Many people are superstitious to some extent, but it can be said that most of us are somewhat skeptical. In an age of incredible advanced technology and science, many people believe that there is always an explanation for everything. However, there was a time when superstitions were a part of daily life, and people believed that good luck and bad luck were largely dependent upon a wide assortment of things.
Things That Brought Bad Luck: A broken mirror was good for seven years of bad luck, as was shooting a blue jay. One crow would bring sorrow, eight crows seen together would bring death. If a bird flew into a house, it meant that death would come to that family. Thirteen of anything was always unlucky; Friday the thirteenth was the unluckiest day of the year. The saying “Never sail on Friday” was common. Whistling on the water would bring bad luck, and singing in the presence of the Northern Lights would bring death to the singer. Coming in by one door and leaving by another door would bring bad luck. Rats’ deserting a ship was a sign of the worse kind of luck for the ship. A dog moaning near a house meant that death would come to that family. To dream of a wedding was the sign of a funeral. Dropping the wedding ring at the marriage ceremony would bring bad luck to the couple.
Things That Brought Good Luck: Finding a horseshoe would bring good luck, and people nailed horseshoes over entranceways to their homes and places of work. A rabbit paw was always lucky, as was picking a four0leaf clover. Finding a pin, a white button, or a coin meant that good fortune was coming your way. If a bumblebee flew in a house, a good luck would come to that house. Two crows seen together would bring joy, five crows seen together would bring silver, and six crows would bring gold. Putting a garment on inside out by mistake was lucky. The saying “Find a penny, pick it up, all day long you’ll have good luck” is still often heard.