Superstitions have been around almost since the dawn of man. Good luck or bad luck, we’ve all had our fair share. Statistics state that most people practice a little bit of superstition at least once a week. But what are the most common superstitions? Having been born on the 13th of December the author has consistently been told how unfortunate he is, but to him the number 13 has been a very lucky number. The superstition about the number 13 dates right back to the primitive days when man noticed he had ten toes and two feet. He thought that anything more than ten must be unlucky. And if you take notice next time you book a room in a hotel or motel, you will note that the 13th floor tends to be missing and so does a 13th room.

Four leaf clovers:

The Irish tend to think that finding a four leaf clover is good luck. Some think that those who find a four leaf clover will know great wealth, fame, health and a faithful relationship. If you find a four leaf clover on St Patrick’s day you are said to be the recipient of twice as much luck. The author’s son found two four leaf clovers in one day and tucked them into my shoes before I performed in a talent show. To his surprise he won two awards that day! Obviously the son was delighted.

Don’t walk under a ladder:

A plethora of people fear walking under ladders. It is said that if you walk under a ladder which is propped up against a wall or the outside of a building the base of the ladder forms a triangle. This is supposedly the sign of the “Holy Trinity” which many people believe that you must never ever violate. While some may believe this superstition, the author won’t walk under a ladder because he doesn’t wish to be hit on the head by anything which may fall a rung of the ladder such as paint. Besides ladders have been known to collapse.

Lucky rabbit’s feet:

Living in Australia the author has been given a host of rabbits feet for good luck. This superstition transcends from the way a rabbit actually runs. The back feet touch the ground first and this is said to be very odd indeed. Thus rabbit’s feet are said to be lucky if the feet are given to you. Perhaps the author has been given the feet of lame rabbits. They certainly haven’t bought any luck to this gentleman.

Don’t break a mirror:

Ever notice how a person will freak out if they break a mirror? This is said to bring a person seven years of bad luck. This superstition goes back to Celtic times. It was thought that because mirrors reflect your image if a mirror was broken your soul was broken as well. Apparently the soul would then be angered and react by giving you the seven years of bad luck as punishment.

Don’t open an umbrella indoors:

Have you ever opened an umbrella indoors to have someone screech at you “Shut that thing right now?” It is said that if you open an umbrella indoors bad luck will follow you for years. Many superstitious people believe that when you open an umbrella indoors you are inviting the storms.

Horseshoes are lucky:

Found a horseshoe? This is supposed to be very good luck because the iron that is used to make horseshoes is supposed to protect you against all evil. That is why many people hang a horseshoe over the front door of their house, they are hoping to ward off any evil presence. But you must make a wish, spit on both ends of it, then toss it over your left shoulder and leave it where it falls for a week.

Oh no you spilled the salt!

Spilled salt on the table? Toss some over your left shoulder and you are said to invite luck into your life. Spilled salt is said to be bad luck because the first person to have spilled salt was supposedly Judas at the Last Supper. He betrayed Jesus and therefore spilled salt was then said to have been a hostile gesture. As you toss the salt over your shoulder you are supposed to say “ With this case may ill luck pass.”

Chirping crickets:

If a cricket is chirping in your house leave him to it. This is supposed to a sign of good luck yet to come. But once you actually find the cricket evict it immediately otherwise the luck will not last.

Knock on wood:

One of the oldest superstitions is the knock on wood one. Knocking on wood is supposed to reverse bad luck. As you can see there are a host of commons superstitions people still believe to this very day.