SUPERSTITION, credulity regarding the supernatural, or matters beyond human powers; belief in the direct agency of superior powers in certain events; as a belief in witchcraft, appari tions, magic, omens, charms and the like, a belief that the fortunes of individuals are or can be affected by things deemed lucky or unlucky, or that diseases can be cured by charms, incantations or the like. Superstitions concerning various articles of food, animals, days of the week, and even the most ordinary events of life are common, not only among the ignorant and lower classes of mankind, but among the highly educated and cul tured.
The origin and influence of these superstitions is an interesting study. Salt for instance is probably the only article of food which has been used by every nation and in every age since the beginning of civilization. In ancient times it was very scarce, and very costly. From this grew the Eastern custom that whoever should eat salt together—the most precious possession — must be friends for life. An Oriental will not kill or harm a man with whom he has eaten salt. The belief that it is unlucky
to spill salt at the table originated in the legend that at the "Last Supper" Judas Iscariot who went thence to betray his Lord and Master, upset the salt cellar while reaching out his hand.
Many ancient superstitions were con nected with the Sabbath, and especially with the punishment meted out to those who desecrated the holy day. At one place in England a carpenter who made a peg and a weaver who remained at his loom after 12 o'clock on Saturday night, were each smitten with palsy. In France there is a saying that "if you meet a funeral while driving you will have an accident before your drive is over, unless you turn back." Many gamblers will not play on a day in which they meet a funeral and others will bet only on the black in rouge et noir.
Among common superstitions are those which regard as unlucky the seeing of the new moon over the left shoulder; the beginning of a journey or any enterprise on Friday; the passing under a raised ladder, etc.