There’s something spine-tingling about irrational superstitions. Whether it’s a fear of black cats or walking under ladders, these creepy beliefs seem to cause us to give pause… even though we know they’re totally irrational. Let’s take a look a few popular superstitions and see if we can’t debunk them once and for all. Are you brave enough to read on?
1. Knocking on wood helps your wishes come true.
Have you ever made a wish and then knocked on wood to make sure it comes true? According to superstition, knocking on wood is supposed to ensure that your wish will be granted. But why wood? There are a few theories out there, but the most likely explanation is that people used to believe that spirits lived in trees. So by knocking on wood, you were actually knocking on the door of a spirit who could grant your wish. Of course, these days we know that there’s no such thing as magic…but it doesn’t hurt to knock on wood just in case!
2. Breaking a mirror means 7 years of bad luck.
If you’ve ever accidentally broken a mirror, you probably held your breath and hoped for the best. After all, the last thing you want is 7 years of bad luck! But where does this superstition come from? According to legend, mirrors used to be made of polished metal which could easily reflect a person’s soul. So if you broke a mirror, it was believed that your soul would also be broken…and it would take 7 years for your soul to mend itself. These days, of course, mirrors are made of glass—so even if you do break one, your soul will be just fine!
3. black cats are bad luck.
This is probably one of the most well-known superstitions out there. If a black cat crosses your path, it’s considered bad luck…but why? One theory is that back in the day, black cats were often associated with witchcraft. So if you saw one crossing your path, it was a sign that a witch was nearby and up to no good! Of course, these days we know that black cats are just as harmless as any other kind of cat…but that doesn’t mean they’re not still creepy AF.
Even though these superstitions are irrational, it’s hard not to get at least a little bit creeped out when one of them comes true! What are some other irrational superstitions that you know of? Let us know in the comments below!
