‘Don’t split the pole,’ they said. ‘Knock on wood,’ they warned. ‘Cross your fingers,’ they urged.
Almost everybody has heard of these popular phrases, and most of these people say things like this to avoid bad luck or to bring good luck upon themselves, even if they don’t realize they’re following superstitious beliefs.
Popular superstitious phrases, like ‘knock on wood’, have stories that date back to centuries ago. They ultimately came from religious beliefs that got passed down, losing its religious meaning, and just became a light hearted habit.
However, there are other forms of superstitions, specifically, within athletes or performers. Some athletes need their lucky socks. Or maybe they need to eat a PB&J before a game. Or possibly, bouncing the ball five times before a free throw is a necessity. No more, no less.
Some performers may find comfort in a routine they’ve acquired before their performance or appreciate the confidence - possibly in replacement of their nerves - that they gain from strongly believing their superstitions will allow them to win.
Take Serena Williams, for example. She has to shower in the same shower before every match, wear her shower sandals on the court, lace her shoes a certain way, and the routine goes on and on. Her routine is long enough that she claimed it could get annoying having to check off every box before each game.
It’s not just professional athletes that have superstitions, but regular athletes as well.
Ava Martinez, a sophomore field hockey and soccer player, eats pasta before every game and has to have at least one braid in her hair during the game. She picked the habit up from her mom who did the same thing during her high school days, and unlike some professionals, Ava will blame losses on her performance, not her superstitions.
Psychologists actually believe that superstitions are a way for people to control the unknowns in life and they derive from their own personal histories, just like Ava’s mom’s superstitions got passed down to Ava.
Popular superstitions derived from religion, lost their religious meaning, yet they’re similar to religious practices. Some people pray, other’s wear lucky underwear. One is taken more seriously within society, but both are based on belief and can’t be scientifically proven with evidence to actually change an event.
Religion and superstitions are so similar, and to question superstitions is to question someone's faith.
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