25 Superstitions and Beliefs Only Mexicans Understand
Dive into the charming, odd, and profound world of Mexican superstitions blending indigenous roots and Catholic folklore.
Mexico’s rich blend of Indigenous heritage, Spanish Catholicism, and local folklore makes its superstitions both fascinating and vivid. Many of these beliefs persist in daily life, influencing how people act, raise their children, and approach healing, luck, and fate. Here, we explore 25 superstitions and beliefs that offer a window into the Mexican psyche, from omens whispered in the night to cures performed in humble homes.
1. Owls Are Omens of Death
Owls, especially the mysterious lechuza (often imagined as a woman-owl hybrid), are deeply feared as harbingers of death. If one perches near your home and hoots at night, it’s believed to forewarn tragedy or loss. Some tales recount witches transforming into white owls to wield dangerous powers, echoing ancient Indigenous beliefs about spiritual messengers.
Key point: Many Mexicans, especially in rural areas, shield their homes or recite prayers if a lechuza is heard nearby.
2. Eclipses Cause Deformities in Unborn Babies
During an eclipse, pregnant women are cautioned against going outside or looking at the phenomenon directly. Many believe exposure can lead to birth defects or facial marks resembling the eclipse’s shape. This superstition persists, even as science debunks it; some women still wear red ribbons or safety pins to safeguard against bad luck.
3. Burping Expels Evil Spirits
In certain communities, notably among the Tzotzil people of Chiapas, burping during religious ceremonies is believed to cleanse the body of evil. At the San Juan Bautista Church, congregants drink Coca-Cola to induce burping, thought to cure physical and spiritual sickness.
Traditional Healing: The act is seen as a way to purify oneself, and older generations may encourage burping to get rid of ‘bad air’ or ‘mal viento’.
4. The Evil Eye (El Mal Ojo)
The Evil Eye is one of the most pervasive Hispanic superstitions. Jealous stares or excessive compliments can ‘put’ the evil eye on babies or vulnerable people, resulting in mysterious illnesses.
- Protection: A red string (‘pulsera roja’) is tied around a child’s wrist to ward off evil, sometimes with a seed known as ‘ojo de venado’ attached.
- Cure: Special prayers or rituals, often performed by a curandera, are believed to lift the curse.
5. Red String Bracelet Against Mal de Ojo
- Red string symbolizes protection, often associated with life’s energy or fire.
- The bracelet should be replaced if the attached seed darkens (‘ojo de venado’), marking depletion of protective power.
6. Blessing of New Homes
When moving into a new house, it is customary to light candles in every room and sprinkle holy water. This ritual is meant to cleanse lingering spirits and ensure positive energy flows.
7. Sitting on the Corner Means You’ll Never Marry
At family gatherings, young women are advised against sitting at table corners. It’s believed corner-dwellers will stay single for life.
Note: Some older relatives jokingly rearrange chairs to “save” the unmarried.
8. Sweeping Feet Means You’ll Never Marry
If someone accidentally sweeps your feet with a broom, tradition says you’ll never wed. The only quick fix? Have the culprit immediately spit on the broom and sweep again to break the curse.
9. Spilling Salt Brings Bad Luck
Dropping salt is considered unlucky, but tossing a pinch over your left shoulder wards off misfortune. This custom blends Spanish and Indigenous lore about reversing negativity.
10. Knocking on Wood to Avoid Jinxing
Much like in other cultures, knocking on wood after tempting fate (“No digas al mal tiempo buena cara”) is meant to stop bad luck from manifesting.
11. Hanging Garlic for Protection
Garlic is believed to absorb and eradicate negative energy. Hung at entryways, it’s a powerful charm against envy, gossip, and evil spirits.
12. No Cutting Babies’ Hair Before One Year Old
It is forbidden to cut a baby’s hair before their first birthday, as doing so is thought to hinder healthy development or even shorten a child’s life.
13. Deceased Loved Ones Visit on Day of the Dead
Día de Muertos is the time when departed spirits return to join the living, enjoying offerings of their favorite foods and flowers. Families create vibrant altars (‘ofrendas’) to honor ancestors and keep their memories alive.
