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Superstitions in Great Britain encompass a wide range of cultural beliefs and practices rooted in the folklore, history, and traditions of England, Scotland, and Wales. From medieval charms to protect against witches to modern rituals like touching wood for luck, these beliefs blend pagan, Christian, and secular influences, shaped by events such as the English Reformation and Victorian folklore collection.[1] Superstitions have influenced health practices, social customs, and economic behaviours, persisting in contemporary society despite scientific advancements.[2] Today, rituals like crossing fingers or avoiding the number 13 remain widespread, reinforced by media, sports, and even royal traditions.[3]

Historically, superstitions were meticulously documented, especially during the Victorian era, when scholars sought to preserve rural traditions amid industrialisation.[4] Regional variations, such as Scotland's selkie myths or Wales' corpse candles, reflect Britain's cultural diversity, while modern superstitions, amplified by social media, include urban legends and conspiracy theories like 5G health fears.[5]

Historical development

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Medieval and Early Modern Period

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Superstitions in medieval Britain were intertwined with Christian and pagan beliefs, with charms and rituals used to avert evil spirits.[6] Anglo-Saxon herbal charms were common, while the 14th–17th centuries saw heightened fears of witchcraft, leading to witch-hunts during the English Reformation.[7] Witch bottles, containing urine, hair, or pins, were buried to counter curses, with over 200 found in England.[8] The English Civil War (1642–1651) intensified beliefs in omens, with both sides exploiting supernatural imagery.[7][9]

Victorian and Edwardian Era

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The 19th century marked a peak in folklore collection, as antiquarians feared rural superstitions were vanishing.[4] Scholars like William Henderson recorded beliefs such as spilling salt or stirring food "widdershins" (anti-sunwise), thought to bring misfortune.[10] Victorian women documented domestic superstitions, like avoiding white tablecloths overnight to prevent death.[1] Poet John Clare romanticised superstitions as "as old as England", integral to cultural memory.[11]

20th century to present

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Urbanisation and education reduced traditional superstitions in the 20th century, but wartime omens, such as magpies predicting air raids, persisted.[12][13] Post-war, urban legends (e.g., vanishing hitchhikers) and digital-age superstitions (e.g., chain emails) emerged.[5] Conspiracy theories, like 5G causing illness, highlight superstition's modern evolution.[5] Recent surveys show continued adherence to rituals like touching wood, especially among younger Britons.[3]

Regional variations

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Common superstitions

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A keychain containing a preserved four-leaf clover, often carried as a charm to bring good luck. The four-leaf clover is a rare variation of the common three-leaf clover and is associated with protection and fortune in Western folklore.

Many superstitions are shared across Great Britain, rooted in Celtic, Christian, and ancient traditions. The four-leaf clover, a rare plant, is widely believed to bring good luck, with each leaf symbolising hope, faith, love, and luck. People carry or press it to attract fortune, especially in rural areas.[14][15][16] Ladybirds, linked to the Virgin Mary, are seen as lucky, with their landing on someone granting wishes or fortune.[17][18][19]

Protective rituals are common. Knocking on wood, tied to ancient tree worship, wards off bad luck after boasting or tempting fate.[20] Spilling salt, thought to invite misfortune, is countered by throwing a pinch over the left shoulder to appease spirits.[21][22] Walking under ladders is avoided, as it may disrupt a sacred triangle or bring practical danger.[23][24][25] Opening umbrellas indoors is believed to cause bad luck, possibly offending household spirits.[26][27][28]

Social omens include ears burning, where a tingling sensation suggests someone is talking about you—left ear for criticism, right for praise.[29][30][31]

England

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Jubilee and Munin, two of the Tower's ravens in 2016[32]

England's superstitions, deeply rooted in folklore and history, span national symbols, regional beliefs, and modern practices. A well-known legend holds that the ravens at the Tower of London protect the Crown and nation; their departure would signal Britain's collapse, a belief so strong that King Charles II ensured their permanent presence.[33] In Lincolnshire, 16th–17th-century "witches' marks"—carvings in places like Gainsborough Old Hall—were etched to ward off evil spirits, reflecting widespread fears of witchcraft.[34] In Dorset, a slow-boiling kettle is thought to be bewitched, possibly due to a toad inside, a superstition linked to historical witch fears.[1]

