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Quizzes > Society & Culture

Superstition Trivia: How Well Do You Know Old Beliefs?

Quick, free superstition quiz on folk beliefs and omens. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Niamh GibbsUpdated Aug 23, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art black cat broken mirror horseshoe on dark blue background inviting superstition trivia quiz on spooky beliefs

This quiz helps you test your knowledge of superstition trivia, from lucky charms to eerie omens and everyday rituals. Check your answers, learn a few quick facts, and see which beliefs show up in your culture. After you play, dive deeper with ghost trivia, prowl myths in werewolf trivia, or relive spooky fun with Halloweentown trivia.

What traditional length of bad luck follows breaking a mirror?
Ten years
One year
Three months
Seven years
Breaking a mirror is said to bring seven years of bad luck due to ancient beliefs that mirrors hold pieces of the soul. Romans believed life renewed every seven years, so breaking a mirror damaged the soul for that cycle. This superstition persisted through medieval Europe. For more detail see .
In Western superstition, what does a black cat crossing your path signify?
Good luck
Neutral omen
Bad luck
Impending rain
In many Western traditions, a black cat crossing one's path is seen as an omen of misfortune, possibly linked to medieval associations of cats with witches. This belief spread through Europe and into North America. In some other cultures, black cats are considered lucky. For further reading see .
What material do people knock on to avoid jinxing a good situation?
Metal
Wood
Glass
Stone
The phrase "knock on wood" likely originates from ancient pagan cultures who believed spirits lived in trees, so knocking would call on protection. Over time, this practice became a general way to avoid tempting fate. It remains popular in many English-speaking countries. See .
Opening an umbrella indoors is commonly believed to bring what?
Protection
Bad luck
Good luck
Wealth
Opening an umbrella indoors is thought to offend household spirits or break a sacred boundary, thus bringing misfortune. This belief may stem from early umbrella designs which were cumbersome and could cause damage or injury inside. It evolved into a general bad-luck warning. More at .
Which number is considered unlucky in many Western cultures?
7
4
13
8
The number 13 is widely viewed as unlucky in Western societies, a belief known as triskaidekaphobia. It may derive from the Last Supper having 13 attendees before Jesus's crucifixion. Many hotels and airlines skip the 13th floor or row. See .
When hanging a horseshoe over a doorway for good luck, which orientation is most traditional?
At an angle
Horizontal
Points down
Points up
Horseshoes are traditionally hung with the ends pointing up to collect and hold good fortune like a vessel. If hung points down, the luck is said to drain away. This practice has roots in European folklore and spread worldwide. More at .
When you spill salt, over which shoulder should you throw a pinch for good luck?
Left shoulder
Neither
Both shoulders
Right shoulder
Tossing salt over your left shoulder is said to blind or ward off the devil who waits there to cause mischief. This superstition dates back to biblical times when salt was a symbol of purity. It persists in many cultures today. Read more at .
According to popular folklore, making a wish upon which celestial event may grant your wish?
Comet
Shooting star
Solar eclipse
Blood moon
Wishing on a shooting star comes from ancient mythology where falling stars were seen as gods looking down and granting favors. This belief was popularized in medieval Europe and remains a charming custom. For background see .
The origin of avoiding walking under ladders dates back to what belief?
Ladders were seen as devil's tridents
Triangular shape of ladder leaning against wall represented the Holy Trinity
Walking under ladder would break a tool
Ladder had sharp edges
In medieval Christianity the triangle was a sacred symbol of the Holy Trinity. Walking under a ladder leaning against a wall was seen as desecrating that holy shape. Additionally it posed a physical danger. More details at .
Carrying a rabbit's foot for good luck is believed to come from which tradition?
Native American
Asian
African
European
The rabbit's foot charm is rooted in African and African-American folk magic, where the animal's quickness implied powerful spiritual energy. This talisman was later popularized in 20th-century America. For more see .
In Chinese culture, why is the number four considered unlucky?
There are four seasons
Resembles death position
Pronunciation similar to word for 'death'
Fourth emperor was tyrant
In Mandarin and Cantonese the word for "four" (sì / sei) closely resembles the word for "death." This phonetic similarity makes the number inauspicious in many East Asian countries. Buildings often skip the fourth floor. See .
The superstition that Friday the 13th is unlucky is a combination of which two fears?
Fear of crowds and fear of Fridays
Fear of numbers and fear of thieves
Fear of the number 13 and fear of Fridays
Fear of black cats and ladders
Friday had long been considered unlucky in Western Christianity, and 13 was similarly feared. Their combination as Friday the 13th crystallized in the 19th century and was popularized by novels and films. For history see .
Tossing a coin into a fountain for luck originally related to what practice?
Paying tribute to the sun god
Thanking sea gods for safe passage
Celebrating river spirits
Offering to forest deities
The custom dates to ancient Greeks and Romans who threw coins into springs and fountains as offerings to gods of water and sea, seeking their favor. Over time it evolved into a wish-making tradition. Learn more at .
In superstition, dropping a knife is said to signal what?
Birth announcement
Death of a friend
Loss of fortune
Arrival of female visitor
Folk tradition holds that dropping a knife predicts the arrival of a female guest, while dropping a fork predicts a male visitor. These ideas likely arise from old customs linking household tools to social omens. See .
What does spilling wine at a gathering traditionally symbolize?
Impending drought
Disrespect to host
Financial loss
Coming of unexpected guests
In many European folk beliefs, spilling wine indicates that unplanned guests will arrive soon, so hosts should be prepared. This stems from generous hospitality traditions. The belief persists at celebrations worldwide. More at .
What common superstition surrounds Friday the 17th in Italy?
Unlucky day
Good luck day
National holiday
Wine festival
In Italy the number 17 (not 13) is considered unlucky, and a Friday the 17th combines two bad-luck symbols. This is rooted in Roman numerology and culture. Many Italians avoid travel or important events on that date. See .
What does crossing one's fingers behind your back traditionally signify?
Protection against evil
Hiding a lie or false promise
Enchantment
Promise of love
Crossing fingers behind one's back is a gesture dating to pagan times, used to nullify a promise or indicate deceit. It later evolved into a way to invoke luck when telling a white lie. The gesture remains common today. More at .
The rhyme "Find a penny, pick it up..." suggests what about finding a penny?
Brings good luck for the day
Guarantees marriage
Ensures wealth
Prevents misfortune
The children's rhyme "Find a penny, pick it up, all day long you'll have good luck" reflects a tradition that small found coins bring minor fortune. It likely began in medieval England when pennies were significant purchases. It endures as a lighthearted superstition. For background see .
In Chinese numerology which number is considered the luckiest due to its sound?
9
2
8
6
The number eight is prized in Chinese culture because its pronunciation "ba" closely resembles "fa," meaning wealth or fortune. This has led to high demand for phone numbers, license plates, and prices containing the digit. It's a cornerstone of Chinese numerology. See .
The tradition "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue" is meant to bring what?
Wealth to the couple
Good luck to the bride
Fertility in marriage
Peaceful journey
This English rhyme from the Victorian era outlines tokens a bride should wear for prosperity, love, and fidelity. Each item symbolizes continuity, optimism, borrowed happiness, and purity. Brides worldwide still follow it. More at .
Wearing red underwear on New Year's for good luck stems from which culture?
Russian
Spanish
Japanese
Brazilian
In Brazil (and some other Latin American countries), wearing red underwear on New Year's Eve is believed to attract love and passion in the coming year. The custom likely blends indigenous and Portuguese influences. It remains a popular holiday tradition. Read more at .
Sitting at the corner of a table is said to bring bad luck due to what belief?
You'll remain single
You'll lose money
You'll spill your drink
You'll break promises
A longstanding folk belief claims anyone who sits at a table's corner will remain unmarried or single. This may derive from early furniture design limiting corner seats to servants or children. It's still mentioned in family lore. For a note see .
What is the superstition about birds hitting windows?
A spirit entering home
Impending storm
Death omen if bird dies
The bird loses its way
Many cultures regard a bird crashing into glass and dying as a portent of death, either for someone in the household or nearby. This stems from beliefs about animal omens and shape-shifting spirits. The superstition persists despite scientific explanations. See .
What does the term 'triskaidekaphobia' mean?
Fear of mirrors
Fear of heights
Fear of darkness
Fear of the number 13
Triskaidekaphobia is the irrational fear of the number 13, a term coined in the early 20th century from Greek roots. It explains why many buildings skip labeling their 13th floor. This phobia affects hotels, airlines, and even hospitals. More at .
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand the origins of popular superstitions -

