9 Superstitions and Their History

Everyone knows and/or believes in superstitions, but do you know where they came from? If you don’t, no worries. Not a lot of people do. Hell, I didn’t either until I started doing research for my podcast. (All Things Creepy wherever you listen to podcasts, if you’re interested.) So here are some well-known and not-so-well-known superstitions and their history.

1. Knocking on Wood

This one has two different origins. The first comes from Europe in the medieval times. Churches would claim that they had wood from the cross Jesus was nailed to. Church goers would touch said wood to gain good luck. Since the wood had a connection to Jesus, then good must come from it.

The second origin story comes from a time when people believed that their gods lived in trees. These people would ask one of these beings for a favor by knocking on the bark of the tree. If the favor was granted, the person who asked for it must go back to the same tree and knock on it again as a way to say thank you.

2. Don’t Toast Water

This one is popular in Germany. They believe that if you toast with water then your friends will die. However, this superstition originated in Ancient Greece rather than Germany. In Greek mythology, the dead would drink from the river in Hades. On voyages, sailors would toast the dead with a glass of water.

3. Opening an Umbrella Indoors

Most people are probably familiar with this one, so you probably know that it brings you bad luck. Apparently it also brings bad luck if you leave it open to dry.

The certain origin of this superstition is unknown. There is one popular theory, though. Back during the times where umbrellas were big, sturdy, and hard to open, there was a great chance that the umbrella would damage something in the house. No one wants to damage anything in their house.

4. Walking Under a Ladder

Another with two possible origins. The first derives from the Christian belief in the Holy Trinity. When a ladder is leaning against a wall, it forms a triangle, so walking under it breaks the shape. Thus, making it blasphemous.

The second comes from the resemblance to medieval gallows. Which are pretty freaking scary, if you ask me.

5. Spilling Salt, Followed by Tossing Some Over the Left Shoulder

This superstition dates all the way back to 3500 BC with the ancient Sumerians. They would throw a pinch of salt over their left shoulder for good luck. Also, salt has always been an important seasoning for food. Some people even equated it to money and wealth.

6. Black Cats

If a black cat crosses your path, you’re in for some bad luck. This origin was pretty obvious as soon as I read about it.

The belief started with various parts of Europe in the Middle Ages. People believed that black cats were witches’ familiars or the witch themselves in disguise. Since witches were associated with evil and devils, if you had happened to cross one it meant that the devil was watching you.

7. The Number Thirteen

Now this is more so about the number thirteen rather than Friday the Thirteenth. My personal favorite origin is from Norse mythology. Twelve gods were invited to a party at Valhalla in Asgard. Loki arrived unannounced, making the guest count now thirteen. When the rest tried to kick him out, there was a struggle that led to the god, Balder’s, death.

The other origin comes from, you guessed it, Christianity. At the Last Supper, Judas was the thirteenth guest. He was also the one who betrayed Jesus. And we all know what happened at the end of that story.

8. Stepping on a Crack

This superstition comes from European- and African-american folklore. Cracks are considered openings into other worlds, so if you step on one then you or a family member will experience health issues. If the crack is in a wall, then it’ll allow ghosts and faeries to enter your house. Stepping on an ant colony in a crack means rain. And grass growing means winter will be bad.

9. Seeing a Hearse

Basically, if you see one, then you or someone close to you will die soon. This one dates back to the Victorian era when hearses were horse-drawn carriages. To avoid being the next to die, the person would hold a button either until the hearse passed or they saw a bird. Another belief stated that if someone saw a hearse drawn by two horses, especially white ones, it meant a death in the neighborhood would occur very soon.