Regional beliefs also shaped health and daily life. In Great Malvern during the Victorian era, collecting spring water on the half-hour was believed to render it poisonous, a superstition tied to the area's water cure treatments.[10] Weather lore is prominent, with Saint Swithin's Day (15 July) predicting 40 days of rain if it rains, guiding rural farming practices.[35] Common luck-based superstitions include touching iron to ward off bad luck and avoiding opening umbrellas indoors, believed to invite misfortune.[36][37][38] Black cats, seen as either lucky or unlucky depending on the region, are a widespread symbol in English folklore.[37]

Social and seasonal superstitions are equally prevalent. At weddings, brides follow the tradition of "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue" to ensure marital happiness, a custom rooted in Victorian England.[39] On New Year's Eve, paying off debts before midnight is thought to prevent financial misfortune in the coming year.[40] In sports, English footballers like Kobbie Mainoo wear mismatched socks for luck, while the England national team follows rituals like specific warm-up routines to boost performance.[41][42] Cricketers, too, carry lucky charms, such as specific bats, to ensure success in matches.[43]

Scotland

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Scottish superstitions, shaped by ancient Gaelic and Celtic traditions, include stories of mythical creatures, seasonal customs, protective charms, and eerie omens. Selkies, seals that can become human, are said to form tragic love stories with people in coastal villages.[44] Kelpies, evil water spirits that look like horses, are believed to trick people into drowning in lakes.[45][46] Fairies, thought to steal children and replace them with changelings, led families to use iron charms for protection.[47][48] A black cat visiting a home is seen as a sign of future wealth.[49]

Seasonal customs are popular. On New Year's Eve, "first-footing" involves a dark-haired person entering a home with salt or coal to bring good luck.[50][51] At Halloween, apple dooking (grabbing apples from water with your mouth) was used to predict who someone might marry.[52] On Beltane (1 May), people jump over fires in festivals to ensure good crops and luck, a Celtic tradition.[53] Marriages or births in a leap year are considered unlucky, thought to bring bad fortune.[54][55]

Protective beliefs are common. In the Highlands, tying a red thread around a wrist keeps away the evil eye, a harmful stare.[46] Planting rowan trees near homes is thought to stop witches.[56][57] Seeing magpies brings omens: "one for sorrow, two for joy".[13] Hearing a cuckoo's first spring call with money in your pocket promises riches.[48] In theatres, actors avoid saying "Macbeth", calling it the "Scottish Play" to dodge bad luck.[58][59]

Witch bottles

Spooky beliefs and places are notable. Second sight, a Highland gift of seeing future events, was highly respected.[47] In Dumbarton, Overtoun Bridge is famous for dogs jumping off, blamed on ghosts.[60][61] Clava Cairns, ancient burial stones, are said to have magical energy.[62] People avoided walking on burial paths to not disturb spirits.[48] In the 1590s, North Berwick witch trials sparked fear, leading to protective charms like witch bottles.[63][64]

Wales

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Welsh superstitions, rooted in Celtic traditions, include eerie omens, protective rituals, and seasonal beliefs. Corpse candles, ghostly lights seen at night, are believed to predict someone's death, often tied to specific families or villages.[65][66] Owl hoots near a home signal an impending death, a common rural omen.[67][68] "Teulu", visions of fairy funerals, also foretell a community death.[68] Spirit hounds, called Cŵn Annwn, are said to howl before a death, acting as otherworldly omens.[69] Fairy rings, circles of grass, are avoided to escape fairy curses.[65][70]

Protective rituals are widespread. Knocking on wood, linked to ancient tree worship, wards off bad luck.[1] Placing coins in trees, especially in rural areas, is thought to bring good fortune.[71] "Sin-eating", eating bread over a corpse to absorb its sins, ensured the deceased's peace.[72][67] Unlike Scotland, black cats often bring bad luck.[73][74]

Seasonal and domestic beliefs shape daily life. Avoiding washing clothes on Good Friday or New Year's Day prevents misfortune, as it might "wash away" a loved one.[75][76] Placing new shoes on a table invites bad luck, tied to miners' fears of death.[73][77] Cutting a baby's hair before its first birthday is avoided, believed to bring illness.[75] Covering mirrors at night stops spirits from causing harm.[69]

Types of superstitions

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Superstitions derived from Christianity

