Four Superstitions Many People Believe
Whether it's lucky numbers or unlucky animals, many people believe in superstitions. In 2003, Richard Wiseman of the University of Hertfordshire asked more than 2,000 people in the UK about it, and 77% said they were at least a little superstitious.
Here are some superstitions that many people believe around the world.
Many cultures believe the number 13 is unlucky. In the West, this may come from the Bible, which says there were 13 guests at the Last Supper before Jesus was killed. Friday the 13th is also considered an unlucky date, possibly because Jesus was killed on a Friday.
Some buildings even leave out the 13th floor, often by calling it something else, like "12A" or "M" — the 13th letter of the alphabet.
Black cats have long been associated with evil in Western culture, and are still seen as unlucky — especially if one walks in front of you. A 2014 survey by YouGov found that 19% of Americans believed this would bring bad luck.
Some people believe that breaking a mirror will bring you seven years of bad luck. This superstition may come from the old idea that mirrors contained not only a person's appearance, but also their soul. So when you break a mirror, you "break" your soul.
Walking under a ladder is also said to bring bad luck. This superstition may come from Christianity, too. When a ladder is put up against a wall it makes a triangle, which represents the Holy Trinity of God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Walking under the ladder can be thought of as breaking the triangle, or disrespecting God.
