an essay on superstitious beliefs

The science of superstition – and why people believe in the unbelievable

Reader in Applied Cognitive Psychology, Manchester Metropolitan University

Senior Lecturer and Researcher in Cognitive and Parapsychology, Manchester Metropolitan University

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The number 13, black cats, breaking mirrors, or walking under ladders, may all be things you actively avoid – if you’re anything like the 25% of people in the US who consider themselves superstitious.

Even if you don’t consider yourself a particularly superstitious person, you probably say “bless you” when someone sneezes, just in case the devil should decide to steal their soul – as our ancestors thought possible during a sneeze .

Superstition also explains why many buildings do not have a 13th floor – preferring to label it 14, 14A 12B or M (the 13th letter of the alphabet) on elevator button panels because of concerns about superstitious tenants. Indeed, 13% of people in one survey indicated that staying on the 13th floor of a hotel would bother them – and 9% said they would ask for a different room .

On top of this, some airlines such as Air France and Lufthansa, do not have a 13th row . Lufthansa also has no 17th row – because in some countries – such as Italy and Brazil – the typical unlucky number is 17 and not 13.

What is superstition?

Although there is no single definition of superstition , it generally means a belief in supernatural forces – such as fate – the desire to influence unpredictable factors and a need to resolve uncertainty. In this way then, individual beliefs and experiences drive superstitions, which explains why they are generally irrational and often defy current scientific wisdom.

Psychologists who have investigated what role superstitions play, have found that they derive from the assumption that a connection exists between co-occurring, non-related events. For instance, the notion that charms promote good luck, or protect you from bad luck.

For many people, engaging with superstitious behaviours provides a sense of control and reduces anxiety – which is why levels of superstition increase at times of stress and angst. This is particularly the case during times of economic crisis and social uncertainty – notably wars and conflicts. Indeed, Researchers have observed how in Germany between 1918 and 1940 measures of economic threat correlated directly with measures of superstition.

Superstitious beliefs have been shown to help promote a positive mental attitude . Although they can lead to irrational decisions, such as trusting in the merits of good luck and destiny rather than sound decision making.

Carrying charms, wearing certain clothes, visiting places associated with good fortune, preferring specific colours and using particular numbers are all elements of superstition. And although these behaviours and actions can appear trivial, for some people, they can often affect choices made in the real world.

Superstitions can also give rise to the notion that objects and places are cursed. Such as the Annabelle the Doll – who featured in The Conjuring and two other movies – and is said to be inhabited by the spirit of a dead girl. A more traditional illustration is the Curse of the Pharaohs , which is said to be cast upon any person who disturbs the mummy of an Ancient Egyptian person – especially a pharaoh.

Numbers themselves can also often be associated with curses. For example, the figure 666 in a licence plate is often featured in stories of misfortune. The most famous case was the numberplate “ ARK 666Y ”, which is believed to have caused mysterious vehicle fires and “bad vibes” for passengers.

Sporting superstitions

Superstition is also highly prevalent within sport – especially in highly competitive situations. Four out of five professional athletes report engaging with at least one superstitious behaviour prior to performance. Within sport, superstitions have been shown to reduce tension and provide a sense of control over unpredictable, chance factors.

Superstitions practices tend to vary across sports, but there are similarities. Within football, gymnastics and athletics, for example, competitors reported praying for success, checking appearance in mirror and dressing well to feel better prepared. Players and athletes also engage with personalised actions and behaviours – such as wearing lucky clothes, kit and charms.

Famous sportspeople often display superstitious behaviours. Notably, basketball legend Michael Jordan concealed his lucky North Carolina shorts under his Chicago Bulls team kit. Similarly, the tennis legend Björn Bork, reportedly wore the same brand of shirt when preparing for Wimbledon.

Rafael Nadal has an array of rituals that he performs each time he plays. These include the manner in which he places his water bottles and taking freezing cold showers. Nadal believes these rituals help him to find focus, flow and perform well.

Walking under ladders

What all this shows is that superstitions can provide reassurance and can help to reduce anxiety in some people. But while this may well be true, research has shown that actions associated with superstitions can also become self-reinforcing – in that the behaviour develops into a habit and failure to perform the ritual can actually result in anxiety .

This is even though the actual outcome of an event or situation is still dependent on known factors – rather than unknown supernatural forces. A notion consistent with the often quoted maxim , “the harder you work (practice) the luckier you get”.

So the next time you break a mirror, see a black cat or encounter the number 13 – don’t worry too much about “bad luck”, as it’s most likely just a trick of the mind .

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Essay On Superstition

500 words essay on superstition.

Ever since a long time, we have seen man believe in some kind of power unseen. Even though they can’t see it, they feel it is present and working. This is what gives rise to superstitions. They are unreasonable and irrational but they still exist all over the world. Through essay on superstition, we will go through it in detail.

Origin of Superstitions

The man started to believe in superstitions when he got a feeling that humans are at the mercy of natural elements. Similarly, some superstitions were also created because of social values. As a result, people worship forces of nature for a long time.

The Greeks and Pagans used to worship elements of nature in the form of Gods and Goddesses. Same is the case with Indian tradition. People continue to worship the sun, moon, stars, planets, plants and more believing these things have the power to influence our lives.

You might have heard ‘it is because of the impact of some evil star’ and more when a disease overtakes or disaster strikes. Even the people in the West have been believing in them. You will find instances in Shakespeare’s plays where he includes things like omens, witches and more.

In fact, ever since a long time till date, people still consider the number 13 to be unlucky. Similarly, salt spilling over the dinner table is also an ill-omen. In India , people consider the black cat crossing the way to be unlucky. Similar is the case of an owl hooting or a dog wailing.

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India and Superstitions

India has a long history of superstitions. There are many superstitions which people in this country follow. When someone sneezes during the time of departure, people consider it unlucky.

Similarly, when you hear long mewing of a cat, people consider it a bad omen. Alternatively, offering curd before the start of any journey is auspicious. A group which follows superstitions a lot are students appearing for an examination.

Weeks before exams, the visit to temples starts to grow. Some of the students also get a taveez with a lucky stone to help them out. Further, some students place their stationery for the exam in the prayer room.

Most common superstitions include not cutting nails at night, not using the broom after sunset, not opening the scissors without cutting anything, not looking at oneself in a broken mirror and many more.

Even some political leaders in India believe in superstitions. For instance, they wait for an auspicious day to file their nomination or take an oath. In other words, even in the highest places, people do follow superstitions.

Conclusion of the Essay on Superstition

If we look at it closely, there is no logic as such behind the beliefs in superstitions. However, they have grown age-old and despite all the scientific advancement, they are not going anywhere soon. However, it is better to subject ourselves less to them otherwise each moment of our life will be on the edge.

FAQ of Essay on Superstition

Question 1: What are some superstitions followed in India?

Answer 1: In India, people consider the black cat crossing the way to be unlucky. Similar is the case of an owl hooting or a dog wailing. Indians also offer curd before the start of a journey.

Question 2: What is the importance of superstition?

Answer 2: For several people, engaging with superstitious behaviours offers a sense of control and eases anxiety. This is why levels of superstition rise at times of stress and angst. This is mostly the case during times of economic crisis and social uncertainty notably wars and conflicts.

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Home — Essay Samples — Life — Superstition — Why people believe in superstitions

Why People Believe in Superstitions

Categories: Superstition

About this sample

Words: 627 |

Published: Nov 15, 2018

Words: 627 | Page: 1 | 4 min read

Works Cited:

Edwards, J. (1741). Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God. Retrieved from https://www.ccel.org/ccel/edwards/sermons.sinners.html
Fish, S. E. (1980). Interpreting Jonathan Edwards: An essay on religious, language, and cultural interpretation. Pennsylvania State University Press.
Gonzalez, O. (2010). The hand of God: A reassessment of Jonathan Edwards' view of divine sovereignty. Church History and Religious Culture, 90(1-2), 157-181.
Holmes, S. (2008). God of grace and God of wrath: An analysis of Jonathan Edwards’ view of God in light of his sermon “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”. Journal of the Grace Evangelical Society, 21(41), 21-38.
Kapic, K. M. (2014). Jonathan Edwards: A life. Yale University Press.
Miller, P. (2008). Sinners in the hands of an angry god: A sermon preached at Enfield, July 8th, 1741. Bibliolife.
Ritchie, J. E. (1997). Jonathan Edwards: His life and legacy. Westminster John Knox Press.
Robinson, J. A. T. (1962). The wrath of God and the passion of Christ: Jonathan Edwards’ analysis of the atonement. Eerdmans.
Stout, H. S. (1991). The preaching of Jonathan Edwards. Journal of American History, 78(1), 63-91.
Wainwright, W. J. (1961). Jonathan Edwards: Preacher of the gospel. Abingdon Press.

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Essay on Superstitions

Students are often asked to write an essay on Superstitions in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Superstitions

What are superstitions.

Superstitions are beliefs that are not based on facts or reason. They are often passed down from one generation to the next, and they can vary from culture to culture. Some common superstitions include the belief that breaking a mirror will bring bad luck, that walking under a ladder will cause bad luck, and that finding a four-leaf clover will bring good luck.

Why Do People Believe in Superstitions?

There are a few reasons why people believe in superstitions. Some people believe that superstitions are true because they have seen them happen in their own lives. Others believe that superstitions are a way to control their environment. By following superstitions, people feel like they can protect themselves from bad luck or bring about good luck.

Are Superstitions Harmful?

Superstitions are not always harmful. In some cases, they can be a source of comfort and reassurance. However, some superstitions can be harmful. For example, the belief that it is bad luck to walk under a ladder can lead to people avoiding ladders altogether, which can make it difficult to get work done.

Superstitions are a part of human culture. They can be a source of comfort and reassurance, but they can also be harmful. It is important to be aware of the potential dangers of superstitions and to make choices that are based on facts and reason, not on superstition.

250 Words Essay on Superstitions

Examples of superstitions.

There are many different superstitions. For instance, some people think that breaking a mirror will bring seven years of bad luck. Others believe that finding a four-leaf clover will bring good luck. These ideas have been passed down through generations.

People often believe in superstitions because they offer a sense of control over the unknown. When something unexplainable happens, it’s comforting for some to think there’s a reason behind it, even if it’s based on superstition. Also, tradition plays a big role. If families or communities have believed in certain superstitions for a long time, it can be hard for individuals to stop believing in them.

Superstitions Today

Even today, with all our knowledge and technology, superstitions still exist. They might not be as strong or widespread as before, but you can still find people who avoid walking under ladders or who get nervous if a black cat crosses their path. It shows that superstitions, no matter how old, still have a place in our modern lives.

In conclusion, superstitions are fascinating because they show how humans try to understand and control the world around them, even when it doesn’t make much sense. It’s a reminder of the power of belief and tradition in our lives.

500 Words Essay on Superstitions

Superstitions: beliefs and practices.

Some people believe in superstitions because they think it will bring good luck or protect them from bad luck. Others may believe in them out of habit or because they were taught to believe in them as children. Superstitions can vary from culture to culture and may change over time.

Superstitions: Origins and Prevalence

Superstitions: lucky charms and bad luck.

Certain items or actions are often associated with good luck or bad luck in various cultures. For example, some people believe that a four-leaf clover brings good luck, while others believe that spilling salt brings bad luck. Some cultures may believe in lucky charms like amulets or talismans.

Superstitions: Fortune-Telling and Signs

Some superstitions involve fortune-telling or the belief that signs can predict the future. For instance, some people may believe in the power of horoscopes or tarot card readings to provide insights into their lives. Others may look for signs in everyday occurrences, such as seeing a black cat or hearing a bird call, as indicators of good or bad fortune.

