‘Beware the ides of March,’ and other unlucky dates and superstitions

If you want to avoid bad luck, beware the ides of March.

The date was certainly unlucky for Julius Caesar, who was assassinated in front of the Roman senate on March 15. William Shakespeare dramatized the event in his play about Caesar with the famous quote, 'beware the ides of March.”

Since then, March 15 - the middle or 'ides” of the month - is considered an unlucky date for people who believe in superstitions. Other unfortunate incidents over the years have helped cement that date as unlucky, forever placing it as a day of misfortune.

But the ides of March isn't the only date considered to be unlucky. In fact, there are several events, places and things that some people consider to be bad omens. Just about every culture in the world has its own superstitions. While some of the origins may be lost to time, they can still send a shiver up your spine.

Here are just a few common superstitions to keep an eye out for:

Friday the 13th

Another date considered very unlucky is Friday the 13th. Anything associated with the number 13 is viewed as bad luck. That's why many hotels and buildings don't have a 13th floor. Check the elevator buttons - many skip from 12 to 14.

Walking under a ladder

The next time you come across a ladder, be sure to walk around it and not under it. Not only is it a good safety practice, but the ancient Egyptians believed walking under a ladder was disrespecting the gods - thus inviting misfortune.

Breaking a mirror

It's said that breaking a mirror will cause seven years of bad luck. Other myths around this superstition say it will lead to seven years of bad health. Either way, be careful around mirrors!

Stepping on a crack

You've probably heard the phrase 'step on a crack, you'll break your mother's back.” You won't actually break her back by stepping on a crack in the pavement, but that hasn't stopped many people from being careful about where they put their feet.

Comments: michaela.ramm@thegazette.com