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A number of beliefs and practices associated with Christianity in Great Britain have been described by scholars as superstitions, particularly when they fall outside formal doctrine or involve folk interpretations of religious symbols and rituals. These customs often merge Christian theology with older pre-Christian traditions and have persisted in various forms from the medieval period to the present.[78][79]

Examples include the belief in the healing powers of holy wells associated with saints, the protective use of crosses above doorways, and the veneration of relics or sacred sites thought to bring good fortune or avert harm. Pilgrimages to locations such as the shrine of St Cuthbert in Durham or St Winefride's Well in Wales historically combined formal devotion with elements of magical thinking and folk belief.[80][81]

The ringing of church bells was also believed to drive away evil spirits or prevent storms, a view supported in part by the Church but often expanded in popular belief.[82] The practice of making the sign of the cross when passing a churchyard or during moments of fear similarly evolved into a protective act beyond its original liturgical function.[83]

Many such customs endured after the English Reformation, sometimes reinterpreted within new theological frameworks. The use of a horseshoe over the doorway for protection, often attributed to the legend of Saint Dunstan nailing one to the Devil's hoof, reflects this continuity.[84] In more recent times, burying a statue of St Joseph upside down to sell a house has become a widely practised folk custom, especially among Catholic communities, despite lacking doctrinal basis.[85]

Marriage customs also reflected a mixture of superstition and religious tradition, such as the belief that marrying on certain saint days or during Lent could bring misfortune. Folk practices like placing Bibles or coins beneath pillows to dream of one's future spouse were often tied to feast days or seasonal observances.[86]

These beliefs reflect the porous boundary between religious ritual and folk custom in British history, where officially sanctioned practices often coexist with popular superstitious interpretations.

Superstitions involving the Devil

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While the concept of the Devil originates in Christian theology, many superstitions involving demonic figures in Great Britain evolved independently of formal doctrine, drawing on pre-Christian mythologies, local legends, and folk magic. These beliefs, though inspired by religious narratives, often reflect popular efforts to explain misfortune, danger, or moral boundaries through supernatural storytelling.[87][88]

An illustration of the "Devil's Footprints" as published in The Illustrated London News, 1855

A notable example is the belief in the Devil's physical presence at specific sites, often associated with unusual geological formations or rural landmarks. Features such as the Devil's Dyke in Sussex,[89] the Devil's Arrows in North Yorkshire,[90] and the Devil's Chair in Shropshire are named for folklore involving his attempts to reshape the landscape or trick local inhabitants.[91][92]

In church architecture, a "Devil's door" was often constructed on the north side of medieval English churches. Popular belief held that this door allowed the Devil to flee during baptisms, thereby protecting the child from possession.[93] Though not rooted in official ecclesiastical teaching, the practice reflects a widespread fear of demonic influence in liminal spaces and life events. Similarly, the orientation of churches could influence local superstition; for example, Cold Christmas Church in Hertfordshire, which is aligned unusually along a north–south axis rather than the traditional east–west, has become the subject of persistent superstition linking its structure to hauntings and demonic associations.[94][95]

One of the most widely discussed events linked to demonic folklore is the so-called "Devil's Footprints" incident of 1855 in Devon. Following a heavy snowfall, mysterious hoof-like prints appeared stretching over 40 miles across countryside, rooftops, and rivers. While never conclusively explained, many locals attributed the phenomenon to a demonic visitation, and it has remained a staple of Victorian supernatural lore.[96] [97][98][99]

Other superstitions portray the Devil as a trickster or enforcer of moral conduct. It was once believed that whistling at night could summon the Devil, that sweeping after dark might bring his attention, or that sleeping with one's feet facing the door made the soul vulnerable to demonic visitation.[100] Such beliefs often served a cautionary function in rural communities, reinforcing social norms through fear of supernatural consequences.

These examples illustrate how the figure of the Devil, while originating in Christian theology, became a prominent component of British folk superstition. Over time, demonic motifs were adapted to local traditions, geographic landmarks, and popular narratives, often diverging from formal religious doctrine. The recurring presence of the Devil in legends, architectural features, and moral cautionary tales reflects broader cultural mechanisms for explaining misfortune, reinforcing social norms, and shaping collective memory through folklore.[101]

Diaspora religious superstitions

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In addition to longstanding Christian and folk traditions, diaspora communities in Britain have maintained various customs and beliefs that, while rooted in religious and cultural traditions, are often considered superstitious. These practices reflect the diverse cultural heritage present in the UK and illustrate how religious customs can evolve and integrate into local contexts.

