Superstitions

• 
  
  A single magpie is considered a sign of bad luck. A Guide to the Scientific Knowledge of Things Familiar recites an old proverb concerning the incidence of bad weather when magpies forage alone and a possible scientific explanation for this.
• 
  
  According to an age old custom, carrying a dead shrew in your pocket wards off rheumatism!
• 
  
  Amber beads, worn as a necklace, can protect against illness or cure colds.
• 
  
  An acorn at the window will keep lightning out
• 
  
  An acorn should be carried to bring luck and ensure a long life.
• 
  
  At times, a horseshoe may be found above doorways. When positioned like a regular 'U' it supposedly collects luck. However, when it is positioned like an upside-down 'U' the luck supposedly drains.
• 
  
  Before traveling a person should, apparently, sit on their luggage. (Russian)
• 
  
  Breaking a mirror is said to bring bad luck for 7 years. To "undo" this, take the shards of glass and bury them underneath the moonlight. In ancient times, the mirror was said to be a window to the viewer's soul. If that mirror were to break, it wouldn
• 
  
  Collect seven or nine different flowers on midsummer eve and place them under your pillow and it is said that you will dream of your future spouse. (Sweden)
• 
  
  If one walks underneath an open ladder it is said to bring bad luck. Sometimes it is said that this can be undone by immediately walking backwards back underneath the ladder.
• 
  
  In some parts of England, rum is used to wash a baby's head for good luck.
• 
  
  It is bad luck to put new shoes on a bed (or a table) (comes from the tradition of dressing a corpse in new clothes and shoes and laying them out so everyone can give their respects) - (UK)
• 
  
  Many believe that if all of the candles on a birthday cake are blown out with one breath, while making a silent wish, the wish will come true.
• 
  
  Once a wedding ring has been placed on the finger, it is considered bad luck to remove it.
• 
  
  Opening an umbrella indoors is said to result in 21 days of bad luck. Some traditions hold that it is only bad luck if the umbrella is placed over the head of someone while indoors.
• 
  
  Placing a hat on the bed is, apparently, bad luck. (South Carolina)
• 
  
  Placing keys on a table is considered unlucky. (Sweden)
• 
  
  Some motorcycle enthusiasts hang a biker's bell from a portion of their bike to protect themselves from evil road spirits.
• 
  
  The superstitious symbolism of a black cat crossing one's path is dependent upon culture: some cultures consider this a sign of impending bad luck, while some cultures consider this a sign of impending good luck.
• 
  
  There are numerous sailors' superstitions, such as: it is considered bad luck for a ship to set sail on a Friday, to bring anything blue aboard, to stick a knife into the deck, to leave a hatch cover upside-down, to say "pig", or to eat walnuts aboard.
• 
  
  Two people breaking a wishbone is said to lead to good luck for the person with the larger piece.
• 
  
  When you speak of bad luck, it is said that one should always knock on wood. Also knocking .