15 Southern Superstitions We Dare Not Dispute

It's no secret that the South is filled with traditions of all kinds. Whether it's as simple as a holiday ritual or as impactful as a way of life, traditions and customs are what our existences unique. Most traditions in Southern families have been passed down from generations, including some superstitions.

From cultural to regional to familial folklore, any Southerner is bound to believe in a superstition or two. While some superstitions like opening an umbrella inside and seeing a black cat cross the street are relatively universal, the South has its own superstitions that have been shared for centuries. Check out this list of superstitions from Southerners all over the region to learn more about the history behind the traditions and, of course, how to maximize your good luck.

Things To Do For Good Luck

Paint Your Porch Ceiling Haint Blue

If you walk onto a porch in the South, chances are high that the ceiling may be painted a beautiful shade of sky blue. This isn't quite for aesthetic purposes—painting your ceiling this hue, known as haint blue, will keep evil spirits from entering your home.

This superstition started on the coasts of Georgia and South Carolina. The Gullah Geechee communities in the region are descendants of Central and West African enslaved people, and they painted their porch ceilings sky blue as a means of protection. "Haints" is the colloquial pronunciation of "haunts," or spirits of the dead. The Gullah believed that the color would act as a repellant for "haints," as the spirits would confuse the color for the sky and bypass their homes when looking for a place to enter.

Eat Black-Eyed Peas and Collard Greens on New Year's Day

If you're ringing in the new year in the South, you'll likely be offered a bowl of black-eyed peas and collard greens to start your day. While these two Southerner favorites taste delicious, it isn't served just for flavor—these two foods will bring you good luck for the rest of the year.

According to Southern food researcher John Egerton, black-eyed peas are associated with a "mystical and mythical power to bring good luck" and have been grown in the South for over three centuries. As for collard greens, they're green like money to secure financial success for the year.

Bury a Bottle of Bourbon a Month Before Wedding Day

No one likes surprises on a wedding day, but sometimes Mother Nature has her own agenda. Avoid a rainy wedding day by burying a bottle of bourbon exactly a month before your wedding day. Many couples will bury it upside down for extra luck.

Hang a Horseshoe Above a Doorway

When adding decorations into your home, don't forget to throw in some horseshoes. While they're always placed above a doorway for good luck, there are a few different interpretations of which orientation to hang them. above the doorways.

Some people believe that hanging a horseshoe pointed down allows good luck to spill into any who walk under it and stop evil from entering. Others believe that hanging it pointed up allows for good luck to be stored and collected.

Put Up a Bottle Tree in Your Yard

If you walk around a neighborhood in the South, you may find a striking tower of blue glass bottles on a porch or in a garden. Bottle trees are fascinating structures that are used for protection against evil spirits, and are a tradition brought over by enslaved Africans.

The folklore says that glass bottles were extremely powerful and could both attract and capture evil spirits at night. Spirits would become hypnotized by the bottles' bright colors and reflections, trapping them until the morning sunlight killed them.

Things To Avoid That Bring Bad Luck

Don't Leave a Rocking Chair Rocking

Rocking chairs are a staple on Southern porches, but they can bring bad luck if used improperly. If you get up from a rocking chair and leave it rocking, you are inviting spirits to sit. Be sure to stop the chair from rocking before you leave!

Don't Bring Bananas on a Fishing Trip

If you're ever in charge of loading the cooler for a fishing trip, don't even think about packing bananas. This tradition has been around since the 1700s when trade ships from the Caribbean and Spain were sailing the seas. Legend has it that if a ship was found wrecked, bananas were the only items found floating amongst the wreckage. This lead seamen to believe that the bananas had caused the ship to sink, and the superstition continues to stay in effect around docks down South.

Don't Do Laundry on New Year's Day

Doing your laundry on New Year's Day is said to be washing away any good luck for the rest of the year. Some also say that this applies to any form of washing and cleaning, so put your to-do list down and leave it for another day this year.

Don't Step On Iron Train Tracks

Trains run through innumerable of towns across the South, but be careful when walking across them. Not only are they dangerous, some Southerners say that stepping on the iron train rails when crossing a railroad will bring bad luck.

Don't Split a Pole When Walking With Someone

If you're taking a stroll with a friend or loved one, stay alert and stick close together to keep the camaraderie secure. It's said that splitting up and walking on either side of an obstacle, such as a pole or a tree, will cause bad luck and allow something to come in between you and the person you're walking with.

Miscellaneous Meanings

If Your Nose Itches, Company Is Coming

Is your nose itching out of nowhere? Bring out the welcome wagon. Southerners believe that an itchy nose means you've got company coming over soon.

If Your Palm Itches, Money Is Coming Your Way

While itchy palms can feel like a nuisance, you'll be pleased with the results. Southerners believe that an itchy palm means you'll be getting money soon.

If Your Ears Burn, Someone Is Talking About You

Got burning or red ears? Look out for gossip. Southerners believe that burning ears out of nowhere means that someone is talking about you.

If You Get a Chill Down Your Spine, Someone's Walk Over Your Grave

Ever get a random shiver up your spine? Southerners believe that a chill up your spine is someone walking over the spot where your future grave will be.

If You See a Red Cardinal, A Loved One Is Visiting

See a bright redbird flying around or perched on a branch? Southerners believe that a sighting of a redbird (or a Northern Cardinal) means a loved one is coming to pay a visit.