list of bad luck signs

• Breaking a mirror is said to bring seven years of bad luck{{cite web|url=http://www.mirrorhistory.com/mirror-facts/broken-mirror/|title=Breaking a mirror - meaning of broken mirror|work=Mirror History|access-date=12 April 2017|archive-date=13 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170413072419/http://www.mirrorhistory.com/mirror-facts/broken-mirror/|url-status=live}}
• A bird or flock of birds going from left to right (Auspicia) (Paganism){{Citation needed|date=July 2021}}
• Certain numbers:
• The number 4. Fear of the number 4 is known as tetraphobia; in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean languages, the number sounds like the word for "death".{{cite book|author=Don Chang Lee|title=Acculturation of Korean Residents in Georgia|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=avYRAQAAIAAJ|year=1975|publisher=R and E Research Associates|isbn=978-0-88247-360-4|access-date=2021-03-18|archive-date=2021-07-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210704224859/https://books.google.com/books?id=avYRAQAAIAAJ|url-status=live}}{{cite book|author=Soo Kim|title=How to Live Korean|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=grITEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA146|date=17 November 2020|publisher=Quarto Publishing Group UK|isbn=978-0-7112-5709-2|page=146|access-date=18 March 2021|archive-date=4 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210704224824/https://books.google.com/books?id=grITEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA146|url-status=live}}{{cite book|author1=Haru Yamada|author2=Orlando R. Kelm|author3=David A. Victor|title=The 7 Keys to Communicating in Japan: An Intercultural Approach|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KmkwDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA180|year=2017|publisher=Georgetown University Press|isbn=978-1-62616-477-2|pages=178–180|access-date=2021-03-18|archive-date=2021-07-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210704224852/https://books.google.com/books?id=KmkwDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA180|url-status=live}}{{cite book|title=Outlook on Japan|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rqUaaYDNt3oC|year=1991|publisher=Japan Travel Bureau|isbn=978-4-533-01461-1|page=80|access-date=2021-03-18|archive-date=2021-07-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210704224825/https://books.google.com/books?id=rqUaaYDNt3oC|url-status=live}}
• The number 9. Fear of the number 9 is known as enneaphobia, in Japanese culture; this is because it sounds like the Japanese word for "suffering".
• The number 13. Fear of the number 13 is known as triskaidekaphobia.
• The number 17. Fear of the number 17 is known as heptadecaphobia and is prominent in Italian culture.{{cite book |last1=Lachenmeyer |first1=Nathaniel |title=13 : the story of the world's most notorious superstition |date=August 2005 |publisher=Plume |location=New York, NY |isbn=9780452284968 |page=189 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sDXJ1s0YNAgC&q=17+unlucky+italian |access-date=2021-03-15 |archive-date=2021-07-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210704224825/https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/13/sDXJ1s0YNAgC?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=17+unlucky+italian&dq=17+unlucky+italian&printsec=frontcover |url-status=live }}
• The number 39. Fear of the number 39 is known as the curse of 39, especially in Afghan culture.{{cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702303654804576347201745546630|title=A Symbol of Paid Companionship, No. 39 Is Afghans' Loneliest Number|last=Nissenbaum|first=Dion|website=The Wall Street Journal|date=June 15, 2011|url-access=subscription|publisher=News Corp|access-date=March 15, 2021|archive-date=August 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160805042832/http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702303654804576347201745546630|url-status=live}}
• The number 43. In Japanese culture, maternity wards numbered 43 are considered taboo, as the word for the number means "stillbirth".{{Cite web|title=Cats, Numbers and Other Japanese Superstitions|url=https://injapan.gaijinpot.com/play/culture/2012/06/12/cats-numbers-and-other-japanese-superstitions/|access-date=2024-02-09|website=injapan.gaijinpot.com|date=11 June 2012 |archive-date=2012-08-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120823230936/https://injapan.gaijinpot.com/play/culture/2012/06/12/cats-numbers-and-other-japanese-superstitions/|url-status=live}}
• The number 666. Fear of the number 666 is known as hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia. Per Biblical prophecy, the "Number of The Beast", signifies the return of the Devil and Antichrist. Also called the "Mark of the Beast", wherein all humans who consent to have it on their forehead or hand will be eternally damned.
• Friday the 13th (in Spain, Greece, and Georgia: Tuesday the 13th){{Citation needed|date=May 2022}}
