Even More Superstitions Black People Have Passed Down From Generations

Eating collard greens and black-eyed peas the day after the ball drops has been a tradition in the Black community for decades. But it’s not entirely about the taste. According to author and food scholar Adrian Miller, greens are intended to symbolize financial success, while the peas represent good luck and health in the new year.

When you’re coming in from the rain, don’t even think about stepping inside the house before closing your umbrella. The idea that an open umbrella indoors brings bad luck dates back to the Ancient Egyptians, who believed an open umbrella away from the sun would anger Ra, the sun god.

They say the freaks come out at night. But some people believe the freaks come out during the night of a full moon. Many incidents of violence and other bad behavior have been blamed on the full moon. And, in fact, people on trial for murder in 18th-century England often used the full moon as a legal defense for a lighter sentence.

If you see a ring around the moon, don’t leave home without your umbrella. According to the Farmer’s Almanac, some thought seeing a ring around the sun or moon meant a storm was not far behind.

If you’ve got your sights set on a new home or a dream vacation, keep your eyes peeled for a shooting star. The idea that making a wish on a shooting star gives it a better chance of coming true dates all the way back to ancient Greece. 

In the American South, a shooting star was often interpreted as a soul being released from purgatory.

The Batammaliba people of Togo and Benin believed a solar eclipse meant that the sun and the moon were engaged in a battle. They used the time to come together and squash old beefs with others, according to National Geographic.

A sun shower is a rare occurrence, one that, according to Southern superstition was a sign that the Devil was beating his wife. Although there is absolutely nothing in science that backs up that claim, you probably have heard your grandmother say this a time or two.

If you get the gods angry, be prepared to be punished with lightning. In African folklore, it is believed that pissed-off gods would strike with lightning – the bolt of justice.

Before there was a birth control pill, people looked to the phases of the moon to help with their family planning. Some ancient civilizations believed that women were most fertile near the new moon.

You may have thought your parents were crazy when they told you to get off the phone during a storm. But believe it or not, they were right. According to the CDC, corded phones are not safe for use during storms. So if you don’t have a cell, it’s best to wait until the storm has passed.

Got an itchy foot? Well, pack your bags! Some believed an itchy right foot was a sign that you were about to take a long trip.

Growing up, you likely heard an older member of your family tell you that they feel cold weather or a storm coming on in their bones. That’s the time when their arthritis starts acting up, there is some scientific explanation to back this up.

According to the Arthritis Foundation, frigid temperatures can heighten pain sensitivity, slow blood circulation and cause muscle spasms—allowing you to physically feel the weather changes in your bones.

You may think rainbows are beautiful, but ancient Zulu believed differently. They believed rainbows were snakes that “drank from pools of water on the ground.” Don’t get caught slipping. They believed the snakes would swallow anyone hanging around the pools they drank from.

Close the door behind you! Ancient folklore suggests a bird flying into your house is a sign of bad luck – and may even mean a death is coming soon.

An African folk tale explains how the sun and moon found their way into the sky. According to the story, the Sun and Water were friends on Earth. After the Sun visited Water at his home, Sun returned the invitation. Although the invite was for one, Water couldn’t help but bring his people and overflowed the water forcing the Sun and the Moon into the sky.