Superstitions. The scariest and weirdest things you have ever heard all revolve around strange coincidences that may or may not happen. For starters, one of the most common superstitions is finding a penny, heads-side up, meaning you get seven years of good luck. And quite frankly,  who wants that? Let’s not forget about rubbing a rabbit’s foot too. It is said that it will bring you a lot of luck when you rub it. Now, who wouldn’t love getting luck wished upon them? 

But sadly, there are other superstitions that bring the exact opposite. Such as where if you see a black cat cross your path, you will get bad luck. Walking under a ladder or breaking a mirror can also bring such fate as receiving seven years of bad luck. How fun. Another sign of bad luck is Friday the 13th or generally, the number 13. However, some Swifites might be saying that the number 13 is a lucky number, ancient times disagree. The number 13 is believed to be really unlucky, stemming from religious and mythological events. For example, in Norse mythology, Loki, the god of mischief, was the 13th guest to arrive at a feast. Also, in christianity, Judas, the apostle who betrayed Jesus, was the 13th guest to arrive at the Last Supper. 

There are other superstitions that don’t have anything to do with luck. I mean, look, have you ever heard of the bedtime rhyme “Star light, star bright, first star I see tonight, I wish I may, I wish I might, Have the wish I wish tonight.” The rhyme leads to the very popular wishing upon a star superstition. If you see a shooting star blazing across the sky, you make a wish. It’s like a tradition. At birthday parties, the birthday boy or girl blows the candle to make a wish. If you tell anyone about the wish you made, it won’t come true. And best of all eleven-eleven. Whenever it is 11:11 a.m. or p.m., people all over make a wish. Same with blowing a dandelion or tossing a coin into a pond or a wishing well. There is also the wish bone. Two people take the wishbone and pull it apart. Whoever has the longest piece, gets to make a wish. 

Let’s not forget the old famous line, “Step on a crack, break your mothers back.” Many kids from when they could walk would try to not step on the pavement cracks in the sidewalks. It wasn’t because they were scared of breaking their moms back but it was instead a game. It still is to some people. Even adults will not walk on the cracks of sidewalk just for the fun of it. 

But what about a jinx? Another superstition that tends to make people peel their eyes wide open in search of wood. A jinx is where you say something that looks like it’s going to happen but then it suddenly doesn’t and goes the exact opposite of how you wanted it to go. Like, for instance, during the last World Series game between the Dodgers and the Blue Jays, I said, “The Dodgers might win this game.” My mother turned from her seat, looked me straight in the eye, and said “Go knock on wood,” because I might have jinxed the Dodgers chances at winning. Luckily, knocking on wood is somewhat like the cure for jinxes. It keeps the jinx from happening. Look, the Dodgers won didn’t they? 

Superstitions have been around for years and years and years. Some are culturally based like in Germany, it is uncustomary to say happy birthday before someone’s birthday and to look someone straight in the eye when you clink glasses. The world is full of many weird and strange superstitions. They may be real or they may just be really close coincidences that happen consecutively. Who knows? We may never know.