Superstitions: Effects on Behavior

Superstitions: cultural and regional differences.

Superstitions can vary significantly among different cultures and regions. For example, in some cultures, it is considered unlucky to walk under a ladder, while in others, it is seen as a sign of good luck.

Superstitions are beliefs and practices that may vary across cultures and time. They can be rooted in ancient traditions, fears, or a desire to make sense of the world. While some superstitions may be harmless, others may lead to irrational or obsessive behaviors. Understanding the cultural and historical context of superstitions can provide valuable insights into the beliefs and practices of different communities.

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81 Superstition Essay Topics & Examples

Are you nervous when seeing a broken mirror? Maybe it’s time to write an essay about superstitions!

🏆 A+ Superstition Essay Examples

📌 best superstitions essay topics, 👍 controversial topics about superstition, ❓ questions about superstitions.

A superstition is any practice or belief that is considered to be irrational or attributed to magic. Most of the superstitions are deeply rooted in regional and national cultures. Though opposed by religion and science throughout history, superstitions have survived to this day. In your superstition essay, you might want to focus on its meaning or the negative effects. Another idea is to talk about various superstitions from around the world. Finally, you can tell the reader about opposition to superstition. Whether you need to write a 250-words essay or a research paper, our article will be helpful. It contains superstition essay examples together with best title ideas and topics about superstitions.

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Superstitions: The Behavioral Approach In this context, the appearance of the superstition phenomena as a result of such conditioning can be accurately explained by the behavioral approach.
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The Science of Superstition: Why People Believe in the Unbelievable

Summary: Researchers investigate why some people believe in superstitions. They reveal that, for many, superstitions can reduce anxiety and create a positive mental attitude.

Source: The Conversation.

On top of this, some airlines such as Air France and Lufthansa, do not have a 13th row. Lufthansa also has no 17th row – because in some countries – such as Italy and Brazil – the typical unlucky number is 17 and not 13.

What is superstition?

Although there is no single definition of superstition, it generally means a belief in supernatural forces – such as fate – the desire to influence unpredictable factors and a need to resolve uncertainty. In this way then, individual beliefs and experiences drive superstitions, which explains why they are generally irrational and often defy current scientific wisdom.

For many people, engaging with superstitious behaviours provides a sense of control and reduces anxiety – which is why levels of superstition increase at times of stress and angst. This is particularly the case during times of economic crisis and social uncertainty – notably wars and conflicts. Indeed, researchers have observed how in Germany between 1918 and 1940 measures of economic threat correlated directly with measures of superstition.

Superstitious beliefs have been shown to help promote a positive mental attitude. Although they can lead to irrational decisions, such as trusting in the merits of good luck and destiny rather than sound decision making.

Superstitions can also give rise to the notion that objects and places are cursed. Such as the Annabelle the Doll – who featured in The Conjuring and two other movies – and is said to be inhabited by the spirit of a dead girl. A more traditional illustration is the Curse of the Pharaohs, which is said to be cast upon any person who disturbs the mummy of an Ancient Egyptian person – especially a pharaoh.

Numbers themselves can also often be associated with curses. For example, the figure 666 in a licence plate is often featured in stories of misfortune. The most famous case was the numberplate “ARK 666Y”, which is believed to have caused mysterious vehicle fires and “bad vibes” for passengers.

Sporting superstitions

Walking under ladders

This is even though the actual outcome of an event or situation is still dependent on known factors – rather than unknown supernatural forces. A notion consistent with the often quoted maxim, “the harder you work (practice) the luckier you get”.

So the next time you break a mirror, see a black cat or encounter the number 13 – don’t worry too much about “bad luck”, as it’s most likely just a trick of the mind.

Source: Neil Dagnall and Ken Drinkwater – The Conversation Publisher: Organized by NeuroscienceNews.com. Image Source: NeuroscienceNews.com image is in the public domain.

[cbtabs][cbtab title=”MLA”]The Conversation”The Science of Superstition: Why People Believe in the Unbelievable.” NeuroscienceNews. NeuroscienceNews, 6 July 2018. <https://neurosciencenews.com/superstition-science-belief-9522/>.[/cbtab][cbtab title=”APA”]The Conversation(2018, July 6). The Science of Superstition: Why People Believe in the Unbelievable. NeuroscienceNews . Retrieved July 6, 2018 from https://neurosciencenews.com/superstition-science-belief-9522/[/cbtab][cbtab title=”Chicago”]The Conversation”The Science of Superstition: Why People Believe in the Unbelievable.” https://neurosciencenews.com/superstition-science-belief-9522/ (accessed July 6, 2018).[/cbtab][/cbtabs]

I think the infinite nature of unknownness is the primary reson for the never ending fears and beliefs in the unbelievable things.

What’s one culture’s superstition is another culture’s reality. Neuroscience News posted an article in Mar/18 called, “Certain Smiles aren’t All They’re Cracked Up to Be” which discussed how “dominance smiles” create a fear based response in recipients. Such “dominance smiles” are frequently discussed in narcissistic abuse forums as generating more fear/helplessness than verbal abuse. In other cultures, this phenomenon would be referred to as “the evil eye” and many cultures take this very seriously. There are Kabbalist scholars who create pendants with Holy words to ward off evil intentions of others. To them, evil is not a superstition.

It is only when one does not attend to what one is doing with complete interest that one needs diversions through religious, spiritual activities, superstitions. Why one does not attend to what one is doing with full interest? One does not bear ‘pain and uncertainty’ as it arises. Escapes give (illusory) comfort. The error is that we want ‘to deal with’ the uneasiness that is generated when we face loss, defame, rejection or unpleasant thoughts. We fear touching this sense of uneasiness. To let this uneasiness be is to connect to the Original energy. We are always making efforts to seek relief from this sense of uneasiness. Hence dullness, decay. Nothing can exist without contrasting features, day-night, hot-cold, without gap between polarities, today-tomorrow, action-result, without contrasting feelings, pain-pleasure, stress-relief.

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Magical Thinking

Superstition: the good, the bad and the ugly, there is a proclivity to see superstition as sometimes good or sometimes bad..

Posted June 24, 2023 | Reviewed by Devon Frye

Superstition is a way of behaving that is based on fear of the unknown and/or a faith in magic or luck.
Superstitions that may be considered “good” tend to be about the belief in the unstable resource of luck.
Superstitions that are considered “bad” tend to be based on fear of the unknown.
There can be negative psychological implications to superstitious beliefs and behaviors.

Superstition is defined as a way of behaving that is based on fear of the unknown and/or faith in magic or luck. For some, superstition brings meaning to the random nature of luck. But superstition has also been speculated to exist along the same continuum as obsessive compulsive disorder, or OCD (Brugger & Viaud-Delmon, 2010).

These researchers stressed the distinction between superstitious belief and superstitious behavior. Here, we are talking about superstitious belief, which is a belief resulting from fear of the unknown, trust in magic, chance, or a false conception of causation. In healthy individuals, superstitious behavior can occur without accompanying beliefs in non-existent causative forces.

There are some nuances within superstitious beliefs as well. Some individuals see superstitious beliefs as helpful while others see them as threatening. There is a proclivity to see superstition as sometimes good or sometimes bad. There may be a need to consider the potential psychological ramifications of maintaining superstitious beliefs.

The Good Side of Superstitions

Superstitions that may be considered “good” tend to be about a belief in the unstable resource of luck. Good luck superstitions include lucky numbers, lucky pennies, lucky horseshoes, finger-crossing, itchy right palms, and many more. These good luck superstitions are believed to help superstitious believers to relieve their anxiety about unknown situations.

“One’s belief in good luck, and belief that it is a personal trait, could play a crucial role in gambling behavior, and can lead gamblers to have an irrational anticipation to win and to over-generalize their subjective sense of control (Kim et.al, 2015).” The value of good luck appears to be related to an increased need for a feeling of control. This may be especially significant in situations where the individual is feeling some loss of control and there is the potential for bad events to occur, like losing money.

The Bad Side of Superstitions

Superstitions that could be considered “bad” tend to be those based on a fear of the unknown. These include such superstitions as knocking on wood, throwing salt over your shoulder, walking under a ladder, a broken mirror, stepping on a crack, itchy left palms, and many others. All these superstitions tend to increase anxiety, induce fear, and establish avoidance patterns for those who believe in them.

Avoiding these “bad” superstitions could potentially transform superstitious beliefs into superstitious behaviors, which moves them closer on the continuum to OCD. Superstitions do seem to have the power to influence our thinking and in extreme cases our behavior.

Superstition fits into the dual process theory of psychology, popularized by psychologist Daniel Kahneman as "thinking fast and slow." Superstitions are believed to arise from the fast, intuitive thought process, rather than the more deliberate critical thinking process. Intuitive thought tends to, at times, be more impulsive and automatic, which could lead to misinterpretations and inaccurate reactions.

The Ugly Side of Superstitions

Are there negative psychological implications to superstitious beliefs, and possibly superstitious behaviors? The so-called “good” superstitions that rely on luck may help relieve some anxiety but may have other drawbacks.

Luck negates skill. Are we accepting our successes as luck when they are really about our skills? Are we depending, foolishly, on luck to get us through a dangerous situation? Luck is an unstable resource, which cannot be relied upon with any certainty.

The “bad” superstitious beliefs and behaviors have several negatives that may contribute to psychological issues. Anxiety, fear, and avoidance patterns are self-limiting factors to healthy functionality.

Critical thinking tends to be displaced with more intuitive thought in both “good” and “bad” superstitious beliefs and behaviors. The cost of these beliefs may be marginal most of the time; however, the contagion of superstitions can become embedded, as the cultural history of such beliefs has proven over time.

Brugger, P. & Viaud-Delmon, I. (2010). Superstitiousness in obsessive-compulsive disorder. Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscince, 2010 June; 12(2): 250-254.

Kim, S., Kwon, Y., & Hyun, M. (2015). The effects of belief in good luck and counterfactual thinking on gambling behavior. Journal of Behavioral Addictions, 2015 Dec 21; 4(4): 236-243.

Bruce Wilson, Ph.D. has been a psychologist in private practice in Australia and New Zealand since 1993.

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May 3, 2024

Why Do Superstitions Persist among Seemingly Rational People?

Superstitions linger into the modern era, in part, because they may be holdovers from a time when they provided a measure of protection from predators and other mortal dangers

By Deena Mousa

Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs.

Michael Owens/Getty Images

Quarterback Patrick Mahomes wears the same pair of red underwear on every National Football League game day. After donning the undergarment during a successful first season in 2017, Mahomes continued to put it on before each game, believing it would bring him good luck. “If we’re on a hot streak, I can’t wash [the pair].... I just got to keep it rolling,” he said in an interview with ESPN.

Mahomes’s game-day uniform is a classic example of a superstition, a ritual that links certain actions or items to unrelated outcomes without any basis in reason or evidence. Superstitions often center around the belief that an object, person or situation is imbued with magical power that makes good or bad things happen.

Counterintuitively, superstitions persist today, sometimes among the most seemingly rational of people, in spite of our purportedly robust ability to understand the world around us.“I’m going to be a little radical—I think we are all basically superstitious all the time,” says Erol Akçay, a theoretical biologist at the University of Pennsylvania, who has studied how superstitions may spread.

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A psychology study published in 2024 suggests that very few people show a complete lack of superstitious beliefs or practices. So why do we remain superstitious, even though it is clearly irrational and could lead us astray? It turns out superstitions may provide certain psychological benefits.

One reason may be that indulging a superstition can alleviate stress. In a 2018 study by researchers at the University of Singapore , a subset of the 114 participants were randomly assigned to complete a stressful task—an interview and mental arithmetic problem performed in front of a panel of two judges—or a no-stress control task. Some of the participants were given a pen they were told had proven lucky for others, while others received a pen without any such commentary. Those with the “lucky” pen experienced less anxiety and rated their own performance more positively.

