Superstitions Texans Believe From Bad Luck Friday the 13th & More

Exploring Generational Superstitions In All Texas Cultures

I grew up in and around a robust Latin culture. My mother's family migrated to the United States in the late 1890s, so they brought with them many of their culture's beliefs as well. Many of those beliefs were what a lot of us know today as, "superstitions," many of which were rooted in their culture and or faith.

As for my Dad's side of the family, much of their culture came from his ancestors who migrated north into California and then continued East into New Mexico where there is a very strong Native American Indian influence. They too had their religious and superstitious beliefs.

The Black Cat Superstition Fix

I will never forget the very first time we came back to the United States after being in Europe (Dad was in the Air Force). A black cat ran in front of our car, I recall my mother screaming at Dad to stop the car, and everyone had to roll down the windows and spit three times to ward off any bad luck that we were about to receive from that unlucky black cat.

Get our free mobile app

As I got to know my uncles, aunts, and cousins better, I learned our family was inundated with all sorts of superstitions. My mom's side of the family taught me more about superstitions than I ever wanted to know. Nonetheless, here are some superstitions from my Texas family in Marfa, El Paso, Alpine, Pecos, Odessa, Midland, and up in the Panhandle.

From Friday The 13th To Holding Your Breath at the Cemetery Superstitions

These are some superstitions my Texas family believes in, especially around Friday the 13th as bad luck tends to hover around (or so they say):

1. Friday the 13th Bad Luck: Some Texans avoid making big decisions or doing anything risky on this day because they believe it will bring misfortune. To avoid bad luck stay indoors and pray.
2. Black Cats Crossing Your Path: Like so many Texans believe that if a black cat crosses your path, it brings bad luck. Spit three times to ward off the bad luck.
3. Breaking a Mirror: The belief is you will get seven years of bad luck after breaking a mirror. To dispel the bad luck, put the broken mirror in a bucket full of water or take it to the lake or river and drop it in to drown the curse.
4. Horseshoes for Good Luck: Texans often hang horseshoes above doors to ward off bad luck, especially if the horseshoe is hung with the open end pointing upward to "catch" good fortune. Make it a "U" to catch the blessings.
5. Don’t Sweep Someone’s Feet: In Texas, some believe that sweeping over someone's feet brings bad luck and will prevent them from getting married.
6. Don’t Walk Under a Ladder: Walking under a ladder is thought to bring bad luck, to undo the curse back up then walk around the ladder.
7. Spilling Salt: If you spill salt, it's said to bring bad luck unless you throw a pinch over your left shoulder to ward off an evil curse.
8. Eat Black-Eyed Peas On New Year's Day for good luck and add collard greens or fried cabbage to your plate to be blessed with money all year long.
9. Purse On The Floor Oh this is a huge no-no, Women should never put their purses on the floor or they'll be broke for the rest of the year.
10. Holding your breath Anytime you're passing a cemetery/graveyard you'll have to hold your breath until you're well passed it to keep the spirits from jumping into your soul.

You Don't Have To Believe Or Participate In Superstitions

If you don't believe in superstitions (like me), you don't have to participate. Finally, that coin that is lying on the ground as 'they say' "if it's not heads-up it's not lucky!" I have always believed that it's God answering your prayer that you were asking God for because the coin says "In God We Trust" Prayer answered, amen!

So I'll end it with what I call them "Stupid-stitions." Happy Friday the 13th y'all.