This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost Australia, which closed in 2021.

Knock On Wood And Don't Step On The Cracks

Childhood superstitions that stay with us throughout adulthood.
If you're superstitious, a broken mirror means seven years bad luck.
Solarixx
If you're superstitious, a broken mirror means seven years bad luck.

There are many curious traditions that people hold onto all their lives. Superstitions stay with us from childhood. Many adults hold onto these beliefs, whether they truly believe them or not.

If you swallow chewing gum will it stay in your tummy forever? Will bad things happen if you see an owl in the daytime? If a candle flame suddenly turns blue, is a ghost nearby? If you sit too close to the television will you get square eyes? Will placing a hat on a bed bring bad luck?

From knocking on wood to refusing to walk alongside a black cat, you will most likely find at least one superstition that you can't quite let go.

Apparently it's bad luck to cross the path of a black cat.
PeopleImages.com
Apparently it's bad luck to cross the path of a black cat.

Psychologist Sally-Anne McCormack told The Huffington Post Australia some of us are fearful that if we break a rule, such as stepping on a crack or breaking a mirror, bad luck will fall on us.

"We're afraid to test out the theory, just in case something bad happens. Sometimes superstitions are created because some people have difficulty in believing that things happen outside of their control. They have a need to believe that they had the ability to influence the situation or outcome by an action that they engaged in. For example, my mother survived an operation because I wrote her a letter telling her I love her," McCormack said.

"Superstitions stay with us as much as 'old wives tales' do. These are generally accepted across generations as facts, and we typically have little interest in challenging them. The more superstitious people may be too anxious to challenge them."

Many people avoid cracks on a path because that is what they did as children; rather than because they believe their mother's back will be broken. McCormack said super superstitions stay with us because they are familiar.

For others, they do not want to 'tempt fate' just in case these are true. And for others it may simply be a 'rule' where they may have forgotten the possible consequence. 'I don't open umbrellas in the house, but I can't remember what is meant to happen if I do.'

What happens if you open an umbrella inside? Dare you to try and see what goes wrong.
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What happens if you open an umbrella inside? Dare you to try and see what goes wrong.

If you swallow an apple seed, an apple tree with grow in your tummy. And branches will grow out of your ears.

If you pull a funny face and the wind changes, your face will stay like that forever and ever.

If you swallow chewing gum, it will pull out your heart.

If you blow out all the candles on your birthday cake with the first puff, you will get your wish.

If you find a coin on the ground, don't pick it up if it's tails side up – that's bad luck. Heads up is good luck.

If you sit too close to TV you will get square eyes.

Eat your crusts and your hair will go curly.

If you swim after eating you will sink.

Breaking a mirror is seven years bad luck – unless you take the pieces and bury them in the moonlight.

Don't walk under a ladder unless your fingers are crossed...or someone will have an accident.

If you say something good, or boast about yourself, find some wood and knock on it.

Don't stir anything with a fork – you'll be stirring up misfortune.

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