Superstitions in Jewish communities

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British Jewish communities, particularly those with Eastern European Ashkenazi heritage, maintain folk beliefs and practices outside formal religious doctrine, rooted in historical traditions brought by 18th- and 19th-century immigrants and reinforced by post-Holocaust arrivals.[102] These superstitions are especially prevalent among Haredi communities in Stamford Hill, London, where Yiddish cultural traditions persist.[103]

A widespread superstition is the belief in the "evil eye" (ayin hara), where envy or malevolent glances are thought to cause harm.[104] To protect against it, some British Jews, particularly in Stamford Hill's Haredi enclaves, tie a red ribbon or string to a baby's crib or wrist.[105] This practice, linked to Eastern European Jewish traditions, is sometimes associated with winding red string around Rachel's Tomb, though its religious legitimacy is debated.[106]

Other practices include spitting three times or saying "pooh, pooh, pooh" after good news to avert bad luck, believed to counter the evil eye's influence.[107] Similarly, avoiding sitting at a table's corner is thought to prevent remaining unmarried, a custom observed in some British Jewish households.[108] These superstitions, while not universal, are more common in Stamford Hill's Haredi community, reflecting enduring Eastern European Jewish cultural influences.[109]

Superstitions in the Muslim communites

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Muslim communities in Great Britain, particularly those with South Asian and Middle Eastern heritage, maintain certain folk practices that, while sometimes linked to Islamic teachings, are often considered superstitious as they fall outside formal religious doctrine.[110] These practices, prevalent in areas like East London and Bradford, reflect cultural influences from pre-Islamic traditions and diaspora experiences.[111]

A Nazar amulet, traditionally used to protect against the evil eye

A common belief involves the "evil eye" (nazar), where envy is thought to cause harm. To counter this, some British Muslims, especially from Pakistani and Bangladeshi communities, use protective charms like blue beads or recite specific Quranic verses, though such practices are debated as superstitious by some Islamic scholars.[112] For example, in East London's Bangladeshi community, mothers may pin black threads or amulets to children's clothing to ward off the evil eye.[113]

Another practice is saying "dastur" or similar phrases before entering a room or pouring hot water, believed to warn jinn—supernatural beings mentioned in the Quran—to avoid disturbance.[114] In British Pakistani households, some avoid wearing only one shoe, associating it with how Satan walks, a belief rooted in cultural folklore rather than Islamic texts.[115] Similarly, folding the edge of a prayer mat after use is practised by some to prevent jinn from using it, particularly in South Asian communities in Bradford.[116]

These superstitions, while not universally observed, are more common in tightly knit communities where cultural traditions from South Asia and the Middle East persist.[117] Islamic scholars often critique such practices as bid'ah (innovations) or shirk (associating partners with God), emphasizing reliance on God alone.[118] Despite this, these customs highlight the complex interplay between religious identity and cultural heritage in Britain's diverse Muslim population.[119]

Superstitions involving death and the soul

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Folk beliefs concerning death and the soul have long featured in British superstition, often blending Christian, pagan, and local traditions. These superstitions reflect enduring cultural attempts to manage the uncertainty of death, interpret signs of impending mortality, and safeguard the soul's journey in the afterlife.[120][121]

One widespread belief held that the soul lingered near the body for three days after death, a notion often reinforced by Christian funeral rites and echoed in rural customs such as delaying burial or maintaining vigil beside the deceased.[122] In many regions, clocks were stopped at the moment of death, curtains drawn, and mirrors covered to prevent the soul from becoming trapped or confused.[123]

Church bells were traditionally tolled at the time of death not only to notify the community but also to ward off evil spirits and guide the soul toward the afterlife. This belief persisted into the 19th century, particularly in rural areas where the sound of the "passing bell" was thought to protect both the deceased and the living from demonic interference.[124]

Superstitions also surrounded the appearance of death omens. The howling of dogs, sudden extinguishing of candles, or sightings of black birds—especially ravens and owls—were interpreted as signs of approaching death.[125] In some parts of Britain, it was believed that a white sheet left overnight on a table would invite death into the household.[126]

Such customs and beliefs reflect a long-standing vernacular theology in which death was viewed not solely as a biological or theological event, but as a liminal passage surrounded by ritual safeguards and symbolic gestures. While many of these practices, such as mirror covering, bell tolling, or interpreting death omens, coexisted with Christian funerary rites, they largely fall outside formal religious orthodoxy and are better understood as culturally embedded responses to supernatural anxieties concerning the fate of the soul.[127][128][129]