The benefit of a superstition may go beyond just emotional comfort: In 2010, psychologists at the University of Cologne found that invoking good-luck-related superstitions—by telling participants phrases such as “I keep my fingers crossed” or giving them a “lucky charm”—measurably improved performance in activities as varied as golfing, motor dexterity, memory games and anagram puzzles.

The researchers suggest that participants did better when superstitions were invoked because they experienced an increase in self-efficacy, a belief in their ability to succeed at their goal. Participants primed with superstitious comments reported a greater sense of self-efficacy compared with a control group.

Superstitious beliefs can also amplify placebo effects. A 2021 study in the journal Cognitive Processing hypothesized that people who are more superstitious would get a bigger boost from a placebo treatment during a memory task. The authors split 104 participants into placebo and control groups. After assessing everyone’s superstitious tendencies, they gave the participants in the placebo group colored water and told them it enhanced memory. Highly superstitious people who drank the supposed memory elixir recalled more words than their less superstitious counterparts—and the opposite was true for those in the control group, who drank a plain glass of water. Even though superstitions have no magical powers, the psychological impacts of believing in them can tangibly affect outcomes.

Yet superstitions also come with costs. Whether you cross the street to avoid walking under a ladder, knock on wood for good luck or perhaps throw salt over your shoulder to ward off evil spirits, those actions take time, thought and effort. And the investment may go unrewarded: a properly secured ladder, for example, poses no actual threat. Why would people embrace such unfavorable trade-offs in the first place?

An analysis published in 2007 in Human Nature suggests that superstition is the inevitable result of humans using what is called an adaptive learning strategy. Our species learns by observing the world, identifying patterns and adapting beliefs accordingly. We need rules to distinguish between real patterns and randomness, however. Those rules must account for both the cost of a false belief that one thing causes another (the essence of superstition) and the cost of failing to recognize a relationship that really does exist.

While superstition involves mistaken interpretations and wasteful rituals, failing to notice true cause and effect — not recognizing, for example, that a certain plant is poisonous or that a type of cloud precedes dangerous weather — can exact an even higher price. In balancing the risks of both types of errors, people are sometimes bound to misjudge a situation.

A study published in 2009 in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences examines the conditions under which superstitiousness aids survival. When making decisions in uncertain environments, the researchers find, it can be advantageous to err on the side of forming incorrect cause-and- effect linkages. This is particularly true when the risk from missing a genuine threat is much higher than the risk from a false alarm. Even if the rustling of a bush usually results from wind, if it is sometimes a lion, you are better off acting as though every unsettling noise is life-threatening.

On the other hand, when acting on superstition is relatively costly, the benefits of holding these beliefs might start to fade. In modern life, we rarely confront high-stakes survival situations, and science and technology offer powerful means to interpret and influence events, putting superstitiousness at a disadvantage.

“[These beliefs] serve a certain function,” says Boris Gershman, an economist at American University, who has theorized about the origins of superstitions. “A corollary of that is we should expect [superstitions] to dissipate once… the function they are supposed to perform is fulfilled in other ways.”

But superstitions might be slow to fade if they continue to provide comfort and alleviate stress, even if they afford no obvious benefit. “These beliefs can be quite persistent,” Gershman says. “You learn something from your parents, and your children learn it from you. That is a powerful thing.”

Why Do We Believe In Superstitions Even Though We Know They’re Irrational?

What are superstitions, how does our mind make judgments, why do superstitious beliefs arise, why do superstitions persist.

Superstitions can primarily be seen as mechanisms to cope with uncertainty and fear. Superstitious behavior is a product of two variables—the production of an error by System 1, and the failure of System 2 to correct the error.

Have you ever said something foreboding and immediately knocked on a piece of wood? Or picked up a penny from the street because it brings you good luck? We all do something like this— a personal tradition, or a habit.

Millions of people wish on stars, cross their fingers for luck, and believe that bad news comes in threes.

Despite being a rather intelligent species with well-developed brains, we can’t seem to stop believing in superstitions, fearfully obeying them, and feeling relieved when a good omen appears.

PIGEON POOPED ON MY HEAD; NOW I AM INVINCIBLE

Dealing With Uncertainty

Superstitions can thus be seen as a mechanism for us to feel like we’re capable of understanding, predicting and partly controlling the uncertain environment that surrounds our existence. Therefore, people who are exposed to more uncertainty, stress and anxiety have a higher chance of being superstitious than others.

However, superstitious behavior is not limited to a small number of stressed out people or those experiencing unusual circumstances; even normal people leading ordinary, comfortable lives exhibit superstitious behavior. So why are most people casually superstitious? Why are superstitions so common, despite being so irrational?

Before answering this, we need to understand a few things about our mind and how it makes judgments.

Also Read: Can Superstition Be Used For Good?

Psychologists Daniel Kahneman and Shane Frederick, in their dual process model (corrective model), suggested that two separate cognitive systems are involved in the process of thinking and reasoning. System 1 is the fast and intuitive system that quickly (and almost automatically) responds to judgment problems as they arise.

On the contrary, System 2 is a slow and methodical system. It deliberately uses reasoning to monitor problems, so as to either endorse or correct the suggestions of System 1.

Frederick developed a Cognitive Reflection Test to measure one’s ability to suppress an incorrect System 1 answer and come to a more thought-out correct answer. One of the questions in it was as follows:

“A bat and a ball cost $1.10 in total. The bat costs $1 more than the ball. How much does the ball cost?”

Due to System 1, an intuitive answer spontaneously comes to our minds—ten cents.

steve harvey cognitive reflection test tricky meme

If we think just a bit more, however, System 2 will realize that this answer is incorrect. If the ball cost ten cents, then the bat and the ball would together cost $1.20, instead of $1.10. The correct answer must therefore be 5 cents, with the bat costing $1.05.

When we answer incorrectly (and say “ten cents”), it shows that we depended only on System 1, and didn’t give System 2 the time and mental resources to cross-check the answer. If we had engaged System 2, it would have almost certainly detected the error, overridden the intuition, and answered correctly.

However, what does this have to do with us believing in superstitions?

According to the mechanism described above, if System 1 in our mind produces a superstitious intuition, it will translate into our behavior, in the event that System 2 does not catch the error.

For example, on the night of a football match, a football fan might think “I need to wear my lucky shirt while watching the match”, and if System 2 does not intervene, he will wear his lucky shirt and be optimistic about the game. However, if System 2 is given a chance to step in—for example, if he is unable to find his shirt—he may be forced to reconsider his initial beliefs. If System 2 overrides the behavior by recognizing his belief as irrational, he will wear another shirt.

Therefore, superstitious behavior is a product of two variables—whether such an error is produced by System 1, and whether the error remains uncorrected by System 2.

Also Read: What Are Some Superstitions Involving Animals?

In addition to its need to understand and control uncertainty, System 1 shows a few peculiar features responsible for superstitious thinking. The reason why most people are susceptible to superstitious thinking is because these System 1 features are universal.

The human mind is biased towards similarity in its understanding of cause and effect.

Many tribes refrained from consuming the meat of slow animals because they believed that such a diet would make them slow too. Some people believe that consuming plants with long lives allows them to also live longer. In these examples, similarity has been assumed to be a proof of causality. However, similarity between two things does not always mean that one thing is the cause of the other.

Another example of similarity-based beliefs is the Chinese aversion towards the number 4 (四, pinyin: sì, jyutping: sei 3 ), because it sounds like the word for “to die” (死, pinyin: sǐ, jyutping: sei 2 ). This results in people preferring to spend more and buy something priced at a higher price, instead of something that costs the unlucky price of $4.

Tempting Fate

Imagine that you’re sitting in class and the professor is choosing students at random to answer his questions. You may be thinking, “I am unprepared and will therefore definitely be called on”. You feel that you “tempted fate” by coming to class unprepared, and are thus more likely to be chosen by the professor.

People believe that anything they do or say might increase the likelihood of the opposite happening. For example, leaving your umbrella at home, thinking “It will not rain today”, will actually increase the probability of getting stuck in the rain later that afternoon.

This happens because the moment we think or do something to tempt fate, all the negative possibilities rush into our minds. Since negative thoughts are, by nature, more accessible, System 1 automatically makes a connection between tempting fate and negative outcomes, making us feel that these negative outcomes are especially likely once we have tempted fate in some way.

Jumping To Conclusions

What is most comforting (and almost captivating) about superstitions is that they have the ability to provide an explanation for everything. System 1 frequently detects patterns that don’t really exist, and is capable of forming a cause-effect explanation about almost any two things. This means that if anything good or bad occurs in conjunction with a particular action, we readily jump to the conclusion that the action caused the outcome, which may not always be true.

An example of this can be seen during sports matches. One of my friends decided to use the bathroom while watching a soccer match at my house last week. When he came back, he found that his favorite team had finally scored a goal while he was away. He believed that his actions (relieving himself) had caused the team to score a goal, so he spent the remaining time of the match in the bathroom!

In a similar way, many of our superstitions stem from this tendency of System 1 to take insufficient evidence and jump to conclusions.

These are just a few reasons why superstitions arise. However, if System 2 caught these errors, we wouldn’t continue to be superstitious. This begs the question—why doesn’t System 2 override and discard these superstitious intuitions as irrational?

One way of looking at it is to believe that System 2 is somewhat lazy and inattentive. In the earlier example of the bat and ball, people answered incorrectly because they simply didn’t take the time and effort to calculate the correct costs.

An interesting observation is that people sometimes continue to behave in a certain way, even after realizing that their behavior is irrational.

A study required people to pour sugar into a container and then label it as “ Poison ”. It was found that people, despite having poured the sugar themselves, later refused to consume it. They knew that their negative feelings were irrational, but they could not get themselves to shake their intuition away. Thus, another possible reason why System 2 might not override is that it is weak in the face of powerful intuition. It detects the error, but chooses not to correct it.

Yet another reason why superstitions continue to exist is confirmation bias . Confirmation bias is the tendency of our mind to favor information that validates our existing beliefs. For example, if we think that a certain person is “bad”, information that corroborates this thinking is more likely to jump into our minds, thereby confirming our initial thought.

Strangely though, people continually repeat the same superstitious behavior, even when the subsequent evidence clearly goes against it. For example, if a person believes that his favorite team wins their matches whenever he wears his lucky shirt, but then his team loses, he might dismiss the error by saying, “It doesn’t count because one of the main players was injured” or “It probably works when I wear my lucky shirt AND eat potato chips.”

Some people truly don’t believe in superstitions, yet they engage in superstitious practices. They might call themselves rational people and still forward a chain message that threatens bad luck if the recipient breaks the chain. They think: the cost of forwarding the message is negligible, but if there is even a remote possibility that the magical threats are true, the cost will be huge. Thus, even though they don’t believe in such a superstition, they think it’s only rational to protect themselves against it, just in case it does turn out to be true.

Superstitious or not, you can’t deny that superstitions are quite interesting—and not always bad! Like most other things, they can be healthy within limits, and are sometimes a charming piece of familial nostalgia. However, if you find yourself constantly fretting about the results of your superstitious behavior, it might be wise to break those (irrational) habits as soon as possible!

Risen, J. L. (2016, March). Believing what we do not believe: Acquiescence to superstitious beliefs and other powerful intuitions. Psychological Review. American Psychological Association (APA).
https://cogsys.sites.olt.ubc.ca/files/2016/11/Risen-2016-superstition-acquienscence.pdf
Evans, J. S. B. T. (2003, October). In two minds: dual-process accounts of reasoning. Trends in Cognitive Sciences. Elsevier BV.
Frederick, S. (2005, November 1). Cognitive Reflection and Decision Making. Journal of Economic Perspectives. American Economic Association.

