It’s Friday the 13th, which many people consider bad luck. There is a bit of history behind the number 13 and Friday the 13th. However, it got me thinking about financial superstitions that many people still believe to this day. Here are a few you may or may not know.
Why is Friday the 13th Unlucky?
If you do some digging into the history of Friday the 13th, there are a number of theories as to why people consider the day to be unlucky. From The Scotsman:
The Christian belief that Jesus was killed on Good Friday appears to be the reason Friday is seen as unlucky.
There are also biblical references that are linked to fear, doom, and tragedy. In the Bible, it states Eve handed Adam the poisoned apple on a Friday, while it was a Friday on which Cain murdered his brother, Abel.
On top of that, the phrase “Hangman’s Day” from the United Kingdom is also associated with Friday. It was the day in which people who were sentenced to death would be hanged.
Additionally, famous rapper Tupac Shakur died on Friday the 13th. A number of flights have crashed on Friday the 13th over the years. Buckingham Palace was bombed during WWII on Friday the 13th and on the same day in 1940 a cyclone killed more than 300,000 people in Bangladesh. ISIS launched attacks in Paris on Friday the 13th. The list can go on and on.
Financial Superstitions
Because of that, there are a number of superstitions attached to the number 13 and Friday the 13th. Many people try to avoid doing anything considered to be unlucky on that day. There are a number of financial superstitions from all around the world. Below are seven that I’ve heard over the years.
#1 Itching Hands
Itching hands is one of the most well-known financial superstitions. If your left hand is itching, it means you’ll come into some money soon. At the same time, if you find your right-hand itching, it means you’ll probably come into money troubles soon.
#2 Tossing Money Into a Fountain
We’ve all tossed a quarter into a fountain and made a wish. Did it come true? Perhaps. This is another superstition that dates back hundreds of years to Europe. It was thought that clean water was a gift from the Gods. So, people left many people left money near the fountains to thank them.
#3 Sixpence in the Bride’s Shoe
Many people are aware of the superstition surrounding weddings – something borrowed, something blue, something old and something new. That last bit of that line has gotten cut off in more recent years but for a long time it was considered good luck to have a sixpence in the bride’s shoe. This was believed to help her have a prosperous marriage.
#4 Purse or Wallet on the Floor
In some countries, it is considered bad luck if you let your purse or wallet hit the floor. It is bad luck for your business and your finances altogether.
#5 Find a Penny, Pick It Up!
Another one of the better known financial superstitions pertains to when you find a penny on the ground. You are supposed to pick it up because it’s good luck. However, that is only if it’s heads up. Tails-side up and you should leave it be – it could bring bad luck.
#6 Spider in Your Pocket
I’d scream if there was a spider in my pocket, but this is another one of those pesky financial superstitions. Evidently, if you find a spider in your pocket, it means that you’ll be rich. So, maybe a happy scream would be in order.
#7 Don’t Gift Empty Piggy Banks
Last but not least, another financial superstition I’ve come across throughout my life is that it is bad luck to gift someone a piggy bank without putting money in it. When you gift someone a piggy bank, you’re supposed to put some change in there or a few dollar bills to wish them good luck with their finances.
Leave a Reply