Friday the 13th or 13
First, it was with the number thirteen (13); if that was not bad enough, it needed to have Friday added to it. Many myths and reasons revolve around how the number thirteen (13) has received such a bad rap.
One of the views revolves around the biblical time of Jesus Christ. The count of the Last Supper was thirteen. There were twelve apostles and Jesus Christ totaling thirteen. One of them, Judas, would turn out to be a traitor to the faith. Since that time, thirteen guests at a table has been considered a lousy omen.
A more recent addition to the number thirteen superstition is the horror movie series introduced in the 1980s called "Friday the 13th." In its day, this was a real-life horror film, further adding to the ongoing superstition of the number 13.
To Pick or Not to Pick the Penny up
The miser sees a penny and quickly adds it to their stash, while those who understand the superstition are not so quick to snatch up the penny. It is believed that the penny with a heads-up represents good luck while a penny tails-up represents terribly bad luck. It is unknown, for the most part, where this superstition originated. It is a guess, but the miser may have had something to do with this ole superstition but let's not place blame where it is not earned.
Don't forget this penny needs to be heads-up!
Shoulder Salt
Again we find Jesus Christ and Judas appearing in another superstition. If you look closely at Davinci's painting of the Last Supper, you will see Judas Iscariot has knocked the salt shaker over with his right arm. Due to Judas' betrayal of Jesus Christ, people started to associate salt with disloyalty and lies. Casting salt over the left shoulder blinds Satan, who is supposedly waiting to coerce you into corrupt behavior.
Will tossing the salt over the left shoulder render Satan helpless? One can only look at the past and hope this superstition has held Satan at bay.
Owls - The Dirty Hoot Owl
One of the most magnificent birds known worldwide, and here we find it wrapped in superstition.
Common not just to Americans' but to many cultures to hear the hoot of this feathery critter may foreshadow the arrival of death. They have also been associated with witch doctors and shamans.
A warning to the men of this world, be careful: the hoot of an owl is believed to be the manifestation of a vindictive woman.
In this superstition, people interact with the remains of an owl by using them for talismans or enhancements. Eating an owl's eye is said to enhance one sight and allow one to see in the dark.
Bless Me Quick
Don't be too quick to sneeze in private! It was once believed that evil spirits could enter a person's body when sneezing. A stranger or someone you know saying "bless you" was likely to ward off the unwanted evil spirits. Pleasant of the stranger to throw a "blessing" your way.
Not sure which could actually be worse, but the more common theory is that this superstition originated in Rome when the bubonic plague terrorized Europe. The plaque's primary symptom was sneezing. Supposedly suggested by Pope Gregory, the first, it was a good omen to say a small prayer in the form of "God bless you" after the sneeze.
The common reason for "God bless you" today is a polite gesture, as few know why this superstition came about.
Conclusion
While not all of these superstitions originated in the USA, many are thought to have. It is common to hear an occasional "bless you" from a polite stranger, the "hoot of an owl" in the nighttime, or someone scurrying about at the local convenience store picking up their "lucky penny."
"Superstition is the religion of feeble minds." Author - Edmund Burke
Comments