Sushmitha Hegde is a Commerce graduate from University of Pune. She can say “hello” in 61 different languages, but she is learning Spanish so she can say more. She loves to talk about topics ranging from taxation and finance to history and literature. She is just a regular earthling who laughs at her own jokes, cries while watching movies and is proud of her collection of books!

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Essay on Superstition 1000+ Words

Superstitions have been a part of human culture for centuries. From avoiding black cats to knocking on wood, these beliefs are intriguing and often shape our behavior. In this essay, we will explore the world of superstition, its origins, significance, and how it continues to influence our lives.

Defining Superstition

Superstition refers to irrational beliefs or practices that are often based on fear or ignorance. People believe in superstitions to bring good luck, avoid bad luck, or control the unpredictable. Superstitions can vary greatly from one culture to another and even from one person to another.

Historical Roots

Superstitions have deep historical roots and have evolved over time. Ancient civilizations, like the Egyptians and Greeks, had their own superstitions related to gods, nature, and the supernatural. Some of these beliefs continue to influence modern superstitions today.

Cultural Significance

Superstitions are an integral part of culture. They shape traditions, rituals, and even everyday habits. For example, in many cultures, it’s considered unlucky to walk under a ladder or to break a mirror. Understanding these cultural superstitions can help us appreciate the diversity of human beliefs.

Psychological Comfort

Superstitions often provide psychological comfort. They can give people a sense of control in uncertain situations. Studies have shown that engaging in superstitious behavior can reduce anxiety and boost confidence. In this way, superstitions can have a positive impact on mental well-being.

Rituals and Habits

Superstitions often manifest as rituals and habits. For instance, athletes may have pre-game rituals to ensure good performance. Many people have lucky charms or wear specific clothing on important occasions. These rituals help individuals feel more prepared and confident.

Impact on Decision-Making

Superstitions can influence decision-making, especially in high-stakes situations. For example, a student might believe that wearing a certain shirt will bring them good luck during an exam. This belief may affect their performance and confidence.

Common Superstitions

Some superstitions are so widespread that they are known around the world. Common examples include avoiding walking under a ladder, carrying a rabbit’s foot for luck, and not opening an umbrella indoors. These superstitions are often passed down through generations.

Cultural Variations

Superstitions can vary greatly across cultures. In some cultures, the number 13 is considered unlucky, while in others, it’s the number 4. Understanding these cultural differences can help us respect and appreciate diverse beliefs.

Skepticism and Rational Thinking

While many people believe in superstitions, others are skeptical and rely on rational thinking. They may see superstitions as illogical and not based on evidence. Promoting critical thinking and education can lead to a better understanding of the world and a reduction in superstitions.

Conclusion of Essay on Superstition

In conclusion, superstitions are a fascinating aspect of human culture and psychology. They have deep historical roots, influence our behavior and decisions, and provide comfort in uncertain times. Superstitions can vary widely from one culture to another, highlighting the rich tapestry of human beliefs.

While superstitions can be fun and comforting, it’s important to strike a balance between tradition and rational thinking. By understanding the origins and significance of superstitions, we can appreciate their cultural value while also fostering critical thinking and skepticism when necessary. Superstitions remind us of the complexity of human beliefs and the enduring power of tradition in our lives.

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Essay on Superstition

Have you ever discontinued walking through that road if a black cat crosses your path? What happened when you feel your left palm itchy? Have you ever crossed your fingers when feeling nervous? Does your mother give you curd and sugar before going to work? If yes, then surely you have heard about these superstitions.

Many people still follow these superstitions for good luck. To learn more about them, today we will discuss Superstition in detail.

Short and Long Superstition Essay in English

Here, we are presenting long and short essays on Superstition in English for students under word limits of 100 – 150 Words, 200 – 250 words, and 500 – 600 words. This topic is useful for students of classes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 in English. These provided essays will help you to write effective essays, paragraphs, and speeches on Superstition.

Superstition Essay 10 Lines (100 – 150 Words)

1) Superstition is an illogical belief that something will bring good luck or bad luck.

2) Sometimes, people believe that certain numbers, colors, or objects can bring them luck.

3) It can lead to a false sense of security and create unrealistic expectations.

4) Superstitions can be found in many cultures.

5) Superstitions can motivate people to work harder and achieve goals.

6) However, it can provide comfort and reassurance when situations are uncertain.

7) Superstitions can help people to cope with anxiety.

8) Sometimes, it can lead to a distorted view of reality by neglecting scientific evidence.

9) It can also lead to a rejection of evidence-based knowledge.

10) For example, it is believed that entering a house through the back door is bad.

Short Essay on Superstition (250 – 300 Words)

Introduction

Superstition is a belief or practice that is based on useless fear of the unknown rather than on logical reasoning or scientific facts. It is an ancient form of belief that has been around for thousands of years and is still prevalent in many cultures today. Superstition can be a positive or negative influence on people, depending on how it is used and interpreted.

One of the advantages of superstition is that it can give people a sense of comfort and security in an uncertain world. Believing in superstitions can also help people cope with difficult situations, as they may feel that they have some control over their fate or that luck is on their side.

Disadvantages

The main disadvantage of superstition is that it can lead to harmful decisions and behavior. Superstitions can also lead to fear and anxiety, as people may worry that their actions will lead to bad luck or misfortune. It can also lead to a lack of critical thinking and discourage creativity. Sometimes, it can create a state of superstitious paralysis, where people are unwilling to take action. Superstitions can also lead to a reliance on luck instead of taking responsibility.

A superstition is an ancient form of belief that is still prevalent in many cultures today. While superstitions can provide a sense of comfort and security, they can also lead to irrational decisions. Therefore, it is important to remember that superstition is a form of belief and not a scientific fact and should not be used as a substitute for logical reasoning or scientific inquiry.

Long Essay on Superstition (500 Words)

Superstition and science have been at odds with one another since the dawn of time. Superstition is defined as a belief in supernatural forces or luck that can influence events, while science is based on the observation of facts and the formulation of theories through experimentation. Throughout history, superstition has been used to explain and predict events, while science has been used to create and explain the world around us.

What is Superstition?

Superstition is defined as a senseless belief or practice that is based on luck or fate. In other words, it is a belief in supernatural powers that influence our lives and the events that happen around us. This belief is often rooted in a deep-seated fear of the unknown or a lack of scientific understanding. Superstitions can vary widely, with some being harmless, while others have the potential to hurt our lives.

Origins of Superstition

The origins of superstition are unclear and have been the subject of debate for centuries. Some scholars believe that superstition is a result of primitive man’s attempt to explain natural phenomena, while others suggest that it is a product of the early religious beliefs of primitive cultures. However, the superstition persists today in many parts of the world.

Superstition: A Belief Beyond Logic

Superstition has been around for centuries and still exists in many cultures today. Superstition is an illogical belief that an object, action, or circumstance not logically related to a course of events influences its outcome. It is a belief in supernatural causality, which is a belief that one event causes another without any physical process linking the two events. It is derived from fear and ignorance and can be passed on from one generation to the next.

The Role of Superstition in Everyday Life

Superstition plays an important role in everyday life. Many people believe that certain actions can bring good luck or bad luck, and superstitions often provide a sense of security and comfort. For example, some people believe that carrying a lucky charm or engaging in certain rituals can bring good luck. Superstitions are often used to ward off bad luck and to bring good fortune.

The Effects of Superstition

While superstitions can be comforting, they can also have a negative effect on people’s lives. Superstitious beliefs can lead to irrational behavior and can result in people feeling helpless and powerless. Additionally, superstitions can lead to fear and anxiety and can interfere with decision-making. Sometimes, people may find superstitions fun and interesting, but it is important to remember that superstitions are not based on fact. It can have both positive and negative effects, depending on how it is used and interpreted.

Science has helped to counter superstitious beliefs by providing evidence-based explanations for natural phenomena. By providing logical explanations for natural events, science has helped to displace superstition and has provided a more logical way to explain the world. Therefore, superstition and science can be used together to create a better understanding of the world.

I hope the above-provided essay on Superstition will be helpful to you in understanding the effects, advantages, and disadvantages of superstition.

FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions on Superstition

Ans. Religion is based on faith, while superstitions are based on fear and a belief in supernatural forces.

Ans. Yes, superstitions can be harmful if they lead to foolish behavior.

Ans. No, superstition does not have any scientific basis.

Ans. People believe in superstitions because they provide a sense of comfort and control in the face of uncertainty.

Ans. Superstitions can come from different cultures and religions as well as personal experiences.

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1 (page 1) p. 1 C1 The origins of superstition

Published: January 2020
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‘The origins of superstition’ describes practices of magic, prophecy, and divination in the ancient world, and the changing meaning of superstition through time. Throughout its long history, superstition has been a transactional concept with no fixed meaning of its own except in contrast to some other, more accepted world-view. The origin of the concept is found in ancient Greece in the 4th century bce , and for the next 2,000 years, superstition stood in contrast to the religious practices recommended by the elites. The word ‘superstition’ has often been levelled at practices that, even today, we would consider magical or paranormal, and yet versions of most of these practices are still with us.

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superstition

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LiveScience - 13 Common (But Silly) Superstitions
McClintock and Strong Biblical Cyclopedia - Superstition
Humanities LibreTexts - Superstition
WebMD - The Psychology of Superstition
National Center for Biotechnology Information - PubMed Central - The value of superstitions
Healthline - Superstitions: What They Mean for Your Mental Health
Digital Encyclopedia of European History - Gender of Superstition
superstition - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)

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superstition , belief, half-belief, or practice for which there appears to be no rational substance. Those who use the term imply that they have certain knowledge or superior evidence for their own scientific, philosophical, or religious convictions . An ambiguous word, it probably cannot be used except subjectively. With this qualification in mind, superstitions may be classified roughly as religious, cultural, and personal.

Every religious system tends to accumulate superstitions as peripheral beliefs—a Christian , for example, may believe that in time of trouble he will be guided by the Bible if he opens it at random and reads the text that first strikes his eye. Often one person’s religion is another one’s superstition: the Roman emperor Constantine referred to some non-Christian practices as superstition; the Roman historian Tacitus called Christianity a pernicious superstition; Roman Catholic veneration of relics, images, and the saints is dismissed as superstitious by many Protestants; Christians regard many Hindu practices as superstitious; and adherents of all “higher” religions may consider Australian Aboriginal peoples’ relation to their totem superstitious. Finally, all religious beliefs and practices may seem superstitious to the person without religion.

Superstitions that belong to a cultural tradition (in some cases inseparable from religious superstition) are enormous in their variety. Many persons, in nearly all times, have held, seriously or half-seriously, irrational beliefs concerning methods of warding off ill or bringing good, foretelling the future, and healing or preventing sickness or accident. A few specific folk traditions, such as belief in the evil eye or in the efficacy of amulets , have been found in most periods of history and in most parts of the world. Others may be limited to one country, region, or village, to one family, or to one social or vocational group.

Finally, people develop personal superstitions: a schoolboy writes a good examination paper with a certain pen, and from then on that pen is lucky; a horseplayer may be convinced that gray horses run well for him.

Superstition has been deeply influential in history. Even in so-called modern times, in a day when objective evidence is highly valued, there are few people who would not, if pressed, admit to cherishing secretly one or two irrational beliefs or superstitions.

NCERT Books

Superstitions Essay | Essay on Superstitions for Students and Children in English

Superstitions Essay: Man has kept on believing in some power unseen but present and working. It is this belief of his which has given rise to superstitions. They are unreasonable and irrational, though but they had been existing and they still exist inspite of all science and scientific development. They exist and are believed in not only in the East but also in the West.