14. Placing Feet on a Table Summons Bad Luck
Resting your feet on tables or furniture is strictly taboo, as it invites disrespect and disrupts the household’s harmony.
15. 13 Is Not Always Unlucky
Unlike some Western traditions, the number 13 isn’t universally unlucky in Mexico, but some people still avoid major decisions or events on the 13th day of the month.
16. Bringing a Baby to a Cemetery is Dangerous
It’s strongly discouraged to take infants to cemeteries, lest malevolent spirits or the evil eye harm them.
17. Whistling at Night Summons Spirits
Older generations warn that whistling after sunset attracts ghosts, witches, or even the nahual (a shape-shifting figure from lore). Children, in particular, are advised to stay quiet after dark.
18. Breaking Mirrors Invites Seven Years of Bad Luck
Shattering a mirror is a grave omen: seven years of misfortune, unless you gather the pieces and bury them, deflecting the curse.
19. Crossing Under Ladders Brings Bad Luck
Walking under ladders is said to disrupt life’s balance and attract negative fortune, a belief shared in many cultures but deeply embedded in Mexican day-to-day caution.
20. Eating Grapes for Good Luck on New Year’s Eve
At midnight, people eat twelve grapes, one for each stroke of the clock, to guarantee prosperity with every month of the coming year.
21. La Llorona: The Weeping Woman
The legend of La Llorona—a ghostly woman who eternally searches for her lost children—haunts towns and riversides, warning children and adults to behave or risk a tragic encounter by the water.
22. Using Aloe Vera as a Luck Charm
Aloe vera plants are hung near homes to attract good fortune and shield against ill-wishing neighbors. When the plant shrivels, it’s said to have absorbed harmful energies.
23. Black Cats: Portents of Bad Luck
Seeing a black cat cross your path is considered an omen of impending woes. Some counter this by quickly crossing themselves or retracing their steps.
24. “Sana, sana, colita de rana” Healing Chant
When Mexican children get hurt, parents recite the light-hearted rhyme: “Sana, sana, colita de rana, si no sanas hoy, sanarás mañana.” While mostly symbolic, it brings comfort and reassurance, reinforcing the power of words and ritual in daily healing.
25. Witch Doctors (Curanderos) Can Cure You
Curanderos and curanderas are revered across the country for their healing abilities. They treat ailments both physical and spiritual, using herbal remedies, prayers, and elaborate rituals.
- Brujas (witches) and brujos (sorcerers) are believed to wield supernatural power, straddling the line between benevolent and malevolent magic.
- Many people consult these healers alongside conventional doctors, especially when facing problems believed to be rooted in envy, curses, or fate.
Table: Signature Mexican Superstitions
| Superstition | Belief | Protective Action |
|---|---|---|
| Owls | Omen of death or misfortune | Prayers, avoid watching/lechuza tales |
| Evil Eye | Illness from envy or compliments | Red string, special prayers |
| Sweeping Feet | Brings lifelong singleness | Spit on broom, sweep again |
| Supernatural Healers | Can cure body and soul | Herbal remedies, rituals |
| Day of the Dead | Return of deceased loved ones | Build ofrenda, offer food and gifts |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Why is the Evil Eye feared in Mexico?
The Evil Eye (Mal de Ojo) is feared for its power to inflict sudden sickness, especially on babies, through envious looks or excessive praise. A red string bracelet is commonly used for protection.
Q: Do people still believe in these superstitions today?
While younger generations may take these beliefs less seriously, many customs endure, particularly in rural areas and older families, woven into daily rituals and celebrations.
Q: How do Mexicans blend Catholicism and Indigenous beliefs?
Many Mexican superstitions seamlessly meld Catholic saints, prayers, and holidays with native rituals and symbols, creating unique practices for protection, healing, and luck.
Q: Are witch doctors and healers commonly consulted?
Yes, especially for ailments believed to be spiritual or emotional. Curanderos are respected for their ability to mix natural remedies with spiritual ceremony.
Q: What happens if you break a mirror or spill salt?
Breaking a mirror brings seven years of bad luck unless you bury the shards; spilled salt should be tossed over the left shoulder to reverse misfortune, a sign of inherited wisdom from both Spanish and Indigenous traditions.
