Superstitions of the WorldAnimals and birds
Black cats, owls, magpies and ravens
Animals appear in superstitions everywhere because people lived close to them and watched them for signs of weather, danger and food.
8 entries
Black catIn the United States and much of Europe a black cat crossing your path is bad luck, a belief linked to medieval ideas of witches; in Britain and Japan black cats are lucky.
One magpieA British rhyme, "one for sorrow, two for joy", says that seeing a single magpie is a sign of sorrow; people often greet it to avoid the bad luck.
OwlsIn many Western cultures, a symbol of wisdom; in parts of India, Africa and the Middle East a hooting owl is thought to be a sign of death or bad news, while in other places the owl is lucky.
Ravens and crowsIn Europe the raven was linked to death and war. In India, crows are linked with ancestors, and a crow cawing is said to mean a guest is coming.
Rabbit's footCarried for luck in the United States and Europe, a belief which is said to come from the idea that rabbits, which live underground, were linked with magic.
Whistling at nightIn India, China, Japan and other places, whistling at night is said to call snakes or ghosts.
Bananas on a boatFishermen and sailors in several countries consider bananas aboard a ship bad luck, a belief that is said to come from old ships carrying bananas that spoiled fast and brought spiders.
LadybirdsIn Europe a ladybird landing on you is a sign of good luck.
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This page reports popular beliefs for interest. Superstitions do not predict or cause anything, and nothing here is advice.