Common Superstitions: A List of 38 (And How to Break Free)
Superstitions are beliefs that people follow to feel safe or lucky. You might have heard things like “don’t walk under a ladder” or “wear red for good luck.” These beliefs come from old traditions and are passed down from generation to generation. This post, will share 38 Common Superstitions from around the world—what they mean and why people follow them.
We’ll also talk about how to break free from these beliefs so you can feel more in control of your life, without relying on superstitions. Let’s get started!
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Why Do People Believe in Superstitions?
So We Need to Understand the Psychology Behind Superstition
- Fear of the Unknown
Life can be uncertain and scary. Superstitions help us feel like we can make sense of things that are out of our control. - Wanting Control
When life feels out of control, small rituals (like knocking on wood) can make us feel better. They give us a sense of control, even if it’s just in our minds. - Our Memory Tricks Us
We tend to remember the times when a superstition “worked” (like winning after carrying a lucky charm) and forget the times it didn’t. This makes the belief stronger. - What We Grow Up With
If you were taught certain superstitions growing up, you might believe in them without questioning it. For example, you might avoid cutting your nails at night. Because that’s what you’ve always been told. - Movies and Stories
Movies, TV shows, and stories often make superstitions seem normal or fun. This makes us more likely to believe in them. - Even Smart People Believe
It’s not about how smart you are. People believe in superstitions because they help them feel safe and hopeful, even if they don’t make sense.
In short, superstitions are a way to feel more in control and less worried, even if they don’t always work.
A List of 38 Most Common Superstitions in the World
- Breaking a mirror brings seven years of bad luck
- Friday the 13th is unlucky
- Black cat crossing your path = bad omen
- Walking under a ladder invites misfortune
- Knocking on wood keeps bad luck away
- Tossing salt over your shoulder wards off evil
- Horseshoes bring good luck
- Carrying a rabbit’s foot is lucky
- Saying “bless you” keeps the soul safe when someone sneezes
- Seeing a shooting star = make a wish
Most Common Superstitions in America
1) Friday the 13th
– People think Friday the 13th is an unlucky day.
– Because people believe that bad things are more likely to happen on this day.
2) Black Cats 🐈⬛
– So if a black cat crosses your path, it’s seen as bad luck.
– Because some people think black cats are connected to witches or bad spirits.
3) Walking Under Ladders 🪜
– So people try to avoid walking under ladders.
– Because it’s thought to bring bad luck, based on old beliefs.
4) Breaking Mirrors 🪞
– Breaking a mirror is believed to bring seven years of bad luck.
– Because it’s believed that mirrors reflect your soul, so breaking one harms your soul.
5) Avoiding the Number 13 🔢
– So in America, many buildings skip the 13th floor, and people avoid the number 13.
– Because the number 13 is thought to be unlucky and brings bad things.
6) Opening Umbrellas Indoors 🌂
– In America, it’s bad luck to open an umbrella indoors.
– Because it’s believed that doing this causes bad energy or misfortune.
7) Throwing Salt Over Your Shoulder 🧂
– If you spill salt, some people throw a pinch of it over their left shoulder.
– Because in America, people believe that it is a way to get rid of bad luck and protect you from evil spirits.
8) Horoscopes and Astrology Apps 🔮
– Many people in America read horoscopes or use astrology apps to see what will happen in their future.
– So these people do this to feel like they have some control over their lives or to get advice.
Even though America is full of technology and modern ideas, many people still follow these superstitions to feel safer or luckier.
Common Superstitions in Japan
9) Number 4 and 9 are unlucky
– The number 4 sounds like “death” and 9 sounds like “suffering,” so people think these numbers bring bad luck.
10) Cutting nails at night
– Some believe cutting nails at night will shorten your parents’ lives and bring bad luck.
11) Whistling at night
– Whistling at night is thought to bring snakes or spirits into your home, which is a bad luck.
12) Sleeping facing north
– People avoid sleeping with their head facing north because it’s linked to death rituals, and it’s thought to bring bad energy.
