Superstitions: What Are They and Why Do We Believe in Them?

“Knock on wood.”

“Step on a crack, break your mother’s back.”

“Find a penny, pick it up, all day long, you’ll have good luck.”

Even if you know (or at least suspect) that there’s nothing supernatural at play, superstitions can influence the way we act and the things we believe — about luck and life, in general.

But what are superstitions, anyway, and why do we believe in them? Psychologist Susan Albers, PsyD, explains.

What are superstitions?

Superstitions are beliefs or rituals that link specific actions, objects or events to good or bad luck — like wishing on a shooting star, avoiding the number 13 or wearing a certain T-shirt whenever your favorite team plays.

There’s no scientific evidence that superstitions are real. But importantly, these beliefs tap into our emotional side, which can override logic and science.

“Superstitions were created to help our brains feel more in control — and even if we know they aren’t real, we often still act as if they are,” Dr. Albers points out. “Many smart, logical adults say they don’t believe in superstitions while at the same time feeling uneasy on Friday the 13th or refusing to walk under a ladder.”

The American Psychological Association says that when it comes to superstitions, “…people can recognize — in the moment — that their belief does not make sense, but act on it nevertheless.”

Common superstitions

All cultures and societies have their own superstitions, many with repeating themes.

• Actions or events: You might believe that breaking a mirror brings seven years of bad luck or that you’ll experience bad luck if you open an umbrella indoors.
• Animals: In North American culture, black cats and crows are often seen as bad omens, while South American folklore warns that crossing paths with an anteater will bring bad luck.
• Tokens or talismans: Some people may carry a rabbit foot for good luck, decorate their homes with “evil eye” motifs to ward off bad luck or hang dreamcatchers over their beds to filter out nightmares.
• Lucky numbers: Many cultures believe the number seven brings good luck, while 13 is considered so unlucky that there’s even a name for the fear of it: triskaidekaphobia.

These are just a few of the many, many superstitions out there.

The psychology behind superstitions

Superstitions are all about making our brains feel safe and comfortable.

“Our brains are wired to recognize patterns and develop them,” states Dr. Albers. “We like it when we can see a cause and effect — even if it isn’t real. Superstitions help us to make sense of the world and to feel safer.”

It’s understandable, then, that even logic-minded people may end up wondering if there’s something real about superstitions. Call it a self-fulfilling prophecy — when your beliefs or predictions lead you to take specific actions that, in turn, cause those beliefs or predictions to become reality.

“If a black cat crosses your path one morning and you think about the superstition that says black cats cause bad luck, then you may be more likely to act in ways that make it seem like you’re having bad luck,” explains Dr. Albers. “You may be more anxious or make more mistakes, which ultimately leads you to think that the black cat brought you bad luck.”

This is also an example of a type of cognitive bias called confirmation bias.

“When you believe in superstitions, you often look for evidence to support them,” she explains. “When your brain unconsciously scans the environment for information that validates what you believe, it ignores everything else.”

The benefits of believing in superstitions

Stevie Wonder once sang, “When you believe in things you don’t understand, then you suffer. Superstition ain’t the way.” But could your penchant for certain superstitions actually benefit you in some way?

Here are a few ways superstitions can be helpful and positive.

May help relieve anxiety

Certain rituals or beliefs can be a harmless way to calm your nerves and soothe some of your anxiety.

“Superstitions can be positive for your mental health when they help make you feel less anxious,” Dr. Albers says. “You might rub a rabbit’s foot or some other ‘lucky’ talisman to feel a little bit calmer, or you could knock on wood to reset your thinking in a moment of worry.”

May boost confidence

Remember how we talked about self-fulfilling prophecies? When it comes to certain superstitions, that can actually be a good thing. In fact, one review found that athletes’ superstitious behavior may help them feel more in control and self-assured when they compete.

For example, basketball legend Michael Jordan famously sported his “lucky” University of North Carolina shorts under his Chicago Bulls uniform. And tennis great Serena Williams has said that she wears the same pair of socks throughout every winning streak, only washing them when she finally loses.

Can connect you to your culture

Superstitions can be a part of shared traditions that help you feel connected to your culture, religion or heritage.

For example, in the Jewish faith, eating apples and honey is said to bring a sweet new year. And in Indian culture, hanging a lemon and green chilies at the entrance to your home is said to keep bad luck away.

“Even if you don’t believe in these superstitions, per se, participating in these practices may feel comforting and identity-affirming,” Dr. Albers acknowledges.

The risk of believing in superstitions

Lending too much credence to superstitions can have downsides, too. These beliefs and rituals may:

• Scare or confuse kids: Children tend to take superstitions literally, Dr. Albers highlights. So, it’s important to be clear with little ones and help them understand that these beliefs shouldn’t cause fear or worry.
• Contribute to anxiety: “Some people start to feel a great deal of distress when their superstitious behaviors don’t ‘work,’ which can create anxiety instead of relieving it,” Dr. Albers says.
• Escalate to other mental health concerns: Sometimes, reliance on superstitious behaviors can morph into phobias or play a role in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). If your superstitious behavior starts to negatively affect your quality of life — like by taking up a lot of your time, energy or money — then it’s time to talk to a mental health professional.

The bottom line: As long as your rituals remain flexible and you don’t take them too seriously, superstitions can be a reassuring and generally harmless way to cope with life’s unknowns. So, go ahead — knock on wood!