Text: One of my classmates in my discussion section told me about a tradition she follows while she drives, in which when one of her headlights go out, she taps on the ceiling and center console once for good luck. She recounted that this was an action she saw her mother do when she was younger, and as she learned about why her mother did this, she followed the tradition when she was old enough to drive.

Context: My informant is a sophomore at USC majoring in accounting. She is a local student from LA, and we shared this conversation during our anthropology class’s discussion about protection rituals. As recounted in the text, my informant heard this from her mother, and integrates this ritual into her daily driving routine.

Analysis: While this story centers mainly around protection, I believe it falls into a common genre of how many people look towards outside/higher power in the face of uncertainty. Just as how it’s a common action in movies for a soldier to kiss their cross prior to being deployed, the uncertainty and increased chance of accidence that comes from a car malfunction like a headlight going out is daunting, and having this tradition that you believe will bring good luck can help ease that uncertainty and provide a sense of protection. As such, this folklore exemplifies one of the functions it could have, particularly as it relates to belief and easing worries.