Superstitions
Black cats are considered to be an omen of bad luck. They have been a supernatural omen since the witch hunts of the middle ages. Cats were then thought to be connected to evil. Ever since those days, it has been considered bad luck to allow a black cat to cross your path. However, what are you expected to do if you have a black cat as a pet?
Many people have heard that walking under a ladder can bring upon years of bad luck. This superstition came to be in the days before the gallows. Criminals were once hung from the top rungs of a ladder. It was believed their spirits would exit the body and linger under the ladder. Folklore states that it is bad luck to pass below a ladder, as you would be crossing through the path of evil ghosts and spirits.
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Rabbits feet are considered a strong good luck charm. They are believed to bring upon prosperity and well-being. The true origin of this superstition is unknown, however you must carry the foot on a chain around your neck, or in your back left pocket for it to be effective. Saying also has it that the older it is, the more luck it carries.
The phrase “God bless you”, when someone has sneezed has often been overlooked. However, it began in the days of the plague. The Pope had declared that all people who sneezed must be blessed, as violent sneezing was a sign of the plague. Most people infected died suddenly. Before the plague struck, it was quite the opposite. Those who sneezed were congratulated, as it was believed they had just expelled evil from their bodies.
Crossing your fingers in hope has been a long standing superstition. It began with Christianity. Crossing your fingers in such a way is the sign of the Christian faith. It is believed to stop evil forces from intervening in our