Common Good Luck Rituals

Here are some common superstitions in the world of sports.

BASEBALL
* Spitting into your hand before picking up the bat is said to bring good luck.
* A wad of gum stuck on a player's hat brings good luck.
* It is bad luck if a dog walks across the diamond before the first pitch.
* Some players believe it is good luck to step on one of the bases before running off the field at the end of an inning.
* It is bad luck to touch the baselines while running off and onto the field between innings.
* Lending a bat to a fellow player is a serious jinx.
* Some players actually sleep with their bat to break out of a hitting slump or stay in a groove.
* If a pitcher is throwing a perfect game or a no-hitter, never speak of it while it's going on.

BASKETBALL
* The last person to shoot a basket during the warm-up will have a good game.
* Wipe the soles of your sneakers for good luck.
* Bounce the ball before taking a foul shot for good luck.

BOWLING
* To continue a winning streak, wear the same clothes.
* The number 300, a perfect score, on your license plate will increase your score.
* Carry charms on your bowling bag, in your pockets, or around your neck for good luck.

FISHING
* Fish may not bite if a barefoot woman passes you on the way to the dock.
* Spit on your bait before casting your rod to make fish bite.
* Throw back your first catch for good luck.
* It is bad luck to change rods while fishing.
* Don't tell anyone how many fish you've caught until you're done or you won't catch another.

FOOTBALL
* Double numbers on a player's uniform brings good luck.
* It's bad luck for a professional football player to take a new number when he is traded to another team.
* A mascot is an important good luck symbol.

GOLF
* Start only with odd-numbered clubs.
* Balls with a number higher than 4 are bad luck.
* Carry coins in your pockets for good luck.

ICE HOCKEY
* It is bad luck for hockey sticks to lie crossed.
* It is bad luck to say "shutout" in the locker room before a game.
* Players believe they'll win the game if they tap the goalie on his shin pads before a game.
* Many players must put their pads and skates on in exactly the same order every day.

RODEO'S
* Always put the right foot in the stirrup first.
* Avoid wearing the color yellow.
* Always shave before a competition (for men only!)

TENNIS
* It's bad luck to hold more than two balls at a time when serving.
* Avoid wearing the color yellow.
* Walk around the outside of the court when switching sides for good luck.
* Avoid stepping on the court lines

GAMBLING
* The luckiest seat is the one which faces the door; the most unlucky is that which has its back to a fire-place.
* To change a run of bad cards, lay your handkerchief flat upon your chair and sit on it.
* Walking round your chair three times will also alter the run of the cards.
* In India, it is common wisdom that if one carries a cat's-eye stone, fortune will never diminish.
* Gamblers spit on their hands to guarantee luck.

SPITTING
* Merchants spit on the first coin they receive each day to encourage more to follow.
* Boxers usually spit on their fists before delivering what they hope will be a final blow.
* Aboriginal people in the South Pacific spit whenever the name of a dead person is mentioned.
* The ancient Greeks made it a point to spit three times when they saw a madman.

Sources: "Infoplease Article." Fact Monster. © 2000-2007 Pearson Education, publishing as Fact Monster. 09 Feb. 2010 /www.factmonster.com/spot/superstitions1.

BABY'S HAIR
When a mother cuts a lock of her baby's hair and puts it away for safekeeping, she is creating a lucky charm. From ancient times in cultures around the world, such mementos were intended to ensure a long and healthy life, as long as the lock of hair was kept in a safe place.

BIRTHDAY CANDLES
A common symbol of birthday celebrations are the birthday candles. In ancient Greece, the Greek people took their cakes to the moon goddess, Artemis, and placed candles on the cakes because it made the cakes look as if it was glowing like the full moon. If worshipers blew out the candles in one breath, Artemis would watch over them and bring them good fortune, as well as make their wishes come true.

A similar custom began in Germany in the Middle Ages, when a cake was placed on the dinner table early in the morning of someone's birthday. It was surrounded by a circle of candles that burned throughout the day to ward off evil spirits. The candles were also a reminder that life is transitory and represented the candles that would one day be lighted for one's funeral. The person celebrating his or her birthday makes a silent wish while blowing out the candles on the cake. It is said if the person is able to blow out all candles in one breath it signifies that the wish would be answered and that the person would enjoy good luck in coming year. By blowing them out, the person celebrating the beginning of a new year of life is demonstrating the ability to control destiny. Blowing all of them out at one time is considered lucky because it implies mastery over one's fate.The German's also often lit one large candle symbolizing the "light of life" that was marked with lines and numbers (usually 12) that would be burned every year.

Today many people make silent wishes as they blow out their candles. They believe that blowing out all the candles in one breath will bring good luck.

PINATA'S.
In Mexico, the pinata is usually made out of paper mache and takes the form of an animal. It is filled with candy and treats and hung from the ceiling. The birthday child and guests are blindfolded and hit the pinata until it is broken, then all the children share the goodies and sing the song "Las Mananitas".