Superstitions date back to early man’s attempt to explain nature and his own existence. There was a deep belief that animals, nature, and objects held a connection to spirits and the spirit world. In order to have a feeling of appeasing these forces, different behaviors or customs arose that would dictate a favorable fate and good fortune. Many superstitions have come from mythology, where omens were common.
Number 13
There is a term for fear of the number 13 — triskaidekaphobia, of Greek origin. The term for a fear of Friday the 13th is paraskevidekatriaphobia. Across many cultures, the belief that the number 13 is evil and brings bad luck so strong that many hotels, offices, and apartment buildings do not have or recognize a 13th floor, airports usually do not have a 13th gate, and many people stay home on Friday the 13th. The Chinese and ancient Egyptians believed the number 13 brings good fortune. The Egyptians believed in the 12 stages in life toward spiritual enlightenment. The 13th stage was the eternal afterlife. In this sense, death was not a place of fear but a place of high regard for the afterlife. One theory about why this a negative belief about the number 13 exists that Judas, who betrayed Jesus was the 13th person to be seated at the Last Supper.
Spilling Salt
Historically, it has been believed that spilling salt will bring a person bad luck. More so than bringing bad luck, it is an invitation to let the devil in. Origins of this superstition may date back to ancient times, as salt was used in early rituals and practices. In many cultures, it was believed to be a powerful magical substance. There is yet another Christian belief ascribed to this superstition. It is believed that good spirits exist on the righthand side and that the devil is seated on the lefthand side of God. So, when we spill salt, it is important to throw the salt with our right hand over our left shoulder to keep the devil, evil and bad luck off of our backs and behind us.
Black Cat Crossing your Path
If a black cat crosses your path, bad luck will come to you and can also be an omen of death. In another version, it is believed that if a black cat walks toward you, it will bring you good luck, and if it walks away from you, it takes good luck away. In ancient Egypt, all cats, including black ones, were highly regarded and well-protected from death and injury. It is customary in England and Ireland that black cats bring good luck.
The section on how spilling salt ties into both ancient rituals and Christian beliefs offers a thorough explanation of how superstitions can have multifaceted origins. It’s interesting to consider how these practices have been passed down through generations.
The article does a great job highlighting how superstitions are deeply rooted in history and cultural narratives. The specific examples, such as the different interpretations of the number 13, provide a comprehensive look at how various societies have tried to make sense of the unknown.
It’s fascinating to see how superstitions have been influenced by both mythology and religious beliefs. The explanation about spilling salt and its association with inviting the devil in offers a unique look into how ancient practices continue to affect modern behavior.
The duality in the beliefs surrounding black cats—bad luck in some cultures and good luck in others—is quite intriguing. This shows how cultural differences can shape our understanding and perceptions of the world around us.
The historical context provided for the fear of the number 13 and how different cultures view it is quite enlightening. For instance, the Egyptian perspective on the 13th stage being the afterlife is an interesting contrast to the negative connotations most people are familiar with.