Tuesday the 13th, black cats, salt. Cultural beliefs across the Spanish-speaking world.
The saying: "En martes 13, ni te cases ni te embarques."
(On Tuesday the 13th, don't get married and don't set sail.)
Tuesday (martes) comes from Mars, the god of war and destruction.
The number 13 is considered unlucky, same as in English.
| Superstition | Belief |
|---|---|
| Derramar sal | Spilling salt = bad luck. Fix: throw some over left shoulder. |
| Pasar debajo de una escalera | Walking under a ladder = bad luck. |
| Romper un espejo | Breaking a mirror = 7 years of bad luck. |
| Un gato negro | Black cat crossing your path = bad luck. |
| Abrir un paraguas dentro de casa | Opening umbrella indoors = bad luck. |
| Poner el bolso en el suelo | Putting purse on floor = money will leave you. (Latin America) |
| Barrer los pies de alguien | Sweeping someone's feet = they'll never marry. (Mexico) |
Llevar ropa interior roja en Nochevieja = Wear red underwear on NYE for love.
Llevar ropa interior amarilla = Yellow underwear for money/luck. (Latin America)
Comer 12 uvas a medianoche = Eat 12 grapes at midnight for 12 lucky months.
Tocar madera = Touch/knock on wood (same as English).
Una herradura = A horseshoe brings luck.
Tener buena/mala suerte = to have good/bad luck
Ser gafe = to be a jinx (Spain): Soy gafe. (I'm a jinx.)
¡Toco madera! = Knock on wood!
Cruzar los dedos = to cross fingers: ¡Cruzo los dedos!
Echar mal de ojo = to give the evil eye
¡Mucha mierda! = Break a leg! (theater — literally "lots of poop!")
Often misunderstood, Día de los Muertos (Mexico, Nov 1-2) is a joyful celebration of deceased loved ones, not a scary or superstitious holiday. Families create altars, share food, and remember with love.
1. The unlucky day in Spanish culture is _____.
2. Knock on wood! = ¡Toco _____!
3. Red underwear on NYE is for _____.
4. Yellow underwear is for _____.
5. Break a leg (theater) = ¡Mucha _____!
6. To be a jinx (Spain) = ser _____.
7. Spilling salt = _____.
8. Cross fingers = cruzar los _____.
9. Evil eye = mal de _____.
10. Putting purse on floor means _____ (Latin America).
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