• Failing to respond to a chain letter{{cite book |last1=Lys |first1=Claudia de |title=What's so lucky about a four-leaf clover? and 8414 other strange and fascinating superstitions from all over the world |date=1989 |publisher=Bell Publishing Company |location=New York |isbn=9780517694244 |pages=458–460 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=M7Am57E3ZT4C&q=chain%20letter%20luck |access-date=2021-03-15 |archive-date=2021-07-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210704224928/https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/What_s_So_Lucky_about_Four_Leaved_Clover/M7Am57E3ZT4C?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=chain+letter+luck |url-status=live }}
• Giving a clock as a gift in Chinese culture, as in Chinese, to give a clock ({{zh|c=送鐘/送钟|p=sòng zhōng}}) has the same pronunciation as "sending off for one's end" ({{zh|c=送終/送终|p=sòngzhōng}}).{{cite web|title=Cultural China - Festivals and Customs - Taboo 2 - Giving a clock|url=http://traditions.cultural-china.com/en/14T8158T12916.html|access-date=30 April 2016|archive-date=5 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005031242/http://traditions.cultural-china.com/en/14T8158T12916.html|url-status=live}}
• Some believe hanging a horseshoe with the ends pointing down is bad luck, as it is believed that the luck will 'fall out'{{Cite web |url=http://www.indepthinfo.com/horseshoes/luck.htm |title=Luck and Horseshoes Webpage accessed 22 Aug. 2010 |publisher=Indepthinfo.com |access-date=2011-12-19 |archive-date=2019-10-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191029135942/http://www.indepthinfo.com/horseshoes/luck.htm |url-status=live }} However, this is not universally considered unlucky. In some cultures and traditions, hanging a horseshoe with the ends pointing down is thought to shower good luck upon those passing beneath it. Additionally, some people personally believe that this orientation brings good fortune, regardless of cultural norms.{{Cite web |last=Copley |first=Mary |date=2021-01-26 |title=Rutland's Horseshoe History |url=https://discover-rutland.co.uk/blog/rutlands-horseshoe-history/#:~:text=Our%20county%20emblem,%20the%20horseshoe,upside%20down%20and%20bad%20luck. |access-date=2024-12-18 |website=Discover Rutland |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |date=2019-09-12 |title=Bizarre French superstitions you should know about |url=https://www.completefrance.com/living-in-france/bizarre-french-superstitions-you-should-know-about-6304260/ |access-date=2024-12-18 |website=Complete France}}{{Cite web |date=2015-08-18 |title=The Mystique of the Lucky Horseshoe: History and Beliefs |url=https://people.howstuffworks.com/horseshoes-lucky.htm |access-date=2024-12-18 |website=HowStuffWorks |language=en-us}} Historically, blacksmiths—a trade long associated with luck and protection—often hung horseshoes upside down as a symbol of their craft. A superstitious blacksmith and apprentice believe that the luck from the horseshoe will flow toward him or her, their tools, and eventually to whatever project they are working on.{{Cite web |last=Staff |date=2016-12-02 |title=Horseshoes - As Luck Would Have It |url=https://bouldercountyopenspace.org/i/history/horseshoes/ |access-date=2024-12-18 |website=Images |language=en-US}}
• Opening an umbrella while indoors{{rp|204, 267}}
• On the Isle of Man, rats are referred to as "longtails" as saying "rat" is considered bad luck.{{Cite web|title=Did you Know? A Tail About Long-Tails, Traditions and Superstition - IoM Post|url=https://www.iompost.com/our-news/isle-of-man-stamps/did-you-know-a-tail-about-long-tails-traditions-and-superstition/|access-date=2021-07-04|website=www.iompost.com|archive-date=2021-07-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210704224903/https://www.iompost.com/our-news/isle-of-man-stamps/did-you-know-a-tail-about-long-tails-traditions-and-superstition/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|date=2017-04-01|title=Breaking superstitions with a 'longtail' infestation|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-39293529|access-date=2021-07-04|archive-date=2017-04-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170420223402/http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-39293529|url-status=live}}
• Navajo culture:
• pointing at a rainbow{{cite web |url=http://www.navajocentral.org/navajotaboos/taboos_nature.html |title=Navajo Taboos for Nature, Domestic and Wild Animals |author=Ernest Bulows |work=NavajoCentral.org |access-date=March 26, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226112030/http://www.navajocentral.org/navajotaboos/taboos_nature.html |archive-date=December 26, 2018 |url-status=dead }}{{Better source needed|reason=Not sure who these folks are or how robust their fact-checking is |date=March 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2014/07/24/10-things-you-need-know-about-navajos-155993|title=10 Things You Need to Know About Navajos|author=Alysa Landry|date=July 24, 2014|work=Indian Country Today Media Network|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160407024207/http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2014/07/24/10-things-you-need-know-about-navajos-155993|archive-date=April 7, 2016|access-date=March 26, 2016}}
• throwing rocks into the wind
• a coyote crossing one's path heading north
