Why It Pays To Be Superstitious

We’ve all crossed our fingers for someone or knocked on wood when we’re feeling hopeful, but did you know that some of the superstitions we take part in every day might not be all hocus pocus after all? In fact, some are very real indeed...

Beginner’s luck

Like many superstitions, this is believed to work on what psychologists call ‘confirmation bias’. If you have never played a card game before, you have less fear of losing than a skilled player, which means you might believe you’re going to win, act more bravely, and actually win – you lucky so-and-so. 

Bad luck comes in threes

In the same vein, humans love to see patterns between things… even if the links are a *little* tenuous. For example, if your phone runs out of battery, you get soaked in the walk home from college AND THEN realise you’ve lost your keys, your brain automatically links the three to make sense of it.

Cross your fingers

You’ve all heard of the placebo effect. Telling someone you’re crossing your fingers for them might not engage some arcane powers from the depths, but there’s research to suggest that engaging in well-known superstitions can promote positive mental attitudes that actually lead to real changes in behaviour and results. Someone sneezes? Say “bless you” – it might actually make them feel better. 

Sporting superstitions

Four out of five professional athletes practise at least one kind of superstitious behaviour prior to a game or match. Rafael Nadal famously performs a number of rituals before playing, including the manner in which he places his water bottles and taking freezing cold showers. While it might seem strange to us, these behaviours have been shown to reduce tension and provide a sense of control over unpredictable factors.

Walking under ladders

Superstitions can be self-reinforcing prophecies. If you believe in the power of it, the effect on you can be very real. Scared walking under a ladder might be bad luck? You’ll feel more anxious if you do it, and potentially act in a more haphazard manner. Although, FYI, the main reason people don’t walk under ladders is: watch out! You don’t know what’s going on up there! 

No umbrellas indoors

This is an old idea – there’s even an ancient Roman story about a woman who opened her umbrella moments before her house collapsed and a British prince who accepted two umbrellas from a visiting king and died within months. Much like the ladder superstition though, this mostly seems to be about common sense – you might poke someone’s eye out!

The number 13

While fears of Friday 13th only date back 100 years or so, the number has been associated with bad luck ever since Judas (the 13th Apostle) betrayed Jesus – or so one of the reasons explains. But you know what’s REALLY scary about this fear? The name for it: friggatriskaidekaphobia. AHHH!

Lucky rabbit’s foot

This is a pretty gruesome tradition that spans back hundreds of years – but does that mean it really works? Well, much like wishing someone good luck, a lucky talisman – it doesn’t have to be the leg of your favourite pet! – can make you feel mentally stronger and prepared. It’s all about belief: if you think it will help, it actually could. That’s magic!

So this Friday the 13th, don’t hide your angst! Follow all those weird and wonderful superstitions that have stuck and you might just create yourself a bit of good luck!