© Shutterstock

Walking under a ladder - This superstition dates back 5,000 years to the ancient Egyptians. They believed that triangles were sacred and represented the trinity of the gods. Hence the pyramids!

© iStock

Walking under a ladder -

A ladder leaning against a wall creates a triangle, and to pass through it is an act of desecration, which would bring misfortune.

© Getty Images 

Black cats - Black cats are a controversial topic! The ancient Egyptians revered all cats and believed that a black cat crossing your path brought good luck.

© Shutterstock

Black cats - In 17th-century England, King Charles I had a beloved black cat he believed brought him good luck. He may have been right, because he was arrested for treason the day after the cat's death!

© Shutterstock

Black cats - The medieval British believed that black cats were the companions of witches or even a witch in disguise. A black cat crossing your path was considered a sign that the devil was watching you.

© iStock

Breaking a mirror -

Ancient Greek mystics would use mirrors for fortune telling. They would dip the mirror in water and examine the reflection of an ill customer.

© Getty Images 

Breaking a mirror -

If their reflection was clear, they would survive. But if it was distorted, then they were likely to die.

© Getty Images 

Breaking a mirror -

The ancient Romans believed that health worked in seven-year cycles. If someone broke a mirror, their image would appear distorted and they'd have seven years of ill-heath and bad luck.

© Shutterstock

Blessing a sneeze - In most English-speaking countries, it's common to say "bless you" or "God bless" when someone sneezes.

© Shutterstock

Blessing a sneeze -

Many cultures believe that sneezes expel evil spirits, so it's common to utter some kind of incantation for good luck.

© Shutterstock

Blessing a sneeze -

The tradition of blessing a sneeze dates back to the era of Pope Gregory the Great in ancient Rome. A deadly illness was spreading across Italy and sneezing was the first symptom.

© Getty Images 

Blessing a sneeze -

Pope Gregory instructed the people to pray for themselves or for others who began sneezing.

© Getty Images 

Standing chopsticks -

In many cultures in Asia it's very bad luck, as well as bad manners, to leave your chopsticks sticking out of a bowl. They should always be left flat and uncrossed.

© Getty Images 

Standing chopsticks -

Standing chopsticks have been associated with death, as they are reminiscent of certain funeral rites.

© Getty Images 

Standing chopsticks -

When someone dies, food is traditionally offered to the dead, and the chopsticks are left standing in the bowl.

© Getty Images 

Spilling salt -

Many cultures believe that spilling salt is unlucky. A common solution is to throw some over your left shoulder to prevent bad fortune.

© Getty Images 

Spilling salt -

This superstition has been around for thousands of years and is thought to reflect the value of salt.

© Getty Images 

Spilling salt -

The ancient Roman writer Petronius coined the phrase "not worth your salt," and the word "salary" comes from the word "salarium," which were the salt rations given to Roman soldiers.

© Shutterstock

Horseshoes -

Horseshoes have been believed to be lucky for centuries. Ancient Greeks thought iron was lucky, but the horseshoe had enhanced power because its shape reflected the crescent moon, which was a symbol of fertility.

© Getty Images 

Horseshoes -

The belief was passed on to the ancient Romans and then to the Christians. The Middle Ages were rife with fears of witchcraft and evil spirits.

© Getty Images

Horseshoes -

People believed that hanging a horseshoe upside down on their doors would bring good luck. They also believed that witches were afraid of horses and would be deterred by the horseshoe.

© Getty Images 

Knock on wood -

Knocking on wood after saying something that could bring bad luck may be the most common superstition in the US.

© Getty Images 

Knock on wood -

There are a couple of theories about its origins. Some say it came from the religious tradition of touching a crucifix when making an oath.

© Getty Images 

Knock on wood - Other historians believe it began with European peasants knocking loudly on wood to ward off evil spirits.

© Shutterstock

Unlucky three - In East Asia, the number three can be considered unlucky. In Chinese numerology it has bad associations because the word "three" is similar to the word "separate" or the phrase "to part ways."

© Shutterstock

Unlucky three -

It's never recommended to give a wedding gift that has anything to do with the number three...

© Shutterstock

Unlucky three -

When taking a photo, it's very bad luck to have three people. The person in the middle is said to die first!

© Getty Images 

See also -

This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to interesting superstitions. 

Sources: (Live Science)

See also: Strange beliefs about the full moon! 

© Shutterstock