The month of October is full of superstition and frightful festivities. But Friday the 13th is seen as the unluckiest and feared to those who are superstitious. But where does the superstition come from? Of course, many superstitions or good luck routines are passed through generations or friends.

Most people will turn around if they see a Black Cat, avoid stepping on cracks in the pavement and refuse to walk under scaffolding. Here are some of the most popular superstitions and their origins.

13 unlucky for some

Friday the 13th is unlucky: Some people believe so strongly that the day is cursed they refuse to leave their house for of something bad happening.

Friday was the day of crucifixion after this Fridays were regarded as a day of bad luck.

Unlucky number 13: There is a real phobia that effects people "triskaidekaphobia.” Fear of the number 13 can be stemmed from the Christian famous Last Supper. Judas betrayed Jesus and was also the thirteenth guest at the table thus creating the unlucky 13. Of course, there is no clear evidence that this number is in fact unlucky.

Very superstitious

Bad luck opening an umbrella indoors: If it’s raining outside and you wish to grab that umbrella don’t do it until outside the house. Historians believe the legend stems back as far as the Victorian period in England.

In the book “Extraordinary Origins of Everyday Things" author Charles Panati describe the eighteenth century as “Ifa metal-spoked umbrellas with their spring mechanisms become a hazard indoors.

A rigid spoked umbrella, opening suddenly in a small room, could seriously injure an adult or small child. A minor accident could provoke a minor quarrel amongst family or friends thus the superstition was placed upon opening an umbrella indoors.”

A black cat crossing your path will bring bad luck: The Egyptians believed that black cats were lucky, seeing a cat crosses your path would, in fact, bring you luck.

Even in the seventeenth century, King Charles of England kept his beloved black cat until his death. Once the cat had died he declared his luck gone, this was then proven true the very next day when he was arrested and charged with treason. The middle ages however associated black cats with witches, or even witches in disguise.

Seeing a black cat cross your lath was a sign the devil was, in fact, watching you. Many still believe this to be true to this day.

Today people still believe that knocking on wood will prevent bad luck, along with saying bless you after someone sneezes, and even placing brand new shoes on a table will bring terrible luck.
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