We all have certain habits, customs, and beliefs that we adhere to, and although you may generally consider yourself a fairly sensible person, there are certain situations where you adhere to a certain practice to put your mind at ease. Whether that’s checking the appliances every time you leave the house or even avoiding ladders, you know that most likely, you’ll be fine without these routines but there’s no harm in carrying them out.
To some people, this may seem like strange or out-of-the-ordinary behavior, but to those who have these little quirks and superstitions, it is perfectly normal. Defined as “a belief or practice resulting from ignorance, fear of the unknown, trust in magic or chance, or a false conception of causation,” superstitious habits are something that many of us partake in on occasion.
These behaviors are typically innocent habits that we’ve grown accustomed to doing, either to avoid bad luck and omens or to bring ourselves good luck. These practices are thought to influence what may be coming even though there has been no correlation. 24/7 Tempo has compiled a list of the strangest superstitions in every state by drawing on material from academic journals, books on folklore, digital libraries, and media sources to develop our list.
While we may know we can’t control certain things with these actions, we rationalize that it won’t hurt to do it. We have no control over airline safety, winning the lottery, or whether our favorite team wins, but it doesn’t prevent us from performing some ritual hoping to help the outcome. There are even superstitions that we hope will bring us good fortune. These are the weirdest superstitions people believe will bring wealth.
Many of the traditional age-old superstitions persist even in today’s society and you might even be familiar with them. From black cats and broken mirrors to stepping on sidewalk cracks – no, it doesn’t actually break your mother’s back if you step on one – these are just a few of the habits we take part in. Some superstitions are associated with an unfortunate event that befell a home or a particular place. Here are the creepiest haunted houses in every state.
Alabama
The University of Alabama football fans only sing “Rammer Jammer Yellow Hammer” when they know a Crimson Tide victory is certain. Before every Alabama game, football coach Nick Saban would receive a lucky penny from his daughter, Kristen.
Alaska
Sailors don’t bring bananas on fishing boats because the fruit was known to house deadly spiders. Flowers also aren’t allowed onboard because funeral wreaths are made with them.
Arizona
According to George Johnston, president emeritus of the Superstition Mountain Museum, hikers disappear in the Superstition Mountains every year. Some believe the disappearance of the hikers might be tied to the legend of the Lost Dutchman’s gold, a fortune said to be buried somewhere in the mountain range.
Arkansas
Local people believed Hell’s Half Acre was an extinct volcano, while others thought it was an ancient Native American quarry. Animals and birds will not cross or fly near the area.
California
If you make a wish as two Volkswagen Beetles are crossing an intersection, your wish will come true.
Colorado
In Colorado, if you kill a toad, your cow will produce bloody milk.
Connecticut
To comb one’s hair after dark is a sign of sickness in Connecticut.
Delaware
The Nanticoke people native to Delaware believed the seventh-born child held magic powers, understood the use of medicines, and could cast spells on people and animals.
Florida
When a cow carries its tail upright, it’s a sign that a hurricane is coming.
Georgia
N/A
If a horse’s mane is tangled, it’s a sign that a witch has been riding it. Little knots seen in a mane are called “witches’ stirrups.”
Hawaii
Removal of rocks or sand from the beach, or lava rock from a volcano off the islands of Hawaii will cause the fire goddess Pele to curse you. You may also be cursed by the authorities as removing natural minerals from Hawaii is a crime.
Idaho
Spirit Lake got its name from a Native American legend about Shining Eagle, a young brave man, and Fearless Running Water, the chief’s daughter, who were in love but unable to marry. They ran away, tied their wrists together in a symbolic wedding ceremony, and leaped off a cliff into the lake. People claim to see their spirits wafting across the lake in a canoe as sorrowful sounds fill the air.
Illinois
When Billy Sianis was prevented from bringing a goat to Wrigley Field during the 1945 World Series, he vowed the Cubs would never win a World Series as long as the goat was not allowed in. Known as the “Billy Goat Curse,” it held until 2016 when the Cubs won the World Series.
Indiana
Women used to plant squash and cucumber at the time of the third zodiac sign, Gemini, to ensure a bountiful crop.
Iowa
It is believed that the Black Angel statue at Oakland Cemetery in Iowa City changed from its previous golden bronze color because of a woman’s infidelity, and any girl who is kissed near it at night will die within six months.
Kansas
There have been superstitions associated with weddings throughout history all around the world but in Kansas, it is believed if you boil an egg, fill the space of the yolk with salt, then go to bed, whomever you dream about will be your future marriage partner.
Kentucky
At the Kentucky Derby, it’s bad luck for a horse owner to say to his trainer, “See you in the winner’s circle.” You never want to predict your victory.
Louisiana
Many superstitions and legends in Louisiana pertain to money. To keep money flowing your way, never eat both ends of a loaf of bread — throw at least one away.
Maine
Buttered bread.
Dropping a buttered slice of bread with the butter side down brings bad luck. Especially if you’re hungry. And it’s no longer sanitary to eat.
Maryland
If you walk backward downstairs, you will curse your parents. But if you walk downstairs backward, carry a mirror, and count each step, by the 13th step — if you haven’t fallen — you will see the reflection of your future husband.
Massachusetts
A door painted bright red keeps evil forces and financial trouble at bay.
Michigan
According to the Michigan Lottery, players have won a total of more than $176 million in jackpots on Friday the 13th, which has led people to believe Friday the 13th is lucky. The latest winner won $9 million in 2017.
Minnesota
Underground mining operation.
