I can't tell you how many times I've been yelled at for placing my purse on the floor, accidently breaking a pocket mirror, or scratching away an itch on my palm. There are countless superstitions in our culture and the consequences of some of them are straight-up scary.
More from MamásLatinas: 14 Latino terms of endearment that non-Latinos don't understand
Looking back, these superstitions seem pretty ridiculous, but for years I actually believed them. I'm sure you did, too! Or maybe you still believe them. Hey, I'm not judging!
With Halloween and Día de los Muertos around the corner, here are 20 Latino superstitions I know many of us still believe!
Don't place your purse on the floor.
Don't even think about placing it on the floor, unless you don't mind losing a ton of money.
The upside down broom has this special use.
Want to get rid of unwanted visitors? Just leave an upside down broom standing behind your door.
Dreams & teeth mean bad news is coming.
Supposedly dreaming about your teeth falling out means there will be a death in your family. Not to freak you out or anything, but this one has proved true for me!
Black cats are bad luck.
What is it with Latinos and cats? If you cross paths with a black cat you'll get bad luck and if you sleep with a cat or dog you'll become infertile. ¡Quélocura!
The Evil Eye and babies are a bad combination.
Don't let anyone stare or touch your newborn too much because they might curse them with the Evil Eye or Mal de Ojo. The poor kid might become sick with a bad fever or worse. Only way to prevent it is by making your child wear an azabache bracelet or necklace.
Don't pass the salt.
Don’t even waste your time asking your abuelita to pass you the salt because the only thing she'll actually do is lecture you on how that's bad luck. Believers of La Mal Sal superstition ask for the salt to be placed down on the table before they grab it on their own.
Don't break a mirror.
Want seven years of bad luck? Then break a mirror!
Don't sweep a single woman's feet.
Make sure you stay away from any single women the next time you sweep the floor. If you sweep her feet she'll never EVER get married.
Seashells are bad.
Like seashells? Too bad! Decorating your house with them will also bring you bad luck.
Don't scratch the itch.
If you feel an itch on your palm, don't scratch it! Instead slip it in your pocket, it means money is on its way!
Leave that baby's hair alone.
Apparently cutting your baby's hair before they learn to walk could delay them from walking. I've also heard if you cut their hair before they reach one they'll never learn how to talk.
Ward off evil with water.
A lot of Latinos I know keep a full glass of water on top of their fridges or even behind a door. This supposedly absorbs any negative energy or bad spirits you might have wandering in your home.
Ringing ear is most definitely bad.
If your ear starts to ring, watch out! Someone is talking about you. To ward off any negative wishes this person might have towards you, immediately bite your tongue.
Bread on the ceiling keeps you safe.
Another way people ward off demonic spirits is by gluing a piece of bread to the ceiling or over a door. I always wondered how those breads never mold!
Eat Grapes on New Year's.
If you eat 12 grapes right before midnight (on New Year's Eve) you'll secure 12 months of happiness the following year.
Wearing red underwear is good luck.
If you wear red underwear on New Year's Eve, not only will you be blessed with good luck but you might find your soul mate too!
Walking around with luggage means lots of travel in the future.
I've always heard that you should walk around the block, or down a flight a stairs with a suitcase on New Year's Eve because it means you'll have a year full of travel.
Toss water to start the year off right.
Throwing a bucket of water out the window helps you clean out the old year and brings good fortune for the new.
Make noise brings positive vibes.
For more good luck try loudly beating pots and pans if you don't mind your neighbors thinking you're a loca!
Put pennies under the carpet.
Moving into a new place? Stuff a ton of pennies underneath the carpets for good luck!