Witchcraft and supernatural fears

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Illustration of Nance Redferne and Chattox from William Harrison Ainsworth's 1849 novel The Lancashire Witches

Belief in witchcraft has long been interwoven with British superstitions, particularly during periods of religious upheaval or social anxiety, such as early modern Britain (c. 1560–1700), when accusations of sorcery were widespread.[130] These fears, peaking during the witch trials enabled by the Witchcraft Act of 1563, blended superstition with legal prosecution, as seen in the 1612 Pendle witches case in Lancashire.[130][131] Public understanding of witchcraft often hinged on superstitious explanations, attributing misfortune to neighbourly curses, charms, or the 'evil eye'.[130]

Protective superstitions against witchcraft

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To counter perceived malevolent forces, households employed protective superstitions. Witch bottles—ceramic or glass containers filled with iron nails, hair, and urine—were buried under hearths or thresholds to ward off harmful magic, a practice widespread in East Anglia and Sussex during the 16th and 17th centuries.[132] Apotropaic symbols, such as daisy wheels, pentagrams, or overlapping "VV" (for "Virgin of Virgins"), were carved into timber beams or stonework near doorways, windows, and chimneys to confuse or repel witches.[133]

Other customs included hanging iron objects, like horseshoes, above doorways and concealing old shoes within walls or beneath floors to protect against malign forces.[134] These practices, rooted in the belief that witches and evil spirits could be deterred by symbolic barriers, were particularly common in rural communities across England and Scotland.[134]

Modern remnants and reinterpretations

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Although the Witchcraft Act was repealed in 1736, belief in supernatural interference persisted in rural Britain into the 19th and 20th centuries, with concealed shoes, protective marks, and superstitions about night sounds or unexplained illnesses often linked to lingering fears of witches.[135] In Devon and Cornwall, for instance, tales of "witch marks" and hidden charms continued to circulate among villagers well into the early 20th century.[135]

In the modern era, these beliefs have evolved or been recontextualised. Elements of historical protective customs are echoed in contemporary New Age practices, such as crystal placement and energy-cleansing rituals, which draw on similar symbolic logic.[135] Sites associated with historical witchcraft, like Pendle Hill, remain tied to supernatural folklore, attracting tourists and spiritual seekers interested in Britain's occult heritage.[135][136]

Protective and luck-based

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Many superstitions in Great Britain involve actions or symbols believed to bring good fortune or protection from harm. A 2023 YouGov survey found that 68% of Britons 'touch wood for luck', while 55% cross their fingers in hopes of a favourable outcome.[3]

The origins of these customs are often ancient. Touching or knocking on wood is thought to derive from pagan beliefs that trees housed protective spirits, and the action served to invoke their favour or avert misfortune.[137]Crossing fingers, meanwhile, dates to early Christianity, where it symbolised invoking the power of the cross for divine protection.[138][139][140]

Avoiding walking under ladders (55%) and the fear of the number 13 (15%) are also common.[3] The triangle formed by a ladder leaning against a wall was once considered sacred, and passing through it was believed to desecrate the space, inviting bad luck.[141]

Fear of the number 13—triskaidekaphobia—has been linked to both Norse mythology and the Last Supper in Christian tradition, while Friday the 13th combines two traditionally unlucky symbols. The superstition still influences behaviour: travel bookings and flight prices often drop on that date due to reduced demand.[142][143]

Ladybirds are widely regarded as omens of good luck, with red-coloured beetles seen as especially auspicious in English folklore.[144][145] Similarly, finding a four-leaf clover—especially in spring—has long been considered a sign of fortune, particularly among rural children.[146][147]

Horseshoes nailed above doorways are another protective charm, believed to ward off evil. This belief likely stems from the legend of Saint Dunstan, who tricked the Devil and nailed a horseshoe to his hoof, forcing him to avoid homes bearing the symbol.[148]

Many protective and luck-based superstitions in Britain have origins in religious or pre-Christian belief systems, but over time have been reinterpreted as secular folk customs. Their continued transmission—often through oral tradition or cultural repetition—has led to the dissociation of these practices from their original theological or ritual contexts, embedding them instead in everyday behaviours and social norms.[149][150]