Miners don’t kill rats because they are believed to be sensitive to vibrations, which may indicate a tunnel collapse, and by killing them you will have bad luck. If the rats start heading for the surface, miners should do so as well.
Mississippi
If you let an empty rocking chair keep rocking, evil spirits will come, or if you get up from a rocking chair and let it keep moving, you’ll get sick within the year.
Missouri
Pay attention to how someone is taking a sip of their beverage. According to people in the Ozarks, thieves always look into their cups before they drink.
Montana
In Montana, it’s lucky to get up early on New Year’s Day, but don’t wash clothes that day, or you will wash away a friend.
Nebraska
When you walk on a new sidewalk for the first time, you should spit on it and make a wish.
Nevada
People claim to hear the crying of babies at Pyramid Lake. The legend stems from a story associated with the Paiute people, who were said to drown premature or malformed babies there.
New Hampshire
Because of a superstitious state legislator, there have been no seats labeled 13 in the New Hampshire statehouse since 1958.
New Jersey
Eating lentil soup on New Year’s Eve is good luck for the new year. This superstition originates from Italian culture and the state has one of the highest percentages of people of Italian heritage in the United States.
New Mexico
Owls have been regarded as bad omens in many cultures and places. In New Mexico, witches supposedly take the form of owls, and the hoot of an owl is said to be a bad omen.
New York
Catholics have patron saints for various causes, but in New York, if you want to get the best offer on your home, you should bury a statue of St. Joseph – the patron saint of real estate – in their front yard. Sellers should pray to St. Joseph until the house is sold, then unearth the statue and bring it to their new home.
North Carolina
After driving across or under Helen’s Bridge in Asheville you will most likely experience car trouble. People attribute these odd occurrences to the story of a young mother who hanged herself from the bridge after her daughter died in a fire. The mother’s spirit is believed to be seeking her daughter at the site.
North Dakota
If you kill a snake, you must cut its head off and bury it far from its body to keep it from coming back together.
Ohio
Couples walking hand in hand at the Oval, a gathering place at the center of Ohio State University, can guarantee they’ll be together forever. But there is a catch – the chimes from Orton Tower must be pealing, and no one can cross your path.
Oklahoma
The Cherokee believe that owls are messengers and are capable of delivering either bad news or bad luck.
Oregon
If you left your house but had to return for any reason, it was considered bad luck and to negate this, you had to sit on your bed for a few minutes.
Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania Dutch believe that if you sweep the house when the moon is obscured you won’t have moths or spiders.
Rhode Island
You are guaranteed to return to the member-supported library Providence Athenaeum if you drink from the fountain outside. If you do return, look out for Edgar Allan Poe’s ghost.
South Carolina
If you’re a bridesmaid in exactly three weddings in South Carolina, you’ll never be married.
South Dakota
Wild Bill Hickock was shot dead while playing poker and had two pairs of aces and eights. This has been known as the “Dead Man’s Hand” ever since.
Tennessee
Coal mining plays a part in the culture of eastern Tennessee and its superstitions. Carrying a piece of coal in your right pocket will fight a curse. When the coal has dissolved into crumbs, the curse has been lifted.
Texas
Some Texans believe that sticking an axe in the ground will stop a thunderstorm. According to folklore, doing this splits a cloud and prevents a cloud burst.
Utah
The number 666 is the number of “the Beast” and signifies the Antichrist, as noted in the Book of Revelations, which is why it might make sense that Route 666 (renamed 491) is known as The Devil’s or Satan’s Highway. Among the stories associated with the highway are maniacal truckers, roving packs of wild dogs, UFOs, and Native American tales of evil medicine men appearing and disappearing in the backseats of vehicles.
Vermont
Witches cannot fly through a crooked window so Vermont‘s “witch windows” were built at an angle to prevent witches from flying in. Other people believe practical New Englanders angled the windows to bring in more daylight and fresh air into a second-story room.
Virginia
In the Shenandoah Valley, people count the number of foggy mornings in August and that is how many winter snows there will be.
Washington
In Washington state, Native Americans believe someone who handles a corpse should eat salmon or sturgeon for 30 days after burial to ensure prosperity.
West Virginia
One superstition that dates to German and Scottish cultures is that after someone dies his or her pictures begin to fade.
Wisconsin
Eating herring at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s is supposed to bring good luck.
Wyoming
In cowboy superstition, giving someone a knife will sever the relationship between the gift-giver and the recipient. To offset the misfortune, the receiver should pay for the knife with at least a penny.
Detailed Findings
Many superstitions that are part of everyday life have no particular geographic connection, like breaking a mirror causing seven years of bad luck, not walking under a ladder, and avoiding black cats. However, the superstitions associated with a particular state or region often reflect the area’s cultural heritage and the people who settled there and live there today.
The origin of these superstitions varies and includes stories from Native Americans; products of local sports legends; or the result of a geographical anomaly. Some have their origins in a tragedy that resonates, and others are customs about holidays such as New Year’s Day. Not all superstitions are bound by state borders, which is particularly true in the Appalachian region, which spans areas in Pennsylvania, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Kentucky, and the Ozarks, which includes areas in Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Kansas.
Methodology
To identify the strangest superstitions in each state, 24/7 Tempo reviewed sources that included academic journals on folklore obtained from the digital library JSTOR as well as stories reported by local media. To be considered for the list, a superstition had to be associated with a particular state or region. In compiling this list, we attempted to inform the reader of the richness of the traditions, folklore, and customs of the diverse ethnic groups in the United States.