Long Essay on Superstitions 500+ Words in English

Short essay on superstitions 300 words in english, 10 lines on superstitions.

What are superstitious beliefs?
What is the purpose of superstitions?
What are the effects of superstitious beliefs?
How do superstitions affect our lives?

Long and Short Essays on Superstitions for Kids and Students in English

Given below are two essays in English for students and children about the topic of ‘Superstitions’ in both long and short form. The first essay is a long essay on the Superstitions of 400-500 words. This long essay about Superstitions is suitable for students of class 7, 8, 9 and 10, and also for competitive exam aspirants. The second essay is a short essay on the Superstitions of 150-200 words. These are suitable for students and children in class 6 and below.

Below we have given a long essay on Superstitions of 500+ words that are helpful for classes 7, 8, 9, and 10 and Competitive Exam Aspirants. This long essay on the topic is suitable for students of class 7 to class 10, and also for competitive exam aspirants.

The man began to believe in superstitions when he had a feeling that he was at the mercy of natural elements. Some superstitions also were created due to social values.

Forces of nature had ever been worshipped. Even the Greeks, the Pagans worshipped elements of nature in the forms of gods and goddesses. There were gods and goddesses among Pagans for every phenomenon or force of nature. So has it been with the ancient Indian tradition? The sun, moon, stars, planets, even plants were and continue to be worshipped with the belief that they have, the power to influence our lives.

Calpumia, the wife of Julius Ceasar, in Shakespeare’s play ‘Julius Ceasar’ sees a dreadful dream which foretells her of some grave tragedy befalling her husband. The horses are said to grow wild and eat one another before King Duncan is killed by Macbeth in the play Macbeth. Storms blow before tragedy overtakes King Lead in the play by Shakespeare. All these happenings show how people believed in such superstitions.

Even till today the number ‘13’ is treated as an inauspicious number in England; the salt spilling over the dinner table is treated as an ill-omen.

In India, a cat crossing the way while someone departs on a journey or someone sneezing at the time of departure for a journey is treated as ill-omens. The hooting of an owl or the wailing sound of a dog or the long mewing of a cat in the backyard of the house is treated as bad omens; while a pot full of milk or water being carried in front on the onset of a journey is an auspicious thing. Curd offered before the start of a journey or a fish presented before on the doorstep when one leaves on a journey is treated as auspicious signs in India.

Even if caught in a traffic jam the candidate would not take the shorter route as the longer route has been auspicious. The stationery to be carried for the examination should be put in the ‘puja’ room the night before the examination in the morning. The girl had been doing so ever in the past and had secured ‘A’ grade marks so how could she give that up.

Such are superstitions they might be considered weird OP, wild but they are there and no science, no advancement of knowledge perhaps can take these away.

It is, perhaps, a sense of insecurity or just a sense of faith due to past positive or negative experiences which sets the mind to keep on believing in superstitions. They may appear irrational but, somehow, they are there East, West, North, South that has nothing to do with it they have been there and they may continue to be there even the most educated would also go with them and keep them at the back of their minds.

Political leaders are found waiting for the auspicious day or the auspicious hour to file their nominations for elections or take the oath of office. All this is even at the highest places when science has so far advanced.

Students can find more English Essay Writing Topics, Ideas, Easy Tips to Write Essay Writing, and many more.

Below we have given a short essay on Superstitions is for Classes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. This short essay on the topic is suitable for students of class 6 and below.

There are superstitions that have been created out of some Social Considerations. Sleeping at dusk is treated as a sign that one may fall ill. It is actually that one should not be languid or lazy in the evening. Do not cut the ‘Peepal’ or the ‘Banyan’ tree that only is a superstition to save trees from destruction. Dogs are very sensitive to natural calamities and become very restless before a natural calamity actually occurs.

These are some of the superstitions which generally people keep believing in the West as well as in the East. The human mind and human soul keeps on believing that there is some hidden power somewhere which ‘governs their lives and this is the basis of some of these superstitions. The belief in them has gone on, also because some of the superstitions believed in have proved to bring about the anticipated results or effects. Maybe it is just coincidental but that makes belief in them all the more firm.

There is no logic behind belief in these superstitions but they have grown age-old and even all the scientific advancement of thought does not make them disappear.

But the less we subject ourselves to them the better, otherwise, every moment of life would be on tenterhooks.

Superstitions and belief in them are only due to the fact that man believes in some power beyond his comprehension which influences his life.
Forces of nature had even been worshipped both in the West as well as in the East.
‘Evil stars’ that one says when some tragedy befalls.
Shakespeare has depicted superstitions in his plays. He also brings Ghosts and witches in his plays.
There are certain superstitions in which people still behave in the West as well as in the East.
Perhaps some coincidence has confirmed the faith in them.
Examinees have their own superstitions and examples of their beliefs are numerous and of varied sorts, and they cannot be given up for their own reasons.
Some Social considerations are also the basis of certain superstitions don’t sleep at dusk, don’t harm or cut certain trees.
How so much science may advance superstitions and belief in them shall continue.
Though one must not be too much governed by them otherwise every moment of life would be full of anxiety and tension.

What are the effects of superstitious beliefs

FAQs on Superstitions Essay

1. What are superstitious beliefs?

Superstition is any belief or practice-based upon one’s trust in luck or other irrational, unscientific, or supernatural forces. Often, it arises from ignorance, a misunderstanding of science or causality, a belief in fate or magic, or fear of that which is unknown.

2. What is the purpose of superstitions?

Superstitious beliefs have been shown to help promote a positive mental attitude. Although they can lead to irrational decisions, such as trusting in the merits of good luck and destiny rather than sound decision making.

3. What are the effects of superstitious beliefs?

Superstitious beliefs can have a negative impact on the social well-being of people in society because they are highly associated with financial risk-taking and gambling behaviors.

4. How do superstitions affect our lives?

That’s because superstitions often provide the illusion of control. Believe it or not, being superstitious can affect your behavior and state of mind, influencing everything from your preparation for and performance on a particular challenge to your responsiveness to placebos.

Essay On Superstitions

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Set 1: Essay On Superstitions

Superstitions are the illogical believes that remain inexplicable, mysterious and strange because of lack of sufficient knowledge and outlook. However, today, superstitions are on the decline because of the spread of education, reasoning and scientific advancement. Yet, they may not be wiped out from society for a long time. Even educated people have their own superstitions. Emotional doubt, religious orthodoxy, blind belief in absurd rituals, customs and practices make people an easy prey of the superstitions.

Superstitions are not limited to a specific part of the globe, people, race or community. They are universal and found all over the world in various forms. They are more common among uneducated and scientifically less advanced people and societies. Superstitions are being passed on from generations, especially through religious practices.

Belief in supernatural powers, evil spirits, ghosts and spiritual healing, etc. have their deep roots in superstitions. For example, sighting of shooting stars and comets, the fear of number 13,cries of certain birds like owls and wailing of dogs, mewing of cats, howling of jackals and braying of the ass at certain hours are still regarded as warning in many communities all over the world. When some occurrences cannot be explained and understood, people start fearing them and give them divine, spiritual and secretive roots.

In spite of advancement of science and technology, the grip of superstitions on human mind is strong. Although India has seen many fast changes, but there are some people who are superstitious and have a strong faith in the local beliefs.

Most of the Indian beliefs exist under the impression of protecting themself from evil forces. These beliefs have no scientific reasoning and are unproven and false. There are many Indian beliefs that are absurd. Some people assume that Friday is not a favourable day for haircut while some think that Saturday is good for purchasing new things. Moreover, sneezing when someone is about to start work, is considered inauspicious.

Likewise, the crossing of the path by a cat, especially a black one, is regarded as bad luck. Sacrifice of birds and animals to please the Gods and Goddesses is a common practice among many communities all over the world. However, besides these, there are lucky superstitions too, which are regarded as good luck and fortune.

People have actually failed to draw a line between religious faith and blind faith. We regard certain hours and days as inauspicious and thus, consult astrologers to know the lucky days and hours to start our work and journey. Similarly, the time and date of marriage are fixed according to the advice of astrologers and the positions of the planets and stars.

The need of the hour is to cultivate more and more rationality and scientific approach in things, including those that are mysterious. We must be alert and watchful so that none of the superstitions can dominate our abilities of reasoning.

Set 2: Essay On Superstitions

Superstitions are rooted in ignorance and so is very very bad. Boasting is a bad habit and many people do boast. Most people boast about their riches or skill or possession which is harmless to the listeners. But there are many who boast about their ignorance and their closeness to primitiveness by being superstitious. The very sad part is that even the very educated type of people easily tend to believe in superstitions.

Many superstitions are very amusing. The fear of the number 13 is very common and very clearly seen in the topmost position holders in the country. Most of them wouldn’t dare start a new venture on the 13th of any month. If a cat and worse still a black cat crosses the street often times people just stop short and wait for someone else to cross the cat’s path before continuing on their way. Because it is supposed to bring bad omen.

Similarly the howling of a dog, braying of a donkey, the hooting of an owl and the howling of a jackal are all considered ominous. It is commonly believed that a worn-out horse-shoe brings good luck if fixed on to the door of a house. It is very sad indeed, that people don’t even mind appearing so ridiculous after conforming to such and many other superstitions.

At the time when small pox was a common disease, it was considered as the result of divine wrath or the visit to the house by a certain goddess whom they have to welcome. Advancement in medical sciences have resulted in the eradication of small-pox with no effect on the superstitions.

Set 3: Essay On Superstitions

People have a tendency of believing certain things that are not real, logical or reasonable. Many people believe that if a cat, especially a black one crosses their path then their work will not be done. However, there is no scientific proof to show that this is true. As soon as people see a black cat crossing their path, they turn around, go back and start walking all over again. Such people are the victims of superstitions and blind belief.

Almost all of us have some or the other silly belief in the corner of our minds. We can catch our silly beliefs by reasoning them. We must utilize the power of our own mind to think, understand and examine the situation. After this, we must find the courage to throw out the mindless belief from our mind. We must understand that the silly belief is nothing but a superstition. Therefore, superstition is a belief that is not based on reason or knowledge. Unawareness, fright and illiteracy leads to superstition.

As far as India is concerned, although the country has seen many fast changes, but there are people who are superstitious and have a strong faith in the local beliefs. Most of the Indian beliefs exist under the impression of protecting themself from evil forces. These beliefs have on scientific reasoning and are unproven and false. There are many such Indian beliefs that are illogical and absurd. The daily life of many people is led by beliefs and superstitions. For example, some people assume that Friday is not a favourable day for haircut while some think that Saturday is good for purchasing new things.

Different religious practices are also responsible for the spread of superstitions. The curved horseshoe outside the main door of the house is always said to bring good luck. In addition to this, some other illogical human actions that are assumed to bring good luck to a person include, crossing the fingers to fulfil ones wish and knocking on something made from wood. Certain superstitious things that are believed to bring bad fortune for a person are breaking a mirror, stepping on a cracked object and walking under a ladder. However, it has not been proved whether these superstitions actually bring bad luck to a person or not.

As early man had no scientific knowledge, he offered human sacrifices to please his deity. He worshiped various forces of nature like moon, wind, sun, fire and rain. He strongly believed that they controlled the universe, as they were sometimes kind and sometimes very harsh. Centuries later, witchcraft became a famous superstition in many European countries. People imagined that there were old wicked women who had sold their souls to the evil spirits.

Today in scientific age, slowly the evil of being superstitious is being thrown out of men’s mind. He is becoming more and more rational. However, our knowledge will not grow until all the superstitions are totally thrown out of our mind and from society.

