Superstitions

These are some common Western superstitions. Many of them originated during a time when there were no scientific explanations for events that happened. People used to believe in witches, magic, dragons, and fairies. There are still people who continue to believe in superstitions and live their lives according to these beliefs.

Superstition	Meaning
Baseball Bat	Spit on a new bat when using it for the first time to make it lucky.
Bed	It’s bad luck to put a hat on a bed.
Bell	When a bell rings, an angel has received its wings.
Cats	If a black cat crosses your path, you will have bad luck.
Clover	It’s good luck to find a four-leaf clover.
Knives	If a friend gives you a knife, you should give him/her a coin.
Ladybugs	It is bad luck to kill a ladybug.
Ladder	It’s bad luck to walk under a ladder.
Mirror	If you break a mirror, it’s seven years bad luck.
Salt	If you spill salt you must throw some over your left shoulder.
Umbrella	It’s bad luck to open an umbrella in the house.
Wood	Knock on wood anytime you mention good fortune.
Yawn	Cover your mouth so your soul doesn’t go out of your body.
Itchy Ear	Someone is talking about you.
Friday the 13th	This day is traditionally unlucky unless you were born on it.

Comprehension Questions:

1. What should you do to a bat to make it lucky?

2. What shouldn’t you put on a bed?

3. How can cats be unlucky?

4. What kind of clover is good luck?

5. If a friend gives you a knife, what should you give in return?

6. How can ladders be unlucky?

7. How can ladybugs be unlucky?

8. What can give you seven years bad luck?

9. If you spill salt, what should you do?

10. How can umbrellas be unlucky?

11. When should you knock on wood?

12. What should you do when you yawn?

13. What does an itchy ear mean?

14. How can Friday the 13th be lucky?