Why Friday the 13th Is Unlucky and 10 Other Superstitions People Still Believe

Friday the 13th is considered unlucky because several long-standing beliefs became tied to the same date. Friday is associated with the crucifixion of Jesus in Christian tradition, the number 13 is linked to the Last Supper, and the date is often connected to the mass arrest of the Knights Templar on Friday, October 13, 1307. Over time, those references combined into a superstition that still sticks today, even without evidence the date causes bad outcomes.

1. Walking under a ladder is believed to bring bad luck because it breaks the triangle formed by the ladder and wall.

2. Breaking a mirror is said to cause seven years of bad luck, based on ancient Roman beliefs about the soul.

3. A black cat crossing your path is considered bad luck in some cultures due to medieval associations with witchcraft.

4 Spilling salt is believed to be unlucky because salt was once rare and valuable.

5. Throwing salt over your left shoulder is thought to cancel out bad luck.

6. Opening an umbrella indoors is believed to bring bad luck, possibly linked to early umbrella injuries.

7. Knocking on wood is done to prevent bad luck by calling on protective spirits.

8.. Hanging a horseshoe upright is believed to keep good luck from spilling out.

9. Finding a penny heads-up is thought to bring good luck.

10. Stepping on sidewalk cracks is believed to cause bad luck, popularized by old rhymes.

Do you believe in superstitions, and which one of the top 10 do you avoid?