Friday the 13th

Since this month of February has the famous Friday the 13th in it I thought it would be appropriate to discuss legends, superstitions and myths that are held within different cultures. You may have heard of things like umbrellas being opened in the house is bad luck, or that at the time 11:11 you are to make a wish. What these are are superstitions held in cultures. What is ironic is that most people often find these superstitions ridiculous, or know that they obviously hold no truth, yet they still practice in them. How do these things come about, or in other words, how are ideas spread in cultures? One factor that causes ideas to spread within a culture is if the ideas are based on emotion. Researchers have found that statements containing emotion are more likely to be remembered and repeated among individuals. Another factor that causes ideas to spread and persist is if the ideas are minimally counterintuitive. This means that statements are slightly unusual, but not too crazy of an idea. We often see counterintuitive ideas in the bible, such as the virgin birth. So with that in mind it makes sense that these superstitions persist in culture, even though we know they are not likely true events. For example, consider the superstition "make a wish at 11:11" (if you havent heard of this, it simply means if you see a clock say 11:11 you are to make a wish and it will come true), this superstition evokes emotion. It evokes a positive, joyful emotion in the hopes that your wish will come true. But, at the same time, it is counterintuitive because does making a wish at a certain time mean it will come true? I like to think yes,because lets face it that would be awesome, but put gently, there doesn't seem to be any logic to that. I will end this blog with a few random and strange superstitions that are held around different cultures around the world that I have found online. Enjoy!

1)Carrying an acorn will keep you young forever

2)Eatting Lettuce will keep you from having children

3)An awkward silence means angels are passing over

4)Never give gloves as a present, it is bad luck

5)Seeing a goat means good luck

6)Eat grapes at midnight for good luck