By Quicy Bohne
Have you ever avoided stepping on a crack, knocked on wood, or felt a little uneasy after seeing a black cat? These are all examples of superstitions, but where do these sayings come from? Was there a time in our history when we genuinely believed that this could be the difference between life and death? And why do we still follow them even though they aren’t necessarily true?
Although many superstitions may seem harmless, some have had surprisingly serious effects. One such example of this is the fear of black cats. In the article The History and Culture of Superstitions published by The Science Survey it writes, “[black cats] were thought to be a witch’s companion and seen as omens of misfortune. Black cats are commonly seen as Halloween decorations because popular media has embraced the idea of black cats as symbols of evil or witchcraft. Some superstitious people go as far as spinning around three times every time they cross paths with a black cat to prevent the cat’s bad luck from rubbing off on them. Unfortunately, this superstition may have been why black cats have the highest euthanasia rate and the lowest adoption rate. 74.6% of black cats are euthanized while only 10% are adopted.” This superstition can have real consequences for black cats, influencing how people perceive and treat them because of their color.
Another superstition you might hear is that bad things happen on Friday the 13th. Even though this day occurs 1 to 3 times every year, many people still consider it unlucky. The fear surrounding the number 13 stems from religious and cultural traditions, while Friday has also been a day of bad things happening throughout history. In modern times, we can see the impact this unlucky number has on things like hotel floors skipping from 12 to 14 because it is widely regarded as an unlucky number.
So why do we follow these superstitions? A quote from The Psychology Behind A Superstition simply says that superstitions were created to make us feel safer and more comfortable. Maybe that’s why we still knock on wood and avoid walking under ladders. Superstitions may not actually control our luck, but they certainly influence the way we think and act. So the next time you hear a superstition, ask yourself :do I really believe that, or is that just a belief that has been passed down throughout history?
beniciapaw.com 