TODAY marks the Ides of March, a day that proved disastrous for one unlucky Roman.
Online bingo players often have superstitious beliefs about what will bring them good fortunate with the bingo gods.
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At Sun Bingo, our community have their fair share of lucky charms and not-so-lucky numbers.
However, it isn’t just bingo players that consider some things to bring prosperity and others to herald bad tidings.
Have you ever stepped on a crack and been told it’ll break your mother’s back?
Perhaps you take extra care to avoid walking under a ladder.
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Many common unlucky beliefs have been around for centuries and, as such, their true origins are lost to time.
Also, the benefits of hindsight and scientific understanding has allowed us to debunk the mysticism surrounding some unlucky charms.
That being said, other traditions remain a mystery as to why society has continued to believe they’ll bring ill fate to unfortunate souls.
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Ides of March
Beware the Ides of March. This is the line famously delivered by a soothsayer in Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar.
It is a warning that the Roman dictator faces grave danger on 15th March. In reality, Julius Caesar was assassinated by approximately 60 conspirators on 15th March 44BC.
His death triggered a civil war that saw the rise of his great-nephew, and adopted son, Octavian (later Augustus Caesar), as the first Roman emperor. It was said that the emperor brutally avenged the death of his great-uncle, including by sacrificing 300 prisoners on an altar on 15th March.
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As such, the date has become immortalised as a day of bad omen and foreshadowing doom.
Breaking a Mirror
The obvious reason why you’re having a bad day if you break a mirror is that they are usually expensive and cracking one often renders it completely unusable.
However, beyond that rational explanation, damaging a surface that reflects your image has been considered unlucky since the ancient world. Romans were among the first people to manufacture mirrors, using polished metal.
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They believed that the gods could observe mortal souls through such objects, and so to damage such a connection to the Olympians was a blasphemous insult. The gods sought vengeance by bestowing misfortune on the clumsy mortal.
However, as well known, this bad luck only lasts for seven years. That may be because Romans believed that humans renewed themselves every seven years, removing the curse.
Friday 13th
Another unfortunate date is when the thirteenth day of the month falls on a Friday. This combines the dual associations of Friday being the most ill-fated day of the week and the number 13 being considered unlucky in many Western cultures.
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In Britain, Friday has been considered bad luck for centuries, with Chaucer quoting Friday as a day full of mischance in 12th century. One possible explanation is that Friday used to be known as Hangman’s Day because it was when most death sentences were carried out.
As for the number 13 being unlucky, the origins of that are often traced back to Norse mythology or Christianity. The mischievous god Loki was the 13th guest to arrive at a feast in Valhalla, where he tricked another guest into killing a fellow god.
Meanwhile, in the story of the last supper, Judas was the 13th guest to arrive.
Spilling Salt
The action itself is annoying and messy.
The Romans disliked it because their culture treated salt as a valuable commodity, even using it as currency as times. Therefore, it was akin to throwing away money.
How then did the ritual of throwing a pinch of the wasted salt over your left shoulder arise?
Multiple cultures encourage the act, for differing reason, but all agree that it is to ward off evil. The act is said to blind any devilish spirits lurking behind you, stopping them from causing you harm.
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In Mahayana Buddhist tradition, after a funeral, attendees throw a pinch of salt over the shoulders before entering their house to stop the spirit of the recently departed from following them in.
Gifting a Clock
This tradition is primarily observed in Asia or Cantonese-speaking cultures.
It is because the phrase “giving a clock” sounds very similar to the name of the gongs sounded during a funeral procession.
Therefore, gifting a clock has become associated with death and bad luck.
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Single Magpies
One for sorrow, two for joy, three for a girl, four for a boy, five for silver, six for gold, seven for a secret never to be told.
You’ve almost definitely heard the old nursery rhyme, and potentially done one of the several actions that supposedly reverse the bad luck of a single magpie (such as saluting it, saying “good morning, Mr Magpie” or turning in a circle).
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Magpies in general have associations with misfortune or even death. This could be because they are scavenger birds so would often be seen at battlefields, gallows or field hospitals. They’ve also been known to feed on the eggs and chicks of valued birds such as pheasants, making them unpopular.
Another story from Christianity (although not strictly referenced in the Bible) is that a magpie at Jesus’ crucifixion refused to weep or mourn his death. This helped to create the link between these birds and evil omens.
Why solo magpies are specifically targeted could be explained by the fact that these birds mate for life. Therefore, to see one alone means that it has already befallen tragedy and lost its mate.
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Shoes on a Table
You may have heard this one as specifically referencing new shoes being placed on a table.
There’s no clear explanation as to where this belief comes from. However, the practice may stem from a tradition amongst coal mining communities, particularly in the North of England.
When a miner died in an accident, his boots would be left on the kitchen table as a tribute. Therefore, shoes on a table is a symbol of loss, death and tragedy.
Opening an Umbrella Inside
There’s a superstitious answer, a psychological interpretation and a practical reason as to why you shouldn’t open an umbrella before leaving the house.
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It is believed that in Ancient Egypt rudimentary umbrellas, more akin to parasols, were associated with the sun gods. Opening one away from the sun (i.e. indoors) was an insult.
In terms of the psychology behind the belief, it has been suggested that it starts with the fact that an umbrella is a tool against storms. With storms being wild, unpredictable and destructive, you risk contaminating the peaceful tranquillity of the home if you unfold this symbol of stormy tidings inside.
Last up is the practical reason. As umbrellas became more robust, using metal spokes, opening one in the close proximity of a hallway risked causing injury. This superstition is a deterrent against a potentially hazardous act.
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About the author
Katrina Vasey – Bingo Editor, The Sun
After graduating from Southampton University with a degree in English Literature, Katrina Vasey worked as a Content Editor for Law Business Research’s publication the International Law Office. Katrina joined The Sun in 2022 as the Bingo Editor, covering the four gaming platforms: Sun Bingo, Fabulous Bingo, Sun Vegas and Fabulous Vegas.
