Superstitions of the WorldSuperstitions of the world
Where common superstitions come from and what is really going on: numbers, animals, luck charms, daily life and weddings.
What this site is
Every culture has superstitions: small beliefs about luck, numbers, animals and daily objects. This site collects the best-known from around the world, tells where they are thought to have started and says what is really going on. It is written for curiosity and for conversation, not for prediction. Superstitions do not affect what happens to you. Use the search box, or open a topic.
Topics
- Numbers and dates
- Animals and birds
- Luck charms and signs
- Daily life and the home
- Weddings, birth and death
Most searched
- Friday the 13th: superstition explained
- Black cat: superstition explained
- Broken mirror: superstition explained
- Evil eye (nazar): superstition explained
- The number 13: superstition explained
- The number 4 in East Asia: superstition explained
- Knocking on wood: superstition explained
- Spilled salt: superstition explained
Guides
Questions people ask
What is the most common superstition?
Fear of the number 13 and the belief that a black cat or a broken mirror brings bad luck are among the best known in the West. In India the evil eye and the crow cawing are among the most widespread.
Are superstitions true?
There is no evidence that they change events. They persist because they are comforting and because people notice the confirming cases.
This page reports popular beliefs for interest. Superstitions do not predict or cause anything, and nothing here is advice.