13) Hiding thumbs from funeral cars
– When a funeral car passes, people hide their thumbs to protect their parents from dying young, as the thumb is believed to be connected to them.
Common Superstitions in Pakistan
In Pakistan, superstition blends with culture and religion. Many practices are still widely followed.
14) Black Cat Crossing Your Path 🐈⬛
– If a black cat crosses your path, people see it as bad luck.
– People believe this means something bad will happen.
15) Nazar (Evil Eye) 🧿
– Nazar is the idea that someone’s jealousy or bad thoughts can harm you.
– To protect against it, people use blue beads, black dots on babies, or special charms.
16) Chilies and Eggs for Protection 🌶🥚
– Some people burn chilies and eggs to keep away bad spirits.
– These items are thought to protect you from evil.
17) Lunar Eclipses 🌙
– Pregnant women are told to stay inside during a lunar eclipse.
– People believe the eclipse could harm the mother or baby.
18) Broken Mirror 🪞
– By a broken mirror people consider it as a cause family problems.
– People think it brings bad luck or causes fights at home.
19) Don’t Sweep at Night 🧹🌙
– It’s bad luck to sweep the house at night.
– People believe it sweeps away your good luck and blessings.
20) Number 786 🔢
– The number 786 is for blessings.
– Many people think this number brings good luck and positive energy.
21) Crow Cawing 🐦
– When a crow caws, people believe that a guest is coming.
– The sound of a crow is like a signal of someone visiting.
22) Prayer Beads and Taweez 📿
– Prayer beads and taweez (special charms) people uses for protection.
– While these have spiritual meaning, some people treat them like magical items that can solve their problems.
These superstitions are a big part of culture in Pakistan. But Islam teaches that trust in Allah is more important than relying on charms or signs for protection.
Most Common Superstitions in Britain
23) Touch wood
– People say “touch wood” and tap on wood to keep good luck.
– So they do it to stop bad things from happening and keep the good things going.
24) Magpies
– If you see one magpie, it’s bad luck. If you see two magpies, it’s good luck.
– But this comes from an old saying that says magpies bring good or bad luck.
25) New shoes on the table
– Don’t put new shoes on a table.
– Because people believe it bring bad luck.
26) Breaking mirrors
– If you break a mirror, people believe consider it to bring seven years of bad luck.
– Because people believe that mirrors reflect your soul, so breaking one hurts your soul or luck.
27) Walking under ladders
– People try not to walk under a ladder.
– So the shape of the ladder is like a triangle, and triangles were seen as a sacred symbol. Walking under it was thought to bring bad luck.
Common Superstitions in China
28) Number 4 is unlucky
– The number 4 sounds like the word for “death” in Mandarin, so people avoid it because it’s considered bad luck.
29) Number 8 is lucky
– The number 8 sounds like the word for “wealth” or “prosperity,” so it’s seen as a lucky number that brings good fortune.
30) Red is a lucky color
– Red bring good luck and happiness. It’s used in weddings, for money envelopes, and during festivals to attract good luck and keep away bad spirits.
31) Feng Shui
– Feng Shui is about arranging things in your home to bring good luck and health. If things are placed well, it’s believed to bring good fortune.
32) Chopsticks in rice
– Sticking chopsticks upright in a bowl of rice is as bad luck because it looks like the way sticks, people use it in funeral rituals, which means death.
Most Common Superstitions in India
33) Lemon and Chili Hung at Doorways 🍋🌶️
– So people hang a lemon and chili on their doors.
– Because people trust it’s effective to keep bad spirits away and bring good luck.
34) Eye Twitching 👁️
– So if your right eye twitches, people consider it good luck. But if your left eye twitches, they see it as bad luck.
– Because people believe that twitching eyes tell you whether something good or bad will happen soon.
35) Sneezing Before Leaving the House 🤧
– So if you sneeze before leaving the house, some people wait before going out.
– Because Indian people believe that sneezing before you leave means something bad will happen, so people wait to make sure they are safe.
36) Cutting Nails at Night ✂️🌙
– So people don’t like to cut their nails at night.
