Popular Superstitions and Their Origins

People fear what they don't understand and from that fear certain rituals, or superstitions, have been practiced throughout time as a form of protection from these unknown fears. Although most of the superstitions from the past have since been proven by science as unnecessary, ineffective, or simply ridiculous, many are still religiously practiced today by very intelligent and sane people. Following is a list of some of those superstitions and why they were originally started in the first place.

Breaking a Mirror - Even today, when someone breaks a mirror their first thought is that they have just brought upon themselves some unwanted bad luck. It was once believed that one's reflection in a mirror represented their soul. If you were to break that reflection, it would then be harmful to your soul.

Walking Under a Ladder - Most people believe this to be just common sense, in case the ladder falls while you are passing under it. But that is not how it got its start. A very long time ago, the triangle was considered a symbol of life. Walking through any triangular shape, ladder leaning against a wall or otherwise, was considered to be tempting one's fate.

Knock on Wood - Few people know why they do it, but still today when we mention something good that is supposed to happen in the future, many of us "knock on wood" twice to keep from jinxing the expected good fortune. Once upon a time, it was thought that trees were the homes of the gods. When in need of a favor or some good luck, one politely mentioned this wish to a tree and then touched the bark, representing the first "knock." The second "knock" was to say "thank you."

Friday the 13^th - This superstition comes directly from Christianity although many unreligious people are still very careful about making decisions or taking any action whenever this day and date coincide, usually two or three times each year. There were thirteen people at The Last Supper. Judas, the betrayer of Christ, was the 13^th guest. Christians also claimed that at satanic ceremonies, there were always twelve witches and one devil present. Then it was on a Friday when Christ died. But even before that, it was a Friday when Adam and Eve were banished from the Garden of Eden and it was also on Friday when Noah's great flood began. So the combination of the two, Friday and the 13^th, was deemed as the unluckiest day on the calendar.

Black Cats - In the Middle Ages, black cats were believed to be the companions of witches. After seven years, these cats were believed to then turn into witches, devils or demons themselves. No one wanted to cross paths with a witch or a demon, hence, when a black cat crosses your path, it might be safest to just turn around and find a different route to where ever it was you were headed.

Trick or Treat - The Druids believed that on October 31^st, the dead rose from their graves to revisit their old homes. The frightened villagers would put out offerings of fruits and nuts to keep the wandering souls from destroying their homes and property. Today we no longer practice this superstition, but instead we make light of it by dressing our children up (many of them AS the dead) and sending them out to collect goodies from our (no longer fearful) neighbors.

God Bless You - Did you ever wonder why people say "God Bless You" whenever someone sneezes? During the sixth century, it was believed that a sneeze expelled evil spirits from the body. Later, when a great plague took hold of Europe, and people began sneezing violently, the Pope passed a new law pertaining to sneezes. At that time, since sneezing meant that the person was going to die of the plague, people were required to bless the sneezer. It was then later believed that your soul could escape your body though a sneeze and that by saying "God Bless You," you could immediately stuff it back inside where it belonged.

Spilling Salt - Although some people believe that Judas spilt salt during the last supper, this claim can't be proven. Salt was a very precious, expensive commodity in the middle ages and was widely used for medicinal purposes. If you were to spill any salt, you were then to immediately throw it over your left shoulder to strike the nasty spirits in the eye, thus preventing sickness.

Lucky Rabbit's Foot - This is one of man's oldest superstitions, some say dating back as early as 600 BC. Because rabbits and hares are such prolific breeders, they became a symbol of fertility. Carrying a rabbit's foot with you and rubbing it often was said to provide good luck, good crops, many children, and prosperity.

Opening an Umbrella Inside - This superstition comes from the idea that an umbrella is a protector against the storms of life. If you were to open one in your home, the household guardian spirits might think you felt their protection was insufficient, and then they'd leave in a huff. Everyone in the house would then be cursed without the spirit protection.

These are just a few of the more common superstitions and rituals that many people still practice today. Although I believe in none of them myself, I'd still probably not be able to help but feel a little bit insecure if I sneezed when a black cat crossed my path as I walked under a ladder on Friday the 13^th. How about you?