19 bad luck symbols and unlucky superstitions around the world

Bad luck seems to be the biggest concern for many superstitious people. Most of us are familiar with the various good luck symbols. But, did you know there are hundreds of unlucky symbols and omens that are still believed to bring misfortune to this day? It is almost impossible to know all of the unlucky superstition symbols, but we have created three lists of superstitious beliefs and ominous omens so you might avoid them if possible.

Bad luck omens: 6 signs of bad luck coming your way

Sometimes, things happen that are out of our control which are omens of bad luck. As if fate has other plans for us. But, we have created a bad luck signs list so you might prepare yourself, and possibly avoid them in the future.

Sitting at the corner of a table

In China, they generally sit at round tables. Westerners are accustomed to long, rectangular tables where the hosts sit at the head on either end, which is considered an honored placement. When there are a lot of guests, someone has to sit in the corner. This is said to be an unlucky sign in terms of matrimony. As folklore says, he or she who sits at the corner of the table will not marry. This often happens out of one’s control, because the seating arrangements in the old days were according to status and wealth.

Breaking a mirror

Breaking a mirror is said to be one of the worst bad omen symbols. It basically sets you up for seven years of bad luck. In ancient times, the greeks believed that their reflection in water revealed their soul. Then, when the Romans invented mirrors, they believed they were being observed by the gods through their reflections. According to their belief, the gods could see right into their souls via mirrors. So, if one were to break it, it was a sheer sign of disrespect. As a result, the goods would send bad luck your way.

Some say, that in order to prevent your fate from being subjected to seven years of bad luck, you should never throw the shards of broken mirrors away. Instead, one should grind them down into a powder and scatter them into the wind somewhere.

A black cat crossing your path

Seeing a black cat is also considered to be a sign of bad luck in many parts of the world. In some cultures, black cats are believed to be associated with witches, evil spirits, and other malevolent forces, and are therefore thought to bring bad luck to anyone who sees them. In other cultures, black cats are seen as good luck charms and are thought to bring good fortune and prosperity to those who own them. Regardless of how they are perceived, black cats are often associated with mystery, magic, and the unknown, and are therefore thought to be somewhat unpredictable and potentially hazardous.

Friday or Tuesday the 13th

The most commonly known bad luck day of the year is Friday the 13th. It is said to date back to the time of Jesus, and the “last supper” with his 12 disciples. The 13th number is associated with the man who betrayed them, Judice. However, Greek and Hispanic cultures believe Tuesday the 13th, not Friday the 13th is the day of bad luck. It is known as martes trece,

Seeing an owl

In certain African cultures, owls are not the mystical creatures many see them as. They are seen as an omen of death. Additionally, owls are associated with bad luck and witchcraft. Some tribes say that if an owl lands on their roof, or on a tree nearby, something terrible will happen to the family who lives there. So, in order to prevent this bad omen symbol from taking effect, they put spikes up so the owls can’t land.

Seeing a single magpie

Seeing a single magpie is also considered to be an omen of bad luck in Ireland. In some parts of the world, it is believed that seeing a single magpie is a sign of death or loss, while in other parts of the world, it is believed to be a sign of bad luck in general. Some people believe that seeing a single magpie is a sign that a curse or hex has been placed on you, or that you are about to experience some kind of misfortune.

The Celtic belief to bring good fortune is to knock on wood, or simply touch wood. Hence the phrase: Touch wood. They say that their gods and good spirits lived in the trees, and knocking on the wood would awaken or summon them.

Bad luck charms: 6 unlucky items to steer clear of

When it comes to our homes, many of us are a little obsessed with trying to maintain its sanctuary status. So, it might be a good idea to keep things out of the home that might bring bad luck. Here is a list of bad luck symbols to keep away from your house.

Keeping dead plants

We’ve all been there. That bouquet of flowers that died a week ago, and is now decaying in a vase in your living room. As superstitions go, some say: Take it out now! They are dead, and so they symbolize stagnant or lifeless energy. Which is not good for a home. Make sure you take the flowers in your home before they start dying so you can maintain uplifting energy.

Placing a hat on a bed or a table

One of the many superstitious objects one can have inside a house is a hat. This seemingly inanimate accessory should never be worn indoors, or they will bring bad luck into the home. Moreover, when a young man takes his hat off and places it on a bed or on a table, it is said to bring bad luck to him, and he may never get married.