– Because it’s believe that cutting nails at night can bring poverty or bad luck.
37) Seeing Owls 🦉
– So the noise of owl, it’s usually considering as a bad sign.
– Because people consider owls noise bring misfortune or bad luck.
38) Mangal Dosh in Astrology 🔮
– Mangal Dosh is something people check in astrology to see if two people are compatible for marriage.
– So if someone has Mangal Dosh, people believe it can cause problems in their marriage, so people check for it before marriage.
Common Superstitions Around Lunar New Year
All these are superstitions to luck, fortune, and warding off bad energy during the Lunar New Year.
- Clean your house before New Year’s Day
– To get rid of old bad luck. - Don’t clean or sweep on New Year’s Day
– So you don’t throw away your good luck. - Wear red clothes
– Red brings good luck and keeps bad things away. - Give red envelopes with money
– To share blessings and wish others a lucky year. - Avoid knives, scissors, and breaking things
– These can “cut” or “break” your luck. - Don’t cry or fight
– To keep the year happy and peaceful. - Eat lucky foods like fish, dumplings, and oranges
– These foods stand for wealth and good fortune. - Stay away from the number 4
– It sounds like “death” in Chinese. - Set off firecrackers at midnight
– To scare away bad spirits and bring in good luck. - Open windows and doors at midnight
– To let the old year out and let good luck in.
The Harmful Effects of Superstition on Your Life
Superstition might seem harmless, but it can actually cause problems in your life. Here’s how:
Stops You from Thinking Clearly:
When things go wrong, you might blame a broken mirror or a bad horoscope, instead of looking for real reasons. This stops you from figuring out solutions.
Increases Worry:
You may constantly stress over whether you’re doing things at the “right time” or in the “right way.” This worry takes away your peace of mind.
Blocks Your Growth:
If you blame “bad luck” for your problems, you won’t take responsibility or try to improve. You won’t learn from your mistakes or get better at what you do.
Makes You Rely on Things Instead of Yourself:
You might start depending on lucky charms, rituals, or astrology apps instead of trusting your own judgment or making an effort. This makes you feel less in control of your life.
Even if superstitions feel harmless, they can create real problems:
- You might skip important things like seeing a doctor or therapist because you trust rituals instead.
- So you could live in fear of “bad luck,” which keeps you stuck in a cycle of worry.
- You may stop taking responsibility for your choices, letting “fate” or “signs” decide for you.
Superstition holds you back. Letting go of it can help you take control, make better choices, and grow in life.
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How to Break Free from These Common Superstitions
Think about where your beliefs came from. Ask yourself: Did I learn this from someone, or does it really make sense?
Question your superstitions. Is there any real proof that this brings good or bad luck?
Do more helpful things instead. Try things like saying a daily intention or writing what you’re thankful for—these feel better than worrying about superstitions.
Face your fears, little by little. Try doing things you usually avoid because of bad luck, and notice that nothing bad really happens.
Hang out with people who don’t believe in superstitions. Their way of thinking might help you see things differently.
Know that you’re in charge of your life. Luck doesn’t control you—you do.
If superstitions are making your life hard, talk to a therapist. CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) is great for helping with this.
Take one superstition at a time. Start small, and feel proud when you let go of even one.
Learn why the brain makes up superstitions. It likes to find patterns, even when they’re not really there.
Stay in the present moment. Pay attention to your thoughts so you don’t fall back into old superstitions.
Related- How to get rid of bad luck (13 psychological techniques)
Conclusion
Superstitions show up everywhere. People follow them because they think it makes life safer. But in truth, superstitions often create more fear than peace.
You don’t need lucky numbers, colors, or charms to feel okay.
- Peace starts inside you.
- Inner strength helps you face anything.
- Real trust guides you better than any sign.
If you believe in Greater Allah (God), remember this:
- Allah protects you.
- He writes your future.
- He gives you real blessings—not lucky signs.
- So let fear go.
- Clear your mind.
- Trust your Creator.
That’s all you truly need. And it’s stronger than any superstition in the world.