Domestic and social

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British domestic superstitions often reflect anxieties about household harmony, death, and social order. Many of these beliefs were passed down through oral tradition and remain embedded in everyday habits.[151]

One of the most enduring customs is throwing spilled salt over the left shoulder to blind the Devil. This practice, widespread across Britain, is believed to have ancient origins, possibly dating back to the Sumerians, who thought that spilling salt invited misfortune and that tossing a pinch over the left shoulder would ward off evil spirits.[152][153]

Crossed knives on a dining table are traditionally seen as a sign of impending quarrels. This belief remains common in British households and is often observed by uncrossing the utensils to avoid conflict.[76]

Leaving a white tablecloth on a table overnight is considered an omen of death, particularly in rural England. The superstition holds that the cloth would become a shroud, symbolizing mortality within the household.[76]

Stirring food widdershins—counterclockwise—was believed to spoil the dish or bring bad luck. This practice, especially prevalent among women in domestic settings, reflects the importance of ritual in everyday tasks.[76]

Other domestic superstitions include the belief that two women pouring tea from the same teapot would lead to a quarrel, and that placing new shoes on a table invites bad luck, possibly stemming from associations with death and mourning practices.[76]

Health and healing

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Superstitions concerning health and healing have profoundly shaped folk practices in Britain, particularly in rural communities where access to formal medicine was historically scarce, blending religious symbolism, magical thinking, and oral traditions passed down through generations.[154] These beliefs, prevalent across both rural and urban settings, reflect a cultural interplay between pre-scientific knowledge and spiritual anxieties about illness and recovery.[155]

One well-documented practice is the use of silver rings crafted from communion sixpences to treat convulsions or epileptic fits, particularly in rural England during the 18th and 19th centuries.[156] These rings were believed to possess curative powers only if made by a bachelor smith and given freely without payment, combining Christian sacramental symbolism with folk magic.[156] In Cornwall, similar beliefs led to the use of "sacrifice rings", worn to ward off rheumatism, thought to draw on the sacred properties of church-donated metal.[157]

In Great Malvern, during the Victorian water cure movement, natural springs from the Malvern Hills were reputed to possess powerful healing properties. The waters were used in treatments for conditions such as gout, ulcers, and skin diseases, and were often accompanied by strict rituals of collection and consumption. While largely medicalised by hydrotherapy practitioners, the springs retained folkloric associations with purity and natural power, and some local traditions framed them as sites of spiritual or supernatural significance.[158][159][160]This reflected broader anxieties about the medicalisation of natural springs and the perceived boundary between healing and harm in pre-scientific traditions.[161]

Similarly, in Yorkshire, communities have long held beliefs in the healing properties of spring water, particularly for ailments like eye conditions. Traditions such as "Spaw Sunday" involved gathering at local wells believed to possess restorative powers, with rituals often performed to harness these benefits.[162][163][164]

Pregnancy and childbirth attracted numerous superstitions, many persisting into the 20th century. In rural Britain, expectant mothers were cautioned against gazing at animals like hares or consuming foods such as strawberries or liver, for fear these could cause birthmarks or deformities in the unborn child.[165] In East Anglia, a belief held that a pregnant woman passing under a low bridge could induce premature labour, reflecting fears of environmental influences on childbirth.[166] These practices reveal deep-seated associations between maternal behaviour and infant health, rooted in centuries of folk wisdom.[165]

Healing superstitions often involved charms, amulets, or rituals performed at liminal times, such as midnight or solstice dawns, when supernatural forces were thought to be potent.[167] In Devon, moss scraped from gravestones was used in poultices for skin ailments, believed to absorb the healing energy of the dead[168] and in Anglo-Saxon sources it was believed that moss could drive out evil beings (elfshot) causing illness.[169]

In urban areas like London, 19th-century apothecaries sold "toadstone" amulets, fossilised fish teeth thought to cure poisoning—reflecting a blend of folk belief and early commercialism.[170] In Scotland, the practice of "passing through" a holed stone was believed to cure childhood rickets, with parents taking children to sites like the Clach na Cudainn stone in Aberdeenshire well into the early 20th century.[171]

While many of these practices lack scientific basis, their persistence underscores the cultural significance of folk medicine in Britain, bridging pre-modern beliefs with contemporary health anxieties.[172] These superstitions, varying by region and community, highlight the enduring power of symbolic logic in shaping health and healing practices across British history.[173]

Cultural and social impacts

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Superstitions permeate British literature, from Shakespeare's omens in *Macbeth* to Dickens' ghostly tales.[174] Media, including BBC documentaries and *Most Haunted*, perpetuate supernatural beliefs.[175] Sports fans, notably during UEFA Euro 2020, use lucky rituals, with 30% admitting to superstitions.[176] Economically, "Elm" street homes sell for 42% less due to horror-inspired superstitions.[177]

Modern superstitions

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A sign with horseshoes above a nameplate, placed to attract good luck—a common feature in rural Britain.

