Friday the 13th: Why We're All a Bit Superstitious (And That’s Actually Fine)
Did you avoid walking under ladders today? Check twice before leaving the house? Or perhaps you did absolutely nothing differently because you're far too rational for such nonsense?!
Well, here's the thing about superstitions on this Friday the 13th : we're all more superstitious than we'd care to admit. And that's not necessarily a bad thing.
Cultural Superstitions
I've lived in three countries now, and one thing that never fails to fascinate me is how superstitions travel (or don't). Take my favourite superstition from Brazil: wearing white on New Year's Eve. Not just some Brazilians – practically all Brazilians. The beaches, street or house parties become seas of white fabric as millions gather to welcome the new year, believing white brings peace and good luck.
When I moved to London, I discovered that mentioning this tradition earned me puzzled looks. "But what if it's freezing?" was the most common response – clearly missing the spiritual point entirely! The British have their own quirks, mind you!
Now in Australia, I've learned about the Aboriginal belief that pointing at rainbows brings bad luck – something that would never occur to most Europeans.
Each culture has developed its own elaborate system of cosmic dos and don’ts, and they're all equally "logical" within their own context.
Why Our Brains Love a Good Superstition
Here's where it gets interesting from a psychological standpoint. Our brains are essentially pattern-recognition machines that occasionally get a bit overzealous. When something good happens after we've worn our lucky socks, our brain files that away as "potentially useful information." Never mind that correlation doesn't equal causation; our ancient survival mechanisms aren't particularly bothered by statistical significance.
Superstitions also serve a deeper psychological function: they give us the illusion of control in an unpredictable world. Can't control whether you'll get that job? Well, at least you can control wearing your lucky bracelet. It's not about the bracelet really but the feeling that you're doing something to influence the outcome.
Sport: When Superstitions Actually Work
Perhaps nowhere are superstitions more alive and well than in sport. Rafael Nadal's elaborate pre-serve routine. Serena Williams bouncing the ball exactly five times before her first serve, twice before her second. The England football team's Gareth Southgate wearing the same lucky waistcoat throughout the 2018 World Cup (until that semi-final, but we won't dwell on that).
Here's the fascinating bit: research suggests these rituals actually do improve performance. Not because they're magic, but because they boost confidence and create a sense of familiar routine in high-pressure situations. The superstition becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Australian cricketer Steve Waugh famously carried a red rag in his pocket for 15 years of international cricket. When asked about it, he didn't claim mystical powers – he simply said it made him feel more confident. That confidence translated into being one of the most successful captains in cricket history.
From Ancient Fears to Modern Anxieties
The number 13's bad reputation has fascinatingly practical origins. Some historians trace it back to the Last Supper (13 people at the table), others to Norse mythology.
But here's what's brilliant about human adaptability: we've created entirely new superstitions for our modern world.
Ever knocked on wood after saying something optimistic? That's ancient Celtic tree worship surviving in your 21st-century vocabulary. Thrown salt over your shoulder? You're performing a ritual to blind the devil – or so medieval Europeans believed.
But we've also developed fresh superstitions: not washing your hair before an exam (apparently popular among Korean students), keeping phones charged to exactly certain percentages, or the modern British classic of "rabbit rabbit rabbit" – saying this three times on the first day of each month for good luck.
The Unexpected Benefits of Being a Bit Irrational
Perhaps the most surprising thing about superstitions is that they often work – just not for the reasons we think. Studies show that people who engage in superstitious behaviour before a task often perform better than those who don't. Lucky charms increase confidence, rituals reduce anxiety, and believing you have some cosmic support can be surprisingly empowering!
There's also something rather lovely about superstitions as cultural connectors. When I wear white on New Year's Eve in Australia, it's not just about good luck – it's about maintaining a connection to my Brazilian culture, to millions of people I shared beaches with, to a tradition that links me to home even when home is 15,000 kilometres away.
Embracing the Irrationally Rational
So here we are on Friday the 13th, and perhaps the real question isn't whether superstitions are "true" but it's whether they serve us well. Do they connect us to our culture? Do they provide comfort in uncertain times? Do they give us confidence when we need it most?
If wearing your lucky blazer makes you feel better about that big presentation, if avoiding cracks in the pavement gives you a small moment of control in a chaotic day, if throwing spilled salt over your shoulder connects you to centuries of humans who shared the same hope for good fortune – well, there are worse ways to navigate this crazy world.
Just maybe don't book any important flights today. You know… just in case.
What's your favourite superstition, and where did you pick it up? I'd love to hear about the weird and wonderful rituals that make you feel just a little bit more in control of this beautiful, unpredictable life.
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Recommending something to entertain you
If you know me, you know how much I adore podcasts!
I am an early adopter of the format and have an extensive library of shows I follow and listen to religiously. Well… one of my fave shows is now back and I need to share it with you!
HEAVYWEIGHT is a podcast created and hosted by American Canadian humourist Jonathan Goldstein where he helps people try to resolve a moment from their past that they wish they could change. The show was originally produced by Gimlet Media, which was absorbed into Spotify Studios.
Goldstein told The New Yorker that the name "Heavyweight" is meant to suggest the emotional burdens that each of us carry around.
The podcast was first released in 2016 and ran for eight seasons. Gimlet and Spotify announced in December 2023 that the podcast would not be renewed and would discontinue production after its final season.
On February 25, 2025, the podcast team announced that they would be joining Pushkin Industries and publishing new episodes later in 2025…
Well, the show is back, and I could not be more pleased!
Here are a few links for some of my favourite episodes:
I really hope you check these eps and the new ones that are coming and (please) let me know your thoughts.
See you next time,
Simone xo
