One of the most dreaded days on the calendar is Friday the 13th because it is often associated with many superstitions of bad luck.

While the origin of these superstitions remains unclear for many, it is said to have started with the biblical story of the Last Supper.

During the Last Supper, Jesus sat with his 12 disciples in the upper room on Maundy Thursday. This was a day before his crucifixion on Good Friday.

Whether these superstitions are just fiction of the human imagination, there are a few superstitions that many people still live by today.

Black Cats

Have you seen any black cats today? It is believed that if a black cat crosses your path, then you are doomed to bad luck.

The fear of cats comes from the notion that the devil can take the form of a cat to carry out his evil deeds.

Whether this superstition is true or a myth, black cats have long been associated with bad luck.

Opening an umbrella inside a building

Many Jamaicans are often cautioned against the act of opening an umbrella inside a building. This action is said to trigger bad luck or accidents.

It is also believed that if women open an umbrella inside of a building, it may result in them not getting married or not being able to function in a long-standing relationship.

Broken mirrors

In this superstition, dating back to the ancient Romans, it is believed that breaking a mirror may lead to seven years of bad luck.

The mirror is believed to be a medium to see the reflection of one’s soul. Therefore, if that medium is broken then that means the soul has been broken as well.

It is also believed that if the mirror is broken into tiny pieces, then the state of one’s soul cannot be easily mended.

Throwing salt over your shoulder

The superstition of spilt salt is said to have originated from the biblical story of the Last Supper, where Judas Iscariot, the disciple who betrayed Jesus, knocked over a bowl of salt.

Similar to a broken mirror, or a black cat crossing your path, spilling salt is said to result in bad luck.

This bad luck can be remedied by throwing some salt over one’s shoulder to reverse the curse of bad luck.

Throwing away bread

Another common superstition is that the act of throwing away bread without wetting it will result in bad luck or, as many Jamaicans would say, ‘crosses’.

While it is not very clear where the superstition originated, it is believed that wasting bread is a sin.

Pointing at a grave

A prominent Jamaican superstition is that the act of pointing at a grave may evoke the wrath of the deceased spirits.

It is believed that, if you point to a grave, you must remedy the situation by biting your 10 fingers to prevent the spirits from being angry.

Jamaicans also live by the superstition that no one should be at the cemetery after 6 pm because this is the time when the deceased spirits are wide awake and roaming.