    Learn how beliefs about black cats, broken mirrors, and other eerie omens began and evolved across different cultures.

  2. Identify key Halloween superstitions trivia -

    Recognize the traditions and spookiest beliefs linked to Halloween, from jack-o'-lanterns to trick-or-treat rituals.

  3. Analyze common luck superstitions trivia -

    Examine superstitions tied to good and bad luck, such as four-leaf clovers, horseshoes, and the act of knocking on wood.

  4. Differentiate fact from myth in superstition trivia -

    Assess the credibility of various superstition facts quiz items and debunk widespread misconceptions.

  5. Apply and share your superstition quiz results -

    Reflect on your score, compare results with friends, and deepen your appreciation for mysterious traditions.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Cultural Transmission of Superstitions -

    Many superstitions are passed down via social learning, where community rituals and oral traditions reinforce beliefs over generations (University of Oxford Anthropology). For example, a child taught to knock on wood often internalizes the ritual as protective without questioning its origin. Mnemonic COSI (Culture, Observation, Social, Induction) helps recall how beliefs proliferate in folklore and superstition trivia.

  2. Confirmation Bias and Pattern Recognition -

    The brain's tendency to seek patterns and remember hits over misses fuels many spooky beliefs (Journal of Experimental Psychology, 2020). Seeing shapes in clouds or attributing a streak of bad luck to walking under a ladder are classic examples. Recognizing this bias is key to acing any superstition facts quiz with a critical mindset.

  3. Probability Pitfalls: Gambler's Fallacy -

    True random events remain independent, so a fair coin has a 50% chance of heads no matter how many flips precede it (Harvard Probability Theory). Believing that tails are "due" after several heads illustrates the gambler's fallacy and can be summarized by P(heads)=0.5 always. Understanding this formula will boost your score on any luck superstitions trivia.

  4. Iconic Luck Symbols: Black Cats & Broken Mirrors -

    Black cats became a bad-luck symbol in medieval Europe, while breaking a mirror allegedly curses you for seven years (Britannica). A simple "7+1" trick - seven years of misfortune plus one broken item - helps you remember the mirror myth. These symbols often surface in any superstition quiz or luck superstitions trivia, so tagging them together aids recall.

  5. Historical Roots of Halloween Superstitions -

    Many Halloween traditions trace back to the Celtic festival of Samhain and later Christianized as All Saints' Eve, combining rituals to ward off spirits (Smithsonian Institution). Carving turnips into lanterns evolved into today's jack-o'-lanterns, symbolizing protection from ghosts. This timeline is a must-know for any halloween superstitions trivia or superstition quiz enthusiast.

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