The following sources were consulted in the preparation of the article “The stories behind popular superstitions.”
- Why does one say “touch wood” to ward off bad luck?
- Western Folklore
- Walking Under a Ladder: What’s Behind This Superstition?
- How did the superstition that broken mirrors cause bad luck start and why does it still exist?
- “Bless the” “I’le crosse the”: Medieval and Early Modern Superstitions, and the Bradford Witch
- The Mystique of the Lucky Horseshoe: History and Beliefs
- Why Is Opening an Umbrella Inside Bad Luck?
- Keep Your Fingers Crossed!
- Christmas Break: Predictive Value of Holiday Avian Wishbone Traditions Among Frontline Healthcare Workers in a Prospective Trial
- Smudging