Modern superstitions in Britain reflect a blend of tradition, pop culture, regional belief, and digital influence. While some are rooted in longstanding rural customs, others have emerged or been revived in response to urban living, media narratives, or collective anxieties.[178]

Persistence and prevalence

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A 2023 YouGov survey found that 72% of Britons engage in some form of superstition, with "touching wood" (68%) and "crossing fingers" (55%) the most widely practised.[179] Younger adults (18–24) are more likely than older generations to own or wear a lucky charm. A 2020 survey reported that superstitions still affect daily decisions, including clothing choices and avoidance of certain routes or actions.[180]

Urban legends and digital superstitions

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Social media has accelerated the circulation of urban myths. Chain messages that promise luck or threaten misfortune remain common, especially among teenagers. TikTok trends like chanting "Bloody Mary" in front of a mirror have reanimated older folkloric games.[181] Conspiracy beliefs, such as the idea that 5G networks spread illness, have been described as digital-age superstitions.[182]

Scotland remains especially rich in mythic retellings and ghost stories, with lingering fears about cursed locations and rituals, such as clapping to protect fairies or saluting lone magpies.[183][184]

Everyday rituals

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Daily superstitions persist across urban and rural contexts. Common rituals include:

  • Avoiding three drains in a row
  • Not crossing on stairs
  • Skipping the 13th floor or omitting room 13 in hotels
  • Wishing behaviours: blowing out birthday candles, tossing coins in fountains, breaking wishbones
  • Avoiding laundry on New Year's Day
  • Taking Christmas decorations down before Twelfth Night (6 January)

These rituals are often habitual and unexamined, passed down from family members or reinforced by cultural narratives.[185][186][187][188]

Commercialisation and contemporary reinterpretation

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Items like horseshoes, rabbit's feet, or lucky heather (often sold by Romani vendors) remain popular, particularly in tourist settings or rural markets.[189][190] Astrology, crystal healing, and manifestation journals reflect a broader cultural shift towards ritualised self-care, merging older beliefs with wellness trends.

One Vice journalist tested a range of British superstitions in daily life—such as walking over three drains, breaking mirrors, and lucky darts—and found the results inconclusive but psychologically meaningful.[191]

Friday the 13th and date-based fears

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Friday the 13th remains the most widely feared date in the British calendar, with anecdotal reports of people avoiding flights, major purchases, or social commitments.[192] The persistence of such date-based superstitions highlights how cultural fears endure despite rational awareness.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d Opie, Iona; Tatem, Moira (1996). The Penguin Guide to the Superstitions of Britain and Ireland. Penguin Books. pp. 1–15. ISBN 978-0-14-051381-3.
  2. ^ Wiseman, Richard (2003). "UK Superstition Survey" (PDF). richardwiseman.com. Retrieved 27 May 2025.
  3. ^ a b c d Peter Raven (23 January 2023). "Which Superstitions Are Britons Most Likely to Believe in?". YouGov. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
  4. ^ a b Walsham, Alexandra (2008). "Recording Superstition in Early Modern Britain: The Origins of Folklore". Past & Present. 199 (Suppl 3): 178–206. doi:10.1093/pastj/gtm065.
  5. ^ a b c Waterson, Jim (26 April 2020). "5G, Coronavirus and Contagious Superstition". The Guardian. Retrieved 27 May 2025.
  6. ^ Bailey, Michael David (2007). Magic and Superstition in Europe: A Concise History from Antiquity to the Present. Rowman & Littlefield. pp. 80–100. ISBN 978-0-7425-3387-5.
  7. ^ a b Valletta, Frederick (2017). Witchcraft, Magic and Superstition in England, 1640–70. Routledge. doi:10.4324/9781315233956. ISBN 978-1-351-87259-1.
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