Set 4: Essay On Superstitions

Man has kept on believing in some power unseen but present and working. It is this belief of his which has given rise to superstitions. They are unreasonable and irrational, though but they had been existing and they still exist inspite of all science and scientific development. They exist and are believed in not only in the East but also in the West. Man began to believe in superstitions when he had a feeling that he was at the mercy of natural elements. Some superstitions also were created due to social values.

Forces of nature had ever been worshipped. Even the Greeks, the Pagans – worshipped elements of nature in the forms of gods and goddesses. There were gods and goddesses among Pagans for every phenomena or force of nature. So has it been with the ancient Indian tradition. The sun, moon, stars, planets, even plants were and continue to be worshipped with the belief that they have the power to influence our lives.

‘It is the effect of some evil star’ that is what people say when some disease or disaster overtakes them. This is what even the people of the West have been believing. Shakespeare has made full use of these superstitions in his plays. Ghosts and witches have been made significant characters by Shakespeare in his plays. Calpurnia, the wife of Julius Ceasar, in Shakespeare’s play ‘Julius Ceasar’ sees a dreadful dream which foretells her of some grave tragedy befalling her husband. The horses are said to grow wild and eat one another, before King Duncan is killed by Macbeth in the play Macbeth. Storms blow before tragedy overtakes King Lead in the play by Shakespeare. All these happenings show how people believed in such superstitions.

Even till today the number ’13’ is treated as an inauspicious number in England; the salt spilling over the dinner table is treated as an ill-omen.

In India, a cat crossing the way while some one departs on a journey or some one sneezing at the time of departure for a journey are treated as ill-omens. The hooting of an owl or the wailing sound of a dog or the long mewing of a cat in the backyard of the house are treated as bad omens; while a pot full of milk or water being carried in front on the onset of a journey is an auspicious thing. Curd offered before the start of a journey or a fish presented before on the doorstep when one leaves on a journey are treated as auspicious signs in India.

Students going to appear at the examinations are still another group in India who are much too susceptible to superstitions. A visit to the temple prior to proceeding for the examination – it is time to turn to religion and beliefs. Candidates turn to a ‘taveez-wala’ a lucky stone. A boy going for the examination forgets his pen at home, he would not go back home but preferring borrowing it from his friend candidates going back. home once set out for examination is a bad omen. Even if caught in a traffic jam the candidate would not take the shorter route as the longer route has been auspicious. The stationery to be carried for the examination should be put in the ‘puja’ room the night before the examination in the morning. The girl had been doing so ever in the past and had secured ‘A’ grade marks so how could she give that up.

Such are superstitions they might be considered weird or wild but they are there and no science, no advancement of knowledge perhaps can take these away. It is, perhaps, a sense of insecurity or just a sense of faith due to past positive or negative experience which sets the mind to keep on believing in superstitions. They may appear irrational but, somehow, they are there East, West, North, South that has nothing to do with they have been there and they may continue to be even the most educated would also go with them and keep them at the back of their minds. there it Political leaders are found waiting for the auspicious day or the auspicious hour to file their nominations for elections or take the oath of office.

All this is even at the highest places when science has so far advanced. There are superstitions which have been created out of some Social Considerations. Sleeping at dusk is treated as a sign that one may fall ill. It is actually that one should not be languid or lazy in the evening. Do not cut the ‘Peepal’ or the ‘Baniyan’ tree – that only is a superstition to save trees from destruction. Dogs are very sensitive to natural calamities and become very restless before a natural calamity actually occurs.

These are some of the superstitions which generally people keep believing in the West as well as in the East. Human mind and human soul keeps on believing that there is some hidden power somewhere which governs their lives and this is the basis of some of these superstitions. The belief in them has gone on, also because some of the superstitions believed in have proved to bring about the anticipated results or effects. May be it is just coincidental but that makes belief in them all the more firm.

There is no logic behind belief in these superstitions but they have grown age-old and even all the scientific advancement of thought does not make them disappear.

But the less we subject ourselves to them the better, otherwise every moment of life would be on tenterhooks.

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Superstition Essay | Essay on Superstition for Students and Children in English

Superstition Essay: Superstition is nothing but irrational belief in something. Weakness, fear, melancholy, together with ignorance are the true sources of superstition. If a Hindu believes that a dip in holy Ganges will wash away all his sins, it is just an irrational belief without any basis. It is often a tradition passed down to us from our forefathers.

Superstition is the religion of feeble minds. – Edmund Burke

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Long and Short Essays on Superstition for Kids and Students in English

Given below are two essays in English for students and children about the topic of ‘Superstition’ in both long and short form. The first essay is a long essay on the Superstition of 400-500 words. This long essay about Superstition is suitable for students of class 7, 8, 9 and 10, and also for competitive exam aspirants. The second essay is a short essay on Superstition of 150-200 words. These are suitable for students and children in class 6 and below.

Long Essay on Superstition 400 Words in English

Below we have given a long essay on Superstition of 500 words is helpful for classes 7, 8, 9 and 10 and Competitive Exam Aspirants. This long essay on the topic is suitable for students of class 7 to class 10, and also for competitive exam aspirants.

Superstition flourished in the past when mystery surrounded everything, and man had no knowledge and could not understand the phenomenon of nature. He believed in supernatural and worshipped various gods and goddesses. Every ordinary fact which he could not understand was considered a miracle. Later the people who were more intelligent became his teacher, also befooled him into believing their clever performances to be miracles. The objects of nature, changes of seasons and everything he could not understand became a miracle and thus a superstition.

Every country has its own superstitions, but it can be agreed without contraction, that the east is more contemplative and thus more superstitious than west.

There are some superstitions which are universally recognized. For instance, a shooting star is considered a very bad omen universally. Shakespeare writes in his play Julius Caesar:

When beggars die there are no comets seen in the skies. Heavens themselves set forth the death of princes. Both in England and India the howling of a dog at night is supposed to show the presence of an evil spirit nearby.

Some more popular superstitions prevalent in India. If a person is to start a journey and another person happens to sneeze only once, it is considered ill for the person who is to begin his journey, although two or three sneezes are considered harmless. Among the Hindus it is considered an ill omen to begin a new task on Saturday.

Again, studies can be started on Saturday it is considered lucky. If a cat crosses your path, it is not a good omen. The screech of an owl is considered ill omen and harbinger of some calamity. If a man’s right eye throbs, it is indicative of some good but if a woman’s right eye throbs, it is considered ill-omen. The itching of right palm is indicative of the arrival of money. If a crow sits on the head of a person, his death is supposed to be imminent. Considering buying or bringing iron in the house on a Saturday is dangerous is another superstition.

In England, even today, the number thirteen is feared and avoided. They avoid walking under a ladder to avoid disaster.

Short Essay on Superstition 200 Words in English

Below we have given a short essay on Superstition is for Classes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. This short essay on the topic is suitable for students of class 6 and below.

There are many superstitions based on ghosts, witches and spirits. Often, houses are supposed to be haunted. Lincoln’s ghost is still seen in White House. When a woman suffers from hysteria, she is supposed to be overpowered by some ghost or witch. Many people, even the educated ones go to some so-called fraudulent people to get rid of evil spirits. Such people are another version of witch-doctor of South Africa.

The source of superstition lies in the thinking of man. When some problem is not removed by earthly efforts or is not understood, we tend to be superstitious and try to find its solution by other means. Burke has rightly said that superstition is the religion of feeble minds. In reality weakness, fear of the unknown, ignorance and illiteracy are the true sources of superstition.

Modern era with all its progress of education, science and technology is not devoid of superstition. New superstitions in idolizing child, laborer and other factors are present. Therefore superstitions, it seems, are going to persist. To some extent, everyone is superstitious, only when it goes to its extremes, it is dangerous. According to Goethe superstition is the poetry of life.

Superstitions stand in the way of progress and civilization and make our perspective limited and enhance our weakness. We hesitate and falter in taking decisions and therefore we cannot contribute to progress thoughts. Superstitions are a hindrance to clear thinking, reasoning and logic. Superstition, at best, should be avoided and not encouraged otherwise we will also be doing the same what our forefathers did.

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Believing Superstitions That You Know Aren't True

March 30, 2016

Traditionally, research on superstition has focused on people's cognitive shortcomings. But superstitions are not limited to individuals with cognitive deficits; there are many smart, educated, emotionally stable adults who have superstitions too. So why are superstitious beliefs pervasive and what can that tell us about the way that people think more broadly?

In a recent Psychological Review (2016) article (PDF, 263KB) , Jane Risen makes two arguments.

First, she suggests that we can improve our understanding of superstition by considering the interaction between our "fast" and "slow" systems of thinking. Fast and slow, or "dual process models" of cognition, propose that one set of mental processes operates quickly and automatically to provide an initial intuitive judgment, while the other operates slowly and deliberately and is responsible for overriding intuitive judgments when it detects an error. A dual process account can help explain why superstitious thinking is widespread. It can also tell us why particular superstitions are formed and not others, and why superstitious beliefs are maintained even though they are not true.

Second, Risen suggests that to explain why superstitious beliefs are maintained even when people know they are not true, the existing model must be refined. People who hold superstitious beliefs and engage in actions that reflect those beliefs often realize — in the moment — that their thoughts and behaviors are irrational. Thus, the model must allow for the possibility that people can recognize that their intuitive judgment is wrong and believe it anyway.

Most models of judgment and decision making don't allow for this possibility — they assume that when an error is detected it will be corrected. Risen notes that this is not always the case. Sports fans wearing a lucky shirt in their living room, for example, may recognize that their shirt cannot affect play on the field and yet still feel more optimistic about the game when they wear it. Thus, she offers a modification to the model, explicitly separating error detection from error correction. With the modified model, sports fans can detect an error in their intuitive judgment, but fail to correct it nevertheless.

Although superstitious beliefs are often harmless, the argument for separating error detection and error correction applies beyond superstition. And, if people can benefit from correcting faulty beliefs, then it is important to recognize error detection and error correction as separate processes because fixing an error effectively depends on understanding where things are breaking down.

Sometimes the problem is not that people lack the information needed to recognize that they are making errors but that they are unable — or unwilling — to correct them.

Citation: Risen, J. L. (2016). Believing what we do not believe: Acquiescence to superstitious beliefs and other powerful intuitions. Psychological Review, 123 (2), 182–207. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/rev0000017

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Essay on Superstitions

Illiterate and weak-minded people all over the world often are a prey to superstitions. Their lives are ruled by them and they base their actions on the various superstitious beliefs.

Superstitious people can be called backward. They tend to interpret every phenomenon irrationally. They assess a happening illogically and even guide their actions on the basis of these beliefs.

Although most people know that superstitions are based on imagination and are nowhere close to the truth, but quite a few people are still guided by superstitions.

For example some common superstitions are : thirteen is an unlucky number; if a black cat crosses one’s path, some misfortune will befall the person whose path was crossed if one sneezes before beginning a new job, it shall not be completed without any problem, etc.

The howling of dogs, spilling of milk or salt, walking under a ladder, falling of a picture or mirror is associated with ill luck. There are many superstitions that Indians cling to. These are ridiculous to a person who has a scientific outlook to life.

Men with such a bent of mind do not believe in fiction. They require proof and their view of events is always objective. They are not victims of ignorance. But now education and science have to a great extent enlightened man.

They have unravelled many mysteries and removed a number of superstitions. Even in other countries of the world, superstitions are believed in. For example, it is believed that if comets appear in the sky, they predict the emperor’s doom.

Another superstition is that if a person dies of drowning, some spirits await him. The difference is that India is still more given to superstitions while these are fast disappearing mostly in other countries except in a very few backward ones.

