1. Break a Mirror = 7 Years of Bad Luck
Breaking a mirror still makes people pause. The superstition that it brings seven years of bad luck has roots in ancient Roman beliefs. They thought mirrors reflected not just your face, but your soul. Breaking it? That meant damaging your spirit. The “seven years” part ties into their belief that the body and soul renew every seven years. Even now, people react strongly when a mirror cracks. Some bury the pieces or rinse them in running water. It’s not just about bad luck, it’s about something deeper we can’t quite name but still quietly respect.
2. Throw Salt Over Your Shoulder After Spilling It
Spill salt? You’ll often see someone toss a pinch over their left shoulder. It’s an old move meant to blind the devil, who’s said to lurk there. Salt has been seen as a purifier in many cultures, and spilling it was once considered a bad omen. Even Leonardo da Vinci painted spilled salt as a symbol of betrayal. These days, it’s mostly habit, but one people rarely skip. Whether you’re superstitious or just cautious, that little sprinkle still gives a sense of control over unseen forces, especially in kitchens where so many old traditions live on.
3. Only Pick Up a Penny If It’s Heads-Up
You spot a penny on the sidewalk. If it’s heads-up, many say it’ll bring luck, but tails-up? Better to leave it. This belief goes way back to ancient Rome when coins were thought to carry spiritual power. Even today, people flip it to heads before picking it up, just to be safe. It’s not about the value, it’s about superstition and a tiny shot of hope. Some tuck found coins into their wallets for luck. A small habit, sure, but one that makes the everyday world feel just a little more magical. It’s a tradition.
4. Hold Your Breath Passing a Cemetery
You’re driving past a cemetery and suddenly find yourself holding your breath. It’s almost automatic. This old belief comes from the idea that spirits roam graveyards, and breathing near them could invite one into your body. Kids still do it like it’s a game, but adults sometimes find themselves doing it too, especially at night. Some say it’s about respect, others about fear, but it lingers either way. While most don’t believe in ghosts, holding your breath just feels like the polite or protective thing to do when you’re that close to the other side.
5. Knock on Wood to Prevent a Jinx
You say something hopeful, then immediately knock on wood. It’s almost second nature. This tradition goes back to ancient times when people believed spirits lived in trees. Knocking was a way to summon their protection or avoid tempting fate. Even today, people across different countries still do it on tables, doors, or even dashboards. The act feels silly to some, but comforting to many. It’s a tiny pause between hope and worry, just in case the universe is listening. Call it insurance for your luck, sealed with a gentle rap of your knuckles. It’s a tradition.
6. Don’t Trim Nails at Night
In many cultures, trimming your nails at night is believed to invite death or misfortune. This superstition is common in Japan, India, and parts of Eastern Europe. Originally, it likely came from practical concerns, since poor lighting could lead to injury, but over time, it took on darker meanings. Some say cutting nails at night shortens your life or severs ties with loved ones. Even now, older family members might frown if you reach for nail clippers after dark. Whether it’s superstition or tradition, many people still save their manicures for daylight hours, just to be safe.
7. Put Coins in a New Wallet or Purse
Gifting a wallet or purse? Tradition says it should never be empty. Adding coins, or even a small bill, is believed to attract abundance and ward off financial misfortune. This practice shows up in cultures around the world, from Asia to Europe. It’s a gesture that says, “May your wallet never be empty.” Even people who aren’t superstitious still do it, seeing it as good manners. For birthdays, weddings, or graduations, you’ll find folks slipping money into wallets with a quiet blessing for prosperity. It’s a small act that carries hopes bigger than cash. It’s a tradition.
8. No Whistling Indoors at Night
You might get a sharp “Stop that!” if you whistle indoors after sunset. In places like Russia, Japan, and Turkey, nighttime whistling is said to summon spirits, thieves, or even snakes. It’s one of those superstitions passed down through families, sometimes with a warning glance, sometimes with a nervous laugh. Some believe it invites bad fortune, especially if done near doors or windows. While many brush it off, the idea still lingers, especially among elders. So, if you’re humming a tune late at night, don’t be surprised if someone tells you to zip it. It’s a tradition.
9. Washing Hands After a Funeral (Outside)
In Jewish, Hindu, and Japanese traditions, washing your hands after attending a funeral, especially before entering your home, is a spiritual act of cleansing. The idea is to rinse away any lingering energy from the dead, not just dirt. In some customs, water is poured without touching the faucet, symbolizing a full spiritual release. Even people who don’t observe the full ritual still feel the urge to wash up afterward. It’s less about fear and more about transition, a way to mark leaving behind sorrow before stepping back into the everyday. It’s a tradition that still lives quietly.
10. Don’t Compliment a Baby Without a Gesture or Charm
In many Mediterranean and South Asian cultures, complimenting a baby without a protective gesture is said to attract the evil eye. You might see parents respond to praise with a phrase like “Mashallah” or pin a small charm on the baby’s clothing. The idea is that pure admiration, without spiritual cover, could bring jealousy or illness. Even in Western homes, some families whisper blessings or touch wood after compliments. It’s more about protection than paranoia, and in many homes, it’s passed down gently, like a lullaby. These little customs still wrap around babies like invisible armor.
