Category Archives: Folk Beliefs

If I stand like this my sportsbet will hit!

AGE

20

Date of performance

5/1/25

Language

English

Nationality

American

Occupation

Student

Primary Language

Aramaic

Residence

San Diego, CA

Superstition: Where I sit, stand, or how I move affects all sports bet I have. 

Context + Text: The individual is my brother, and he used to be an avid sport better. He used to watch any professional league, from any professional country, as long as he could put a bet on it. He always believed it made games more interesting, and funny enough he developed his own superstition for how he would watch these games. “Sometimes, the team I had money on would be getting killed, so I’d get up to make myself a sandwich, and instantly my team begins to score like they’ve never scored before”. He continued to say he believed that because he got up and made a sandwich, he was changing the luck for his team. “I would literally just sit with my sandwich and not move, and it’s crazy how it works because my bet would get closer to cashing”. According to the individual, he claims that when similar situations like this have happened and he did not stay in the same spot, his team would start losing again. He has continued to hold this superstition for years, and it has led to many funny stories with the individual having his shirt half off standing on the arm of a couch because “his team was playing better”. 

Analysis: This superstition is similar to that of fans wearing jerseys or pants to ‘make’ their team win, but it is a lot more hectic and uncommon. The idea that sports bettors believe the angle at which they watch the game truly determines the outcome is absurd, but can we really classify it as absurd if so, many sports bettors have adopted this ‘strategy’? While it may seem ridiculous to those around them, there has been a community built on weird sport betting scenarios. Some of the funniest examples include not watching the game for my team to win, only watching on my phone or tv (no laptops), and even having to stand in obscure places to make the game more thrilling. While many argue that these superstitions are only adding thrill for the individual, and therefore they believe that they are more involved in the game, I have seen it work for numerous individuals and am getting close to trying out these superstitious rituals. 

Upside down sandals will curse you

AGE

21

Date_of_performance

5/1/25

Language

English

Nationality

American

Occupation

Student

Primary Language

Spanish

Residence

San Martin, CA

Superstition: Leaving shows or sandals flipped upside down or on the side is bad luck. 

Context + Text: The individual is my roommate in college for the past 4 years. He had told me about this superstition his mom taught him about leaving footwear not right side up. “Whenever I got home, my mom always yelled at me to make sure my shoes are right side up, or the next car ride would be bad luck”. He continued to say he truly believed in it and would make sure that no one in his family left their shoes in the wrong position. It was something he believed in so much that he would make sure his college roommates followed the same rule. “One time, I had come back from a midterm, and I didn’t believe I did well on it, once I opened the door home, I saw my sandals were upside down”. That was the final straw for him, and he became even more attentive to his footwear anytime he came home, as he could not afford any more bad luck. He has continued his superstitious acts till this day and has even converted all his roommates to follow suit, so no footwear is left in the wrong position in our entire house. While we may not have experienced bad luck from this situation, his strong belief and emotions about this have made us all believers. 

Analysis: The idea of bad luck stemming from misplacing footwear can have various different interpretations. Some believe that it is a message from the universe for mistreating our sandals and shoes. They protect our feet from the ground and dirt, the least we can do is put them right side up whenever we are done using them. This interpretation is interesting as it gives a life to the shoes we wear, treating them as if they were pets or even human. We must show them respect because they protect us, but it’s just shoes. Another way to dissect the bad luck can simply stem from the annoyance and clutter that shoes can cause if they aren’t set properly. People have bad days all the time but having a bad day and coming home to see your shoes all upside down and backwards can be the final straw. Whether it stems from a dislike of seeing your shoes messed up, or as a respect to your shoes for protecting you, the superstition has made many people more anxious about how they take care of their shoes, and more careful whenever they come home. 

Yellow = Good Luck

Age – 20
Language – English
Nationality- American
Occupation – Student
Primary Language – English
Residence – Long Island, New York

Text: “I always wear yellow when I feel like I need good luck. I have a specific yellow shirt that I wear to bed the night before something important. It’s not just the one shirt though. I have backups of other yellow shirts that I also consider lucky. I’ve been doing this for a while now, and it makes me feel more confident when I’m faced with something stressful.”

Context: The informant shares a superstition about wearing yellow for good luck. They have a specific yellow t-shirt they wear to bed before important events, like exams or job interviews, believing it will bring them good luck. They also have other yellow shirts that they consider lucky. This has become a regular habit, helping the informant feel more reassured before challenging situations.

Analysis: This superstition is a way for the informant to feel in control when facing something important. Wearing the yellow shirt gives them comfort and boosts their confidence, like a ritual that makes everything feel less overwhelming. It’s interesting that they have more than one yellow shirt like having a backup plan in case the main shirt isn’t available. It shows people use small things to feel luckier or more prepared for stressful situations.

Evil Eye

Age – 20
Language – English
Nationality – American
Occupation – Student
Primary Language – English
Residence – Virginia

Text: “I light my evil eye candle whenever I study for a big exam or do interview prep for an internship. It helps ward off bad luck. I don’t know if it really has any power, but it helps me focus and feel like I’m protecting myself from bad luck or negative energy. It gives me extra confidence and a better mindset when I’m going into something stressful or challenging.”

Context: The informant uses a candle with the evil eye symbol as part of a personal ritual before stressful situations, specifically academic or work related. They light it while studying or preparing for interviews. The evil eye is a known symbol of protection in many cultures, and the informant associates it with keeping away bad luck or negative energy.

Analysis: This is an example of folk belief being shown in someone’s personal life through habit. The evil eye symbol comes from cultural traditions about protecting against harm, and in this scenario it’s a reassuring study habit. The informant lighting the candle is done for self-care, giving the informant a sense of control over uncertain situations. It reflects how cultural symbols hold meaning, even when used in personal settings.

Flyer’s Good Luck

Age – 20
Language – English
Nationality – American
Occupation – Student
Primary Language – English
Residence – Syracuse, New York

Text: “Another friend introduced me to a superstition about touching the outside of the plane as you board it. She told me when I was really young that it’s good luck for a safe flight and now I’ve tapped the plane every time I step onto a flight. I take this one pretty seriously because flying sometimes scares me but I do it pretty often.”

Context: The informant learned this superstition from a friend at a young age. The belief is that touching the plane as you board brings good luck and keeps the flight safe. The informant has made it a habit to tap the plane each time they fly. They take it seriously, because of their fear of flying.

Analysis: This superstition is an example of how small habits can help people cope with anxiety. Even though this action has no proven effect, it gives the informant a sense of safety when flying. This shows that folk beliefs stick when they’re tied to strong emotions like fear. It’s also significant that this tradition started in childhood which makes it more meaningful because we are more vulnerable at a young age. This repeated act became a comfort habit.