In short, a person can never progress in life if his approach to things is not objective. In fact, he should lead people out of ignorance into the light of belief and knowledge.

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Essay on “Superstitions” Complete Essay for Class 10, Class 12 and Graduation and other classes.

Superstitions

Essay No. 01

Superstitions are as old as man. The earliest men who had no scientific knowledge fell on easy prey to superstition. Thus, illiteracy and lack of knowledge and capacity to reason out are the hotbeds which generate and perpetuate superstition.

Mahatma Buddha was probably the first great man to expound and explain the value and significance of reason which eliminated superstition altogether. He emphasized that everything should be thoroughly studied, judged and tested before being believed. Later, many other great men like Guru Nanak and Kabir exhorted the people to shun superstitions.

Many people may believe that faith is also a form of superstition. But, as we can see if we think deeply, there is a difference. Faith is a positive factor whereas superstition is a negative factor.

Earlier, superstition was rampant in villages. The belief in ghosts was common. It was believed that these ghosts operated at night and that they were visible to some people and invisible to others. Taking advantage of this many clever men burned into tan tricks and controllers of ghosts. They cheated the gullible villagers. Unfortunately, even at present, such clever men are at work.

There are many kinds of superstitions which are observed by common people. The throbbing of eyes, a cat crossing our way, coming across a Brahmin-all these are believed to be inauspicious. The cawing of a crow indicated the possibility of a guest visiting our house that day. Similarly, if we come across a sweeper early in the morning, it is considered to be auspicious.

We should try to develop a scientific spirit of mind and judge everything on the basis of reason.

Essay No. 02

Superstitions are widespread. They are found throughout the world among people in some form or the other. They more prevalent among illiterate and uneducated people. With the advancement of knowledge, learning and science, they are gradually losing ground, yet they hold their sway even among educated people of the society.

A belief based on ignorance or fear is a superstition. A superstition is never rational. It is always against the known laws of science and reasoning. Superstitions have many forms and practices. Beliefs in charms, omens, super-natural powers and beings, etc., have their roots in superstitions. What is mysterious, unknown, and inexplicable generally because fear, and fear in its turn generates superstitions and blind-beliefs.

Thus, they originate and thrive on human ignorance’s and blind-faith in things mysterious and unknown. Psychologically, the sense of insecurity, fear of ill luck and the dread of inexplicable forces in nature give birth to superstitions. Superstitions may differ from place to place, community to community and country to country, yet they have common origins. They originate from fear and lack of knowledge of things. When some phenomena cannot be explained and understood, people start fearing them and assign them divine and mysterious origins. In ancient times all races and people were governed by superstitions.

Superstitions found rich and fertile soil in human ignorance and lack of scientific knowledge. The less a race is enlightened, the more it tends to be superstitious. Some vested interests like priestly class, etc., also exercise a great influence in spreading and maintaining superstitions. Many of our religious rituals and rites are blind beliefs and tricks played by the priests, etc., on the gullible people.

The superstitions have caused mankind a lot of positive harm. The hold of superstitions on mankind is still strong. In spite of advancement of science and technology people suffer from superstitions and complexes born out of them. Take, for example, the dread of the number “13” in the West. They regard it the most unlucky number. They avoid it at any cost because they think it ominous and fatalistic. It is a taboo for them. This superstition has its origin in the last Supper of Christ. When Christ supped last, there were 13 persons, and soon after that Christ was crucified.

Because of these superstitions many godmen priests, so-called astrologers, palmists and occultists are having roaring business. The gullible and superstitious people throng their shops and willingly get duped. Superstitions have various forms and manifestations. At some places it can be seen in the worship of snakes, animals, trees and the practice of witch crafts. At others it is observed in the form of animal and human sacrifices. Sometimes a superstitious person does not hesitate even in sacrificing his own son or daughter to propitiate a god or goddess. There is no limit a. superstitious person can stoop to. Much of bigotry and fanaticism have their roots in our superstitions. Many times a woman is burnt alive as a witch or sorceress. It reminds us of Jaon of Arc of France who was burnt to death because she was considered a witch by the invading English army.

In many villages and towns there are houses, places, trees and caverns believed to be haunted by ghosts. The graveyards are supposed to be frequented by these spirits, and should therefore be avoided, at night and at odd hours. If anybody dares to go there at odd hours, he or she is bound to be possessed by the evil spirits. The only remedy available is rationality and scientific temper. The more the knowledge based on facts, the lesser the evils of superstitions. We must eradicate ignorance, fear of the unknown, the ideas of existence of evil spirits through dissemination of scientific knowledge and enlightenment in order to root out superstitions from our minds.

In India there are many superstitions. Beliefs in ghosts, witches, omens, spirits, age old rotten customs and traditions are to be found almost everywhere in India. For thousands and thousands of people in India superstitions are synominous with religion because they are weak-minded and rationally not developed. They are victims of the superstitions and irrational rotten faiths in the guise of religion, traditions and rituals. Not long ago small-pox was considered as the result of the wrath of a goddess. Still in many villages and towns the goddess Shitala is worshipped as the authoress of small-pox. Similarly, sneezing at the start of a work or a travel is considered as an evil portent. The crossing of a cat while you are going for some work is also regarded as equally ominous. In such an event it is presumed that the work is sure to end in failure. The barking of a dog, the crying of a cat, the howling of a jackal and broying of an ass are also taken as ominous. But a man or woman, with a pitcher full of water, crossing your way, a sweeper sweeping the road before you, are looked upon as auspicious.

There are certain days and hours which are auspicious. The people of India have set beliefs and want to perform work accordingly. They consult an astrologer or a priest for an auspicious movement to start an important work or a journey. The time and date of a marriage, inauguration, foundation laying of a house, start of a business, etc., are fixed according to the positions of the planets and stars. There are certain inauspicious days and months when no good and important work can be undertaken.

For the Indians the sun-eclipse, the sight of a comet and a shooting star are very ominous. They signify some disaster or national tragedy to them.

“When beggars die there are no comets seen, The heavens themselves blaze forth the death of princes.”

Essay No. 03

Superstitions had their origin in the element of fear in man. Whatever could not be explained by reason was looked upon as an object of terror and was worshipped. However even now, when civilization has progressed and education has spread, superstitions are current all over the world. Superstitions reduce a man’s efficiency and, therefore, should be done away with.

Superstitions cut across caste, communal, and even national boundaries People an over the world have superstitions, though they may differ from country to country and region to region. Not even the educated arc free from superstitions. In some cases, superstitious beliefs are very deep- rooted. In spite Of all evidence to the contrary, people continue to hold fast to them and allow their lives to be regulated by them.

The origin of superstitions can be traced to the element of fear (which is anti-rationalistic), the urge for security and material welfare. Human beings Cherish a deep-seated wish for their physical Well-being. They, would go to any length to ward Off, real or imaginary, danger to ,their bodies and falling prey to diseases and death. Also the desire for success; in projects involving material welfare is so great in human beings that even the thought of failure unnerves them. They, therefore believe in certain superstitions. Some of the superstitions involve either positively doing certain things or avoiding certain situations or happenings; Superstitions are a legacy from the Stone and Wood ages. The primitive men then did not understand a large part of the natural phenomena. Their reason was not highly developed. They attributed their success or failure, or physical condemn to irrational beliefs. Also superstitions came into vogue through repeated coincidences. For example, if a person often met a, particular type of animal, while. going out on a mission, and each time he was-unsuccessful, he began to regard that animal as a bad omen. Or conversely, success associated with a series of coincidental happenings; also created a superstition.

In the Western civilization, one of the most well-known superstitions the ill-luck number thirteen is supposed to bring. A person getting number thirteen for his car will shudder to drive his vehicle for tear of accidents. TA house with this number will fill the inmates with fear of disease and death. But such is not the case in India. Also, in the West, passing under a ladder is considered unlucky. This superstition also is not current in India.

There is, however, a long list of superstitions which are prevalent in India. A black cat is one of the worst omens. (In the West, too, it is thought so). If a black cat runs across someone’s path, it is believed, he either fails in his job or meets with an accident. Owl is another illomened bird. Hooting of an owl is supposed to bring disaster in the neighborhood or to the particular house he is sitting on at the time of hooting. Cawing of crow announces arrival of SOW guests. Wailing of a dog foreshadows death. If one meets a Brahmin immediately on setting out for a job, one is Most likely to fail. On the Other hand, if one meets sweeper/sweepers, it is supposed to bring success in job. (It is a rather contradictory superstition. Shudras are regarded as low and Brahmins as twice-born high caste beings in Indian society). Looking at alt empty Vessel at the time of corning out of the house is also supposed to bring failure. If someone sneezes, when one is getting ready to go out to accomplish a task, he is likely to fail, People don’t like to be called back and asked a question when they are setting out for some work. Women’s braids are hung at the back of vehicles, sometimes even cars belonging to the posh people. A newly-built house has to ward off the evil eye. This is done by hanging, on the facade of, the house an ugly, fearsome face, usually painted at the back of an earthen vessel.

At times, superstitions are stretched too far. Particular people are regarded as ill omened just. because a death or a serious crippling accident took place to a family member after they appeared on the scene. In the Indian setup, the newly-married brides often have to pay a heavy price. If immediately after the brides entry into her in-laws house the death of her husband or father-in-law or even some other member of the family occurs, she is blamed for it. For the rest of her life, the daughter-in-law is subjected to taunts and torture for no fault of hers.

Some of the superstitions, however, are meant to bring about social good or lesson the pain or feeling of loss. For example, finding of a and carrying it along is considered a sign of good luck. The action, thus performed, actually Proves beneficial to satiety: The horse-shoe, an otherwise dangerous thing, which could hurt a human or damage a wheel removed from the road by the picker. Similarly the breaking of crockery on the occasion of a marriage ceremony is considered auspicious. The superstition is again calculated to lessen the feeling of loss that would otherwise be caused on account of a financial loss.

Superstitions, to say the least, affect human conduct. They ,fill, men with unnecessary anxiety and fear, which lead to nervous strain. They reduce the capability of men to perform certain tasks or delay the accomplishment of jobs. Many a man go back home because they have encountered some ill omen. Superstitions sour human relationships. Sneezing is a biological need likewise. Asking a question when somebody- is about to leave for some job is a natural curiosity of human beings.

The purpose of education is to reduce the area of darkness and instill among people courage, self-confidence, and thereby free the society from the tyranny of superstitions. Although superstitious beliefs are still current, with the spread of education, many of the superstitions have died. Since most of the superstitions hinder positive action; the elders can play a crucial role in freeing the youngsters from the yoke of superstitions. They can explain,, to them the futility of believing in them. Also they can set an example by themselves not falling victim to superstitious beliefs.

Essay No. 04

Superstition

“Superstition”, said Burke, “is the religion of feeble minds”. It is belief that has no basis in reason. It is the daughter of Ignorance and Fear. The word means, literally, standing over—standing still at a thing in fear and awe. Superstition, said Pascal, “is founded on fear or ignorance, and leads men to form false ideas of duty, to dread chimeras, and to lean on a broken reed.” Belief in omens and oracles; servile attachment to ritual, usage, form of words; and seeing the supernatural in every incident of life—all these come under Superstition.

In religion, superstition means irrational fear of the mysterious, and reverence for objects that are no proper objects of worship. Ignorant savages have no scientific knowledge of what we call the forces of nature. They think the sun and the moon, fire and wind and wailer, are governed by super-natural beings, who sometimes seem kind, but more often terrible and cruel. These they fear and worship, and try to propitiate them with offerings, sacrifices and senseless rites. And their imagination peoples the universe with imaginary beings—demons, ghosts and fairies.

