Superstitions. Why do we believe them? Who first started the idea that breaking a mirror will give you seven years of bad luck, or for that matter, who invented the idea that bad luck and good luck exist at all? Despite not knowing this, nor the origins for many of the common superstitions they follow, a large percentage of people still follow them. They avoid walking under ladders, crossing the paths of black cats, and even throw salt over their shoulder should they happen to spill it.

These superstitions usually have old origins. For example, in olden times salt was a rare commodity. Extremely valuable, it was one of the first ways of preserving food, especially meats. Thus, spilling any amount would be seen as bad luck, with the solution to this being to take a pinch of the spilled salt and throw it over your shoulder. As to why it was thrown over the shoulder, only the starter of this old wives’ tale can tell for sure.

Not all superstitions and beliefs are bad though. Every year, families gather together to wish each other happy birthdays, blowing out the candles and making wishes. Taking the wishbone out of the Thanksgiving turkey to break it in half, either person attempting to get the bigger half and succeed in making their wish come true. The effect of these “good” superstitions seems to be obvious; bringing family units together and forming closer bonds between them.

The effects of “bad” superstitions are a bit deeper. They affect you only if you believe in them. If you don’t believe that having a black cat walk in front of you will bring bad luck, you are unlikely to even notice said cat. If you are one of those who believe it is a bad omen, you are more likely to not only notice this feline, but also to pay extra attention to everything bad that happens during that day, while downplaying good things.

Many of the superstitions we follow today have long lost their meaning, yet continue to be used. The salt is one example, being a very common household item in most countries. Yet we still will grab a pinch of salt from the pile we spilled and toss it over our left shoulder with our right hand. Despite laughing when asked if they believe in witches, some still avoid walking near a black cat for fear of the bad luck they bring. A foolish notion, as the entire belief about black felines was that they were the familiars of witches, assisting them in the casting of spells.

So what is your view on this? Do you think rubbing a rabbit’s foot will give you luck? If you do… it probably will. For these superstitions to work, they rely on the beholder. In other words… You.