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Superstitions can be described best by common irrational beliefs in the fact that certain signs indicate what the future has installed for us. For example, the people consider that certain dates in the calendar like Friday the 13th or black cats crossing our path determine their luck to go bad. From a rational point of view, there is no logical connection between these events and a person’s luck, which essentially involves statistical probabilities for various events to occur. Let’s examine a few of these superstitions in our top 10 list.

1. When Friday falls on the 13th day of the month, it’s always unlucky

However silly this is, the superstition regarding Friday the 13th is probably the most famous one in the world. Although there are slight variations and theories on the reason why it caught on, the generally accepted hypothesis comes from the Christian religion. To put it simply, it is said that Judas was the thirteenth person to arrive at the Last Supper and also that Jesus Christ’s crucifixion was carried out on a Friday evening. The superstition has such a tremendous impact on people that you can nowadays find several airplane companies omitting the 13th row on their jets and buildings lacking the 13th floor.

2. There is a connection between itchy palms and financial gains/losses

Nobody really knows the original reason to why many seem to think that an itchy left palm indicates that you will spend or waste money while an itchy right palm is an indicator for financial gains. However, there is a mention of it in one of Shakespeare’s most popular works, Julius Caesar. In this play, the character Brutus accuses Cassius in a subtle manner by saying that he is forever burdened with itchy palms. Another interesting thing about this fallacy is that scratching your itch counters the effects, irrespective of which palm it is.

3. You should not walk under ladders unless you want your day to turn bad

You have to admit that it is in fact a good idea to avoid open ladders unless you want to take the chance of something dropping on you. While common sense is one explanation for the origins of this false notion, the other is that the open ladder is the symbol of life in many mythologies. Therefore, transcending the symbol is viewed as tempting fate and even angering ghostly spirits. There is also a way to counter the presumed bad luck that follows: putting your thumb in between the middle and index fingers. Christians also believe that the sign of the cross can deliver them from misfortune.

4. The 7 years of bad luck brought on you by breaking a mirror

True, breaking a mirror is bad luck because you will either have to replace it in case it’s your own or pay for the damages. At the same time, you can cut yourself on the glass. Either way, breaking a mirror is not the luckiest thing that can happen to you, but it’s not the worst. The origins of the superstition can also be found in mythology, when the ancients used to consider the image in the mirror as a reflection of the soul. Since breaking it meant that you are virtually shattering the soul, they chose 7 (another fatidic number just like 13) years for the time it needs to recover. It is said that you can reverse the bad luck if you dig a hole by the light of the moon and bury the shattered pieces of the mirror.

5. When you find a horseshoe, your luck is about to change for the better

A variation of this belief is that it is even better to find a horseshoe with the upper part pointing away from you. In any case, to benefit from the luck, the horseshoe can either be spat on and tossed over the shoulder or hanged at the entrance of your residence. However, while in the old days, metal was rare and finding the horseshoe could be considered lucky, nowadays there are better things you could find on the street. Like money, for example.

You are not the only one to believe in something and will do everything possible to prevent a bad occurrence from happening. Many stars are as superstitious. Some are really ridiculous, while others are preposterous. Others have truly understood the concept of superstitions and do it just for the heck of it.

So here is the list of 10 superstitious celebrities.

1. Meatloaf:

Nothing beats this star. Marvin Meatloaf Aday admitted that he as a large collection of teddy bears. He also travels with the two favourites for good luck. They make him feel good.

2. Lady Gaga:

There is always something about this singer and songwriter. She is an excellent role model who stands up to bullying and for minorities. In fact, she is known to speak her mind most of the time. She is superstitious about the 3 letter word we all have come to know as sex. She believes that someone can ruin his/her energy levels if they have sex with someone they do not care about.

3. Paris Hilton:

Hilton does what most people do. She knocks on wood when someone says something she does not want to happen. She also makes a wish at 11:11. I honestly believe the second part is a bit going overboard.

4. Jennifer Aniston:

This actress and daughter of Soap Vet John Aniston is superstitious when it comes to flying. When she walks onto the plane, she puts her right foot first and taps the outside of the plane. She believes that it brings her luck. What do you think? Have any of you ever done that?

5. Star Jones:

Many know Jones from The View. She is a television phenomenon everyone loves to watch. However, she makes this list as well. She’s had a superstition she learned about from her grandmother. She never places her purse on the floor because it could cause you to have no money. Interesting….That probably has to do with dropping money on the floor and not taking care of your belongings.

The term ‘superstitions’ is used to describe those beliefs that are not rational and have been passed on from generation to generation.

1. Friday the 13^th

Almost everybody believes this superstition- that Friday the 13^th of any month means bad luck. This superstition is so common that a number of hotels are known to have been built without the 13^th floor and airlines don’t give tickets for the 13^th row. It has been believed that the 13^th guest during the Last Supper was Judas and Friday was the day that Christ got crucified. Basically- quite an unlucky day all in all.

2. An Itchy Palm

It is believed that if your left palm itches, it means that you will lose money but if your right one does, you will earn, inherit or receive money. However, you must let it itch because if you go ahead and scratch it, you may end up countering the effect.

3. Walking Under a Ladder

Most rational people don’t walk under ladders lying about because they feel that something may fall on their heads and leave them unconscious. However, those who like to go along with the herd believe that walking under a ladder is equal to bad luck. The “logic” behind this belief is that you will end up awakening evil spirits when you walk through the triangle that the ladder makes with the wall.

4. Breaking a Mirror

This superstition hardly needs an explanation. Basically, if you break a mirror, bad luck will get attached to you for seven years. In the past, it was believed that a mirror reflects the person’s soul and if you smash it, the soul will get hampered as well. In case you break a mirror, you can take the broken mirror outside, dig a hole and throw the pieces inside. Don’t forget to cover it with mud or the bad luck will come after you for sure!

5. Finding a Horseshoe

If you find a horseshoe in an open field- you should consider yourself to be extremely lucky. When you find it, you are required to use your right hand to pick it up, cover one end with your spit, wish for something spectacular and then throw it over your shoulder- make sure it is the left one because otherwise, all that activity will bear no fruit.