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Why does a witch fly on a broomstick, and why does the devil have horns? Why does a rabbit’s foot bring good luck, and why is the number seven considered lucky? How does a name influence a person’s fate, and what was the mark of Cain?
This book introduces the reader to the colorful and fascinating world of superstitious customs—practices that we often don’t even notice in everyday life. We knock on wood or spit over our shoulder when a black cat crosses our path, yet we no longer know why we do so.
Superstitions were used to cope with fears, but also to secure personal happiness and good fortune, because humans are the only animals that consciously try to influence their own fate. In seven “lucky” chapters, Ari Turunen explores the history of superstition and reveals some surprising secrets.
For example, earrings were originally used as protection against evil forces, the word “panic” comes from the god Pan, who caused uncontrollable fear, and crossing the middle and index fingers for luck originally symbolized mating.
The book is intended for a broad readership interested in analyzing trends and drawing parallels in order to better understand the course of history as a whole.