• an owl{{Cite web|title=Owl and Woodpecker – A Navajo Tale|url=https://navajopeople.org/blog/owl-and-woodpecker-a-navajo-tale/|access-date=2021-07-04|website=navajopeople.org|archive-date=2021-01-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128092237/http://navajopeople.org/blog/owl-and-woodpecker-a-navajo-tale/|url-status=live}} flying over a house.{{Citation needed|date=October 2020}}
• Placing chopsticks straight up in a bowl of rice in Chinese and Japanese culture is reminiscent of food offerings left for the dead.{{Cite book|last=Wang|first=Q Edward|title=Chopsticks : a cultural and culinary history|date=2015-01-26|isbn=9781107023963|location=Cambridge|oclc=881469397}}
• Ravens, crows and magpies{{rp|385–386, 243, 386}}
• Saying the word "Macbeth" or wishing someone "Good Luck" while inside a theatre{{Cite web |last=Schumm |first=Laura |title=Why do actors avoid the word "Macbeth"? |url=https://www.history.com/news/why-do-actors-avoid-the-word-macbeth |access-date=2022-10-26 |website=HISTORY |date=3 September 2018 |language=en}}
• The substitutions "The Scottish Play" and "Break a leg" are used instead.
• Shoes on a table
• Placing a hat on a bed{{Cite web |last=Vargas |first=Alani |date=2023-08-06 |title=Here's Why Putting a Hat on a Bed Is Considered Bad Luck |url=https://parade.com/living/hat-on-bed-bad-luck |access-date=2023-09-06 |website=Parade: Entertainment, Recipes, Health, Life, Holidays |language=en}}
• Three on a match{{rp|292}}
• Tipping a salt shaker over{{rp|188}}
• Viewing one's doppelgänger may be considered a harbinger of bad luck{{Citation needed|date=September 2021}}
• Killing a ladybug{{cite book |author1=Cora Linn Daniels |author1-link=Cora Linn Daniels |editor1-last=Stevans |editor1-first=C. M. |title=Encyclopædia of Superstitions, Folklore, and the Occult Sciences of the World Volume II |date=2003 |publisher=University Press of the Pacific |location=Honolulu |isbn=9781410209153 |page=656 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Aft4c9GauRsC&dq=killing+a+ladybug+unlucky&pg=PA656}}{{cite book |author1=Newman Ivey White |author1-link=Newman Ivey White |editor1-last=M. Belden |editor1-first=Henry |editor2-last=G. Brewster |editor2-first=Paul |editor3-last=D. Hand |editor3-first=Wayland |editor4-last=Palmer Hudson |editor4-first=Arthur |editor5-last=Philip Schinhan |editor5-first=Jan |editor6-last=Taylor |editor6-first=Archer |editor7-last=Thompson |editor7-first=Stith |editor8-last=Jere Whiting |editor8-first=Bartlett |editor9-last=P. Wilson |editor9-first=George |editor10-last=F. Baum |editor10-first=Paull |title=The Frank C. Brown Collection of North Carolina Folklore - Vol. VII: Popular Beliefs and Superstitions from North Carolina, Pt. 2 |date=1964 |publisher=Duke University Press |location=Durham, N.C. |isbn=9780822382867 |page=415 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WRd15VPJplYC&dq=killing+a+ladybug+unlucky&pg=PA415}}
• Walking under a ladder{{Cite web|date=2015-08-06|title=Why is walking under a ladder supposed to be unlucky?|url=https://people.howstuffworks.com/why-is-walking-under-ladder-unlucky.htm|access-date=2020-11-25|website=HowStuffWorks|language=en|archive-date=2020-11-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108193156/https://people.howstuffworks.com/why-is-walking-under-ladder-unlucky.htm|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=The Surprising Origins of 9 Common Superstitions {{!}} Live Science|url=https://www.livescience.com/amp/33507-origins-of-superstitions.html|access-date=2021-03-14|website=www.livescience.com|date=19 September 2011|archive-date=2021-05-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210508202617/https://www.livescience.com/amp/33507-origins-of-superstitions.html|url-status=live}}
• Black cat crossing one's path{{cite book |editor1-last=Steffensen Cannon |editor1-first=Anthon |editor2-last=Talley |editor2-first=Jeannine |editor3-last=Debs Hand |editor3-first=Wayland |title=Popular beliefs and superstitions from Utah |date=1984 |publisher=University of Utah Press |location=Salt Lake City |isbn=9780874802368 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NRjXAAAAMAAJ&q=black+cat+path |access-date=2021-03-15 |archive-date=2021-07-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210704224903/https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/Popular_Beliefs_and_Superstitions_from_U/NRjXAAAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=black+cat+path&dq=black+cat+path&printsec=frontcover |url-status=live }}{{rp|294}}
• Picking up a penny with the tails side upThe Lucky Penny Superstition — Explained! https://www.southernliving.com/news/good-lucky-penny-superstitions-explained{{cite web | url=https://www.businessinsider.com/9-bizarre-money-superstitions-people-believe-but-shouldnt-2017-6#1-only-pick-up-pennies-that-are-heads-up-1 | title=9 bizarre money superstitions people believe but shouldn't | website=Business Insider }}

• List of lucky symbols
• Bad luck (disambiguation)
• Theatrical superstitions
• Faux pas derived from Chinese pronunciation
• Sailors' superstitions#Bad luck

{{reflist}}

{{Superstitions}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Unlucky}}

Category:Curses

Category:Lists of symbols