Tag Archives: Superstition

Bloody Mary, Bloody Mary, Bloody Mary

Age: 22

Text/Story: “In middle school, we all dared each other to say ‘Bloody Mary’ three times in the mirror. We were too scared to try it alone, so we did it at sleepovers. We thought we’d summon a ghost or maybe just freak each other out. Even though it was a joke, we kind of believed it and it was a huge bonding thing between us.”

Analysis: The Bloody Mary ritual is an urban legend with folkloric roots, typically performed by children or teens. Originally, it was a divination ritual that dared young women to walk a flight of stairs backwards with only a candle and hand mirror in a darkened house. If you saw a figure other than yourself, it was a sign you’d die before getting married (a popular fear at that time). Despite being largely theatrical, it’s a popular choice for social rite of passage: a test of bravery and conformity. In modern times and in modern media, it’s seen as an initiation into friend groups or a scare tactic for bullies. It’s seen as a strong example of how fear and imagination can impact group dynamics and echoes how older superstitions around reflections and spirits have been passed down for generation. It’s not tied to religion but shows how rituals convey deeper psychological and cultural meaning.

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.