A tree is judged by its fruits; and the fruits of superstition are all evil. It has been responsible for a vast amount of cruelty, misery and madness. In old times men offered up human sacrifices to appease imaginary gods. In the Middle Ages, the belief in witchcraft led to the persecution of poor old women, who were believed to be in league with the Devil. The Spanish Inquisition tortured and burnt thousands of innocent people, at the bidding of superstition. And even in civilized countries today, superstition produces narrow mindedness, bigotry and needless mental suffering.

Superstition is a thing of darkness; it cannot stand the light. It is a child of ignorance; it hates and flees from the face of knowledge. As knowledge increases, superstition decreases. Science, which has discovered the real forces of nature, has banished the old bogies of superstition—demons, ghosts, and goblins, and all the creations of fear and ignorance which once made men afraid. But superstition dies slowly; and even to-day silly bits of superstition still linger. There are still people who consult fortune-tellers, think the number thirteen unlucky, will not walk under a ladder, nor start a voyage on a Friday. As knowledge spreads, however, superstition will dwindle till it disappears altogether.

Essay No. 05

Superstitions betray human weakness, ignorance and fear of the unknown and mysterious. They are the irrational belief in things which remain inexplicable, mysterious of sufficient knowledge and unravelled because of lack scientific temper. Superstitions are on the decline because of spread of education, reasoning and scientific advancement. However, even educated and advanced people have their superstitions. It has also been seen that while many old superstitions are dying, new ones are being born. Primitive instincts, fears and beliefs present a fertile land for superstitions. Emotional instability, religious orthodoxy, blind belief in irrational rituals, customs and practices make people an easy prey of the superstitions.

Superstitions are not confined to a particular a particular part of the globe, people, race or community. They are ubiquitous and found throughout the world, in one form or another. There is only a difference of degrees. They are more prevalent among illiterate, uneducated and scientifically less advanced people and societies. Superstitions are being passed on from one generation to another, through religious practies. No doubt they are gradually losing ground with the advancement of rationality, scientific approach to things and globalization of the world, yet, superstitions may not be eradicated for a long time.

Belief in charms supernatural powers, ghosts, evil spirits, and spiritual healing etc., have their deep roots in superstitions. They are common among the people of all classes. For example, the eclipse of the sun and moon, sighting of shooting stars and comets, cries of certain birds like owls, revanes, and wiling of dogs mewing of cats, howling of jackals and braying of the ass at certain hours are still regarded as ominous in many communities all over the world. The fear of number 13 is another example of our blind belief. All superstitions have their origin in the human psychology of fear of ill- luck, insecurity and the dread of inexplicable forces in nature. When some phenomena cannot be explained and understood, people start fearing them and assign them divine, supernatural and mysterious origins.

In ancient days, all races and people were governed by superstitions. They found rich and fertile ground in human ignorance and lack of scientific knowledge. The less a community is educated and enlightened, the more it tends to be superstitious and backward. Some vested interests, like the Priestly class etc., also exercise a great influence in spreading, maintaining and generating new superstitions. Many of our religious, sectarian and family rituals and rites are based on blind beliefs, and tricks are being played on gullible people by the so-called godmen, priests, quacks, charlatans, astrologers, palmists, star and crystal gazers. There are many religious cults thriving today throughout the world only because of human ignorance, blind faith and irrationality. Even the developed countries are no exception. In spite of advancement of science and technology, the hold of superstitions on mankind is strong and man continues to suffer from these evils and complexes born out of them. In India, sneezing when someone is about to start work, is considered inauspicious. Similarly, the crossing of the path by a cat, especially a black one, is regarded as boding ill-luck. Like these ominous signs, there are lucky ones as well, which are regarded as harbingers of good luck, fortune and success. Man’s ingrained fear of the unknown and the inexplicable has invented ominous signs, portents and premonitions.

Sacrifice of birds and animals to please the gods and goddesses, and to atone for one’s sins, is a common practice among many communities all over the world. ‘Many women are still lynched because they are mistaken for witches. People still resort to magicians and godmen to exorcise the so-called evil spirits and their harmful influences, and are being willingly fleeced and duped in the process.

Superstitions are thriving in an organised way under various cults, religious sects, godmen, priests, and so-called prophets and representatives of gods. They are successfully leading the masses by the nose. We have actually failed to draw a line between religion and blind faith, bigotry and spiritualism and between prayer and useless incantations. We regard certain hours and days as inauspicious and so consult astrologers, priests and godmen to know the auspicious days and hours to start- our work, projects and journey. Likewise, the time and date of marriage, inauguration, foundation-laying ceremonies are fixed according to the advice of astrologers and the positions of the planets and stars.

The need of the hour is to cultivate more and more objectivity, rationality and scientific spirit in our approach to things, including those which are inexplicable and in some way or other mysterious. We need not give up our ideals, imagination, emotions and impulses and become living robots, but we must be alert and watchful so as not to allow these to dominate and dictate our faculties of reasoning, logic and analysis. Religion is certainly blind if not blended with science and reasoning; and, science is lame, unless guided by conscience and emotions. Our only hope is in sanity, balance and cultivation of scientific outlook and temper.

Essay No. 06

Majority of people are superstitious blindly. Superstition is a sign of ignorance and backwardness. Thus superstitions do not have any place in science. But people not only in India but in other countries also are superstitious. The number thirteen is regarded as an ominous figure by people in some countries. Even the French architect Le Corbusier, who designed the Indian city Chandigarh, was superstitious for he did not create Sector-13, in Chandigarh. Similarly Europeans consider it lucky if they find a horse shoe on the road. Other popular superstitions are that the howling of a jackal, sight of an owl bodes evil. Some people believe that a journey undertaken in a particular direction, on a given time is inauspicious. Sneezing when a person is ready to leave is considered a bad omen. Similarly howling of a dog is thought to indicate death of someone. But due to the impact of science, people have started questioning popular superstitions. Science sees everything rationally and it will serve people well if they examine these things rationally. People should turn a deaf ear to these superstitions and only then they will progress in their life.

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The science of superstition
Superstitious beliefs have been shown to help promote a positive mental attitude. Although they can lead to irrational decisions, such as trusting in the merits of good luck and destiny rather ...
Essay On Superstition for Students and Children
Answer 2: For several people, engaging with superstitious behaviours offers a sense of control and eases anxiety. This is why levels of superstition rise at times of stress and angst. This is mostly the case during times of economic crisis and social uncertainty notably wars and conflicts. Share with friends.
Why people believe in superstitions: [Essay Example], 627 words
The term superstition is thought to derive from the Latin superstitio, meaning "to stand over in awe.". The term is also related to the Latin word superstes ("outliving" or "surviving"). In this sense refers to the remains of ideas and beliefs that continued long after their original meaning had been forgotten.
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500 Words Essay on Superstitions Superstitions: Beliefs and Practices. Some people believe in superstitions because they think it will bring good luck or protect them from bad luck. Others may believe in them out of habit or because they were taught to believe in them as children. Superstitions can vary from culture to culture and may change ...
81 Superstition Essay Topics & Examples
A superstition is any practice or belief that is considered to be irrational or attributed to magic. Most of the superstitions are deeply rooted in regional and national cultures. Though opposed by religion and science throughout history, superstitions have survived to this day. In your superstition essay, you might want to focus on its meaning ...
The Science of Superstition: Why People Believe in the Unbelievable
For many people, engaging with superstitious behaviours provides a sense of control and reduces anxiety - which is why levels of superstition increase at times of stress and angst. This is particularly the case during times of economic crisis and social uncertainty - notably wars and conflicts. Indeed, researchers have observed how in ...
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Key points. Superstition is a way of behaving that is based on fear of the unknown and/or a faith in magic or luck. Superstitions that may be considered "good" tend to be about the belief in ...
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Superstitious beliefs can also amplify placebo effects. A 2021 study in the journal Cognitive Processing hypothesized that people who are more superstitious would get a bigger boost from a placebo ...
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Superstitions are beliefs and practices for which there seems to be no rational explanation. They result from believing in a certain superior and supernatural evidence that doing or not doing something can cause fortune or misfortune in our lives. Superstitions are often defined as false beliefs, since there is usually no logical causal ...
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Essay on Superstition 1000+ Words. Superstitions have been a part of human culture for centuries. From avoiding black cats to knocking on wood, these beliefs are intriguing and often shape our behavior. In this essay, we will explore the world of superstition, its origins, significance, and how it continues to influence our lives.
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Damisch et al. (2010), a superstitious belief differs from a superstitious behavior in that an individual can believe in the power of superstition without having a specific superstitious behavior. Despite this lack of understanding on the origin of a SB, there have been many studies
Essay on Superstition for all Class in 100 to 500 Words in English
Superstition Essay 10 Lines (100 - 150 Words) 1) Superstition is an illogical belief that something will bring good luck or bad luck. 2) Sometimes, people believe that certain numbers, colors, or objects can bring them luck. 3) It can lead to a false sense of security and create unrealistic expectations. 4) Superstitions can be found in many ...
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Abstract. 'The origins of superstition' describes practices of magic, prophecy, and divination in the ancient world, and the changing meaning of superstition through time. Throughout its long history, superstition has been a transactional concept with no fixed meaning of its own except in contrast to some other, more accepted world-view.
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superstition, belief, half-belief, or practice for which there appears to be no rational substance.Those who use the term imply that they have certain knowledge or superior evidence for their own scientific, philosophical, or religious convictions.An ambiguous word, it probably cannot be used except subjectively. With this qualification in mind, superstitions may be classified roughly as ...
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Superstitious beliefs have been shown to help promote a positive mental attitude. Although they can lead to irrational decisions, such as trusting in the merits of good luck and destiny rather than sound decision making. Carrying charms, wearing certain clothes, visiting places associated with good fortune, preferring specific colours and using ...
Superstitions Essay in English
The first essay is a long essay on the Superstitions of 400-500 words. This long essay about Superstitions is suitable for students of class 7, 8, 9 and 10, and also for competitive exam aspirants. The second essay is a short essay on the Superstitions of 150-200 words. These are suitable for students and children in class 6 and below.
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Still, for a set of supposedly irrational beliefs, superstitions have a surprisingly large following. An estimated 17 to 21 million people in America. are afraid of Friday the 13th, ...
Superstitions Superstitious Beliefs And Their Effect ...
Superstitious behaviours have been used to reduce anxiety, build confidence, and cope with uncertainty, giving the illusion of control over reinforcement in an uncontrollable situation (Neil, 1980; Matute, 1994). The purpose of this study was to obtain data about the topic of superstition, superstitious beliefs and their effect on young people.
Essay On Superstitions With [PDF]
Set 4: Essay On Superstitions. Man has kept on believing in some power unseen but present and working. It is this belief of his which has given rise to superstitions. They are unreasonable and irrational, though but they had been existing and they still exist inspite of all science and scientific development.
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Superstition Essay: Superstition is nothing but irrational belief in something. Weakness, fear, melancholy, together with ignorance are the true sources of superstition. If a Hindu believes that a dip in holy Ganges will wash away all his sins, it is just an irrational belief without any basis. It is often a tradition passed down to us from our ...
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People who hold superstitious beliefs and engage in actions that reflect those beliefs often realize — in the moment — that their thoughts and behaviors are irrational. Thus, the model must allow for the possibility that people can recognize that their intuitive judgment is wrong and believe it anyway. Most models of judgment and decision ...
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Essay on "Superstitions" Complete Essay for Class 10, Class 12 and
Essay No. 01. Superstitions are as old as man. The earliest men who had no scientific knowledge fell on easy prey to superstition. Thus, illiteracy and lack of knowledge and capacity to reason out are the hotbeds which generate and perpetuate superstition. Mahatma Buddha was probably the first great man to expound and explain the value and ...

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