Some people carry a lucky charm, such as a rabbit's foot or a special coin. Some people think it is bad luck to let a black cat cross in front of them others think black cats bring good luck, and they give paper black cats as tokens at weddings. People should not open an umbrella indoors as this will annoy the sun. It is unlucky to spill salt, but bad luck can be avoided by throwing a little of it over the left shoulder with the right hand. A person who breaks a mirror will have seven years' bad luck. Walking on the gaps between paving slabs is also bad luck, and it is not wise to cross on the stairs (= pass somebody going in the opposite direction). The number of magpies seen is important: ‘One for sorrow, two for joy, three for a girl, four for a boy.’ A well-known cause of bad luck is to walk under a ladder leaning against a wall. In Britain the magpie is widely considered an unlucky bird and has been associated with the Devil. Some people believe they will have a bad day when the 13th day of the month falls on a Friday ( Friday the 13th). Tall buildings often do not have a 13th floor instead the numbers go from 12 to 14. The number 13 is considered unlucky because there were 13 people (Jesus and the twelve Apostles) at the Last Supper. There are many well-known omens (= signs) of bad luck, some of which have a religious origin. Most people know which sign of the zodiac they were born under, and some read their horoscope or stars online or in magazines.
People are also interested in fate (= a power that people believe controls everything) and in knowing what will happen to them in the future.
Most superstitions are centuries old, and British and American people have many in common. People learn superstitions while they are children, and though few adults will admit to being superstitious, many act on superstitions out of habit. Many people believe that luck plays an important part in their lives, and they wish somebody luck (= say 'good luck') in many situations such as before an exam or an interview for a job. Culture superstitions superstitions Superstitions are beliefs that certain things or events will bring good or bad luck.
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