Opening an umbrella indoors

There is a superstition that opening an umbrella indoors is bad luck. This belief dates back to the ancient Egyptians, who believed that umbrellas were a symbol of their sun god, Rah. They believed that opening one indoors would anger Rah and he would shower them with bad luck. This is one of the symbols of bad luck that is still believed by some people today.

Charms

During world war two, soldiers blamed anything going wrong in battle on the charms they were given in their K-rations. These were hard-boiled sweets that came in a pack of 10 different flavors. They were meant to be a source of energy, but the common superstition was that they might invite bad fortune. Which is not something you want when fighting a war.

Rocking chairs

Many movies have used rocking chairs as a source of scare material. It is a seriously disturbing site to see a rocking chair moving by itself. However, in many folklores, an empty rocking chair is said to invite negative, or even evil spirits into the home.

Broken clocks

Feng shui is pretty strict about getting rid of broken things in your home. The general gist is they represent clutter in our environment, as well as within us. This is especially the case for broken clocks, as they are said to be a symbol of bad luck. Some say that if a clock has stopped, it will throw a spanner in your efforts in achieving your dreams.

Bad luck superstitions: 7 bad luck things you should never do or say

Some things happen that are out of our control, but many times we do things unknowingly that invite misfortune into our lives, or others. Here is a list of things that cause bad luck that we can try to avoid doing in the future.

Never spill salt

Spilling salt is a biblical superstition that is said to be one of the most unlucky things you could do. If you accidentally spill salt, many cultures believe you have just tempted bad luck.

Now, let’s say you did spill the salt. In order to prevent the bad luck you just accidentally created, there is one thing you can do. throw some more salt over your left shoulder. Acc

Do not walk under a ladder

Walking under a ladder is another superstition that is believed to bring bad luck. According to legend, walking under a ladder is considered to be a sign that you are tempting fate and inviting disaster. Some people believe that this superstition is rooted in the belief that ladders symbolize the path to heaven, and that walking under one is a sign of disrespect or blasphemy. Others believe that walking under a ladder is simply a way to invite accidents or mishaps into your life.

Do not cut your nails after dark

In the old days, a simple task like cutting one’s own nails could be a lethal activity. This was because they did not have electricity to provide light, so they might cut themselves. Moreover, they didn’t have the knowledge about keeping wounds clean, so most tiny cuts would become severely infected.

Do not compliment a baby

In Serbia, if you were to compliment a baby, it might not be met with a grateful thank you. In fact, you might get shouted at, or even shunned. According to their culture, complimenting a baby is one of their superstitious sayings, and it is said to bring bad luck to the child. So, rather keep your nice words to yourself if you are ever visiting that part of the world.

Not replying to a chain letter

At this point, every one of us has received one of those chain emails that asks you to copy, paste, and send on to your close friends. It is said that if you do not forward the chain mail, you will have bad luck for a certain amount of time.

Getting out of bed on the wrong side

If you’ve ever heard someone say: “oh, they got out of bed on the wrong side this morning,” you know it means that person is having a bad day. This relates to one of the many bad omen signs, where getting out of your bed on the left-hand side is a symbol of bad luck.

So, when they say you should get out of bed on the right side, they literally mean the right-hand side of your bed. This will ensure you have a good day and not a bad one. Others do not have the luxury of having both a right and a left side of their bed (maybe their room is too small). So, they make do with ensuring they get out of bed the same side they got in.

Putting your pants on while standing

In some cultures, they have clothing superstitions that one must adhere to. One of them includes putting on your pants while standing. It is said to bring you financial misfortune. So, no matter how tight those jeans are, you should squeeze into them while seated.

Our Key takeaways on bad luck signs, symbols, and superstitions from around the world

The world is full of superstitious beliefs and negative omens. Each culture is riddled with its own version, ranging between seeing birds, or wearing certain garments in the wrong setting. This list of superstitious symbols of bad luck should serve as a reminder, and hopefully, we can avoid them altogether! You can also read our article on how to get good luck if you feel that you need it!

Resources:

1. https://www.scmp.com/yp/discover/lifestyle/features/article/3066518/feeling-unlucky-here-are-13-superstitions-know-about
2. https://www.rd.com/list/unlucky-things-in-home/
3. https://www.scmp.com/yp/discover/lifestyle/features/article/3066518/feeling-unlucky-here-are-13-superstitions-know-about