11. Step on a Crack, Break Your Mother’s Back
It started as a playground chant, but it’s older than you think. The rhyme “Step on a crack, break your mother’s back” comes from deeper folklore about balance, order, and unseen harm. In some traditions, cracks in the earth were believed to be entry points for spirits. Avoiding them meant keeping bad energy away. While most kids chant it just for fun, it’s funny how even adults sometimes skip over cracks on sidewalks. It’s part nostalgia, part habit. In the end, it’s one of those beliefs we carry more with our feet than with our hearts.
12. Open an Umbrella Indoors and Invite Misfortune
You’re indoors, it’s raining, and you open an umbrella—and someone gasps. The idea that this brings bad luck is still surprisingly common. Its roots may lie in Victorian times when early umbrellas were spring-loaded and dangerous to open in tight spaces. Over time, the warning shifted from safety to superstition. Some believe it blocks good energy, others say it invites a string of bad events. Even people who don’t believe still hesitate. It’s one of those habits passed down like a rule of etiquette—quiet, unquestioned, and oddly powerful. It’s a tradition that still lives in many homes.
7 Superstitions That Were Never Really Superstitions
Not all superstitions are as old or meaningful as they seem. While some beliefs—like tossing salt over your shoulder or fearing Friday the 13th—have deep cultural roots, others snuck into popular culture by accident, misunderstanding, or pure rumor.
These 7 so-called “superstitions” were never widely believed, never had real traditions behind them, or were simply invented as jokes, movie tropes, or marketing gimmicks. Let’s set the record straight.
13. Cracking Your Knuckles Causes Arthritis
It’s one of those things parents say to stop you from doing it. But there’s no scientific evidence that cracking your knuckles causes arthritis. According to studies published in Harvard Health and other journals, the popping sound is just gas bubbles escaping the joint, not damage. It might annoy people around you, but it won’t ruin your hands. Still, the myth has lingered for generations, maybe because it sounds like it should be true. So go ahead and stretch those fingers. Just maybe not during a quiet movie night. It’s a small detail, but one that sticks.
14. Saying “Bloody Mary” in the Mirror Summons a Spirit
This legend thrives at sleepovers, but it’s not an ancient superstition, it’s just a scary game. Chanting “Bloody Mary” in front of a mirror is a modern invention, popularized in the 1970s and later hyped by horror movies. There’s no cultural or historical basis for it. According to Live Science, the fear comes from human psychology—staring at your reflection in dim light can cause visual distortions. It’s not spirits, it’s science. Still, the game lives on in dark bathrooms, daring kids to try it. More fun than fact, it’s just a spooky thrill. It’s a small detail.
15. You Swallow 8 Spiders a Year in Your Sleep
This “fact” spread like wildfire on the internet, but it’s completely made up. According to Scientific American, the chances of a spider crawling into your mouth while you sleep are incredibly slim. Spiders avoid people, vibrations, and warm breath. The myth was originally used to show how easily misinformation spreads online. And it worked, people believed it for years. Even knowing it’s fake, some still sleep with their mouths closed. But rest easy: your nighttime snack menu does not include arachnids. It’s a small detail, but one that still lingers in everyday conversations. Sleep tight.
16. Waking at 3:00 a.m. Means Something Supernatural Is Watching
Waking up at 3:00 a.m. can feel eerie, especially if you’ve heard it called the “witching hour.” But there’s no ancient superstition supporting this idea. The fear mostly comes from horror movies and viral TikTok stories. In reality, 3:00 a.m. is just when your body hits its lowest energy point in the sleep cycle. According to Psychology Today, it’s common to wake briefly at this time. But the mind can make anything feel spookier in the dark. Spirits aren’t clocking in at 3 a.m., you’re probably just stressed or need water. It’s a small detail, but one that lingers.
17. Cats Steal Your Breath While You Sleep
This one’s more folklore than fact, and not even a consistent one. Some old stories claimed that cats could steal a baby’s breath while sleeping, likely due to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) being poorly understood at the time. But there’s no real tradition or superstition behind it. According to Snopes, cats may snuggle close for warmth or comfort, not to harm. Still, the myth persists in whispers, especially among older generations. In truth, cats pose no breath-stealing risk. If anything, they’re just looking for a soft spot to nap on. It’s a small detail, but it stuck.
18. Pop Rocks and Soda Will Make You Explode
Remember when kids said you’d explode if you ate Pop Rocks and drank soda? That myth exploded bigger than the candy ever could. The tale even claimed a kid actor died from it, false of course. The FDA had to step in during the 1980s to calm parents. Pop Rocks release carbon dioxide, creating a fizzy burst in your mouth, but it’s totally safe. The candy’s inventor even ate six packs at once to prove the point. It was never a superstition, just another snack panic with a loud, sugary crunch. It’s a small detail, but one that pops up.
19. Don’t Go Outside With Wet Hair or You’ll Catch a Cold
We’ve all heard this one: don’t step outside with wet hair or you’ll catch a cold. But scientifically, that’s not how it works. Colds are caused by viruses, not cool air or damp scalps. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, while being cold may slightly lower your immune defenses, it doesn’t directly make you sick. This belief came more from moms and grandmas concerned for your comfort than from any spiritual or cultural system. So go ahead and air-dry outside, just maybe grab a hoodie if there’s a chill. It’s a small detail, but it lingers.
This story 12 Superstitions People Still Believe And 7 That Were Never Real to Begin With was first published on Daily FETCH
