Mysterious Origins- Five Well-known Superstitions Explored

The Origin of Superstitions

 

 

Why is breaking a mirror considered bad luck? It was once believed that one's reflection in a mirror reflected one's soul. To break a mirror was considered harmful to one's soul.

Why do people avoid ladders? A long time ago, the triangle was considered a symbol of life. Walking through any triangular shape, ladder leaning against the wall or otherwise, was considered to be tempting one's fate.






Why do people throw salt over their shoulder?  Salt was a very precious, expensive commodity in the middle ages and was widely used for medicinal purposes. If you were to spill any salt, you were then to immediately throw it over your left shoulder to strike the nasty spirits in the eye, thus preventing sickness.
 

 

Why do people knock on wood when they hope something good will happen or something bad isn't about to happen?  Long ago, it was believed that trees were the homes of the gods. When in need of a favor or some good luck, one politely mentioned this to the tree and then touched the bark, representing the first knock, and then the second knock was to say "thank you."

Why do we only care to bless someone when they sneeze? Isn't a cough worthy?   We say "God Bless You" when someone sneezes because it was believed that your soul could escape from your body during a sneeze, and saying "God Bless You" immediately after someone sneezed would stuff it back in.