Friday 13th and other superstitions

Where do superstitions come from?

A. The date Friday the 13th is considered to bring bad luck, according to western superstition. But where does
this strange belief come from? One theory states that it is a modern combination of two older superstitions: that
thirteen is an unlucky number and that Friday is an unlucky day. Let’s take a look at other well-known superstitions
thought to bring misfortune to the masses.

B. Breaking a mirror

According to this superstition, breaking a mirror will leave you doomed for seven years. The generally accepted
explanation is that the reflection in a mirror represents a soul, so damaging a mirror corrupts the soul of the one
that broke it. Some believe that the reason for the seven years is that the Romans (who were the first glass
mirrormakers) believed that life renewed itself after every seven years, so the soul wouldn’t be fully restored until
the next seven-year cycle had passed.

C. Black cat

The belief surrounding the luck of black cats varies across the world, with some cultures believing them to be
lucky and others a bad omen. The most widespread belief is that if a black cat crosses your path, you will suffer
bad luck. Black cats have often been associated with witches and during the Middle Ages, these superstitions led
people to kill black cats.

D. Walking under a ladder

This superstition is said to have originated from early Christian teachings – an object with three points represents
the Holy Trinity: God the Father, God the Son, and the Holy Spirit. A ladder leaning against a building was seen as
a triangle, and to pass through this triangle by walking under the ladder was seen as breaking the Trinity, putting
you in league with the devil. Of course, it could simply be bad luck for you and the person at the top of the ladder
if you accidentally knock it.

E. Umbrella indoors

This myth originates from the days when umbrellas were used mainly as protection against the sun in Ancient
Egypt. To open one indoors would be an insult to the sun god (Ra) and invite his wrath on everyone in the
household. Another legend surrounding this superstition is that it was invented specifically to cut down on the
number of accidents. In 19th century England, the umbrella had pointy and dangerous metal spokes.

F. Full moon

Full moons are traditionally linked with insanity due to the folklore that madness can occur in cycles with the moon.
It was thought that sleeping in direct moonlight caused madness or blindness and in Italy, France and Germany,
it was said that a man could turn into a wolf if he, on a certain Wednesday or Friday, slept outside on a summer
night with the full moon shining directly on him. Various facts have been claimed about the appearance of full
moons. Police in Toledo, Ohio (US) claimed that crime rises by five percent during nights with a full moon and a
study by a hospital in Bradford (England) found that dog bites were twice as common during a full moon.