Spanish Superstitions: What You Need to Know to Avoid Bad Luck (and Blend In Like a Local)

Every culture has its quirks, right? Some people throw salt over their shoulder. Others knock on wood. And in Spain? Well… don’t even think about sweeping someone’s feet or handing them scissors.

Spanish superstitions (supersticiones) are a fascinating (and sometimes hilarious) way to get to know the culture—and they also make for great conversation starters while you’re awkwardly waiting for your tortilla de patatas to arrive.

Let’s explore some of the most popular ones—so you can avoid bad luck and maybe even impress your Spanish friends with your cultural knowledge. Just… don’t say «Tuesday the 13th» out loud, okay?

1. Tuesday the 13th = Bad Luck Day (Not Friday!)

❌ Martes 13 = mala suerte

Forget everything you know about Friday the 13th. In Spain (and some other Spanish-speaking countries), it’s Tuesday the 13th that’s cursed.

Why Tuesday? Because:

• In Spanish, Tuesday is martes, named after Mars, the god of war and destruction.

• And 13? Well, 13 is just a hot mess worldwide.

Pro tip: If someone says “En martes, ni te cases, ni te embarques, ni de tu casa te apartes,” they’re warning you:

“On Tuesday, don’t get married, don’t set sail, and don’t leave your house.”
(So maybe just stay in and binge-watch La Casa de Papel.)

2. Never Put a Hat on a Bed

❌ No pongas un sombrero en la cama

According to superstition, placing a hat on a bed brings bad luck or even death.
Why? Theories range from religious associations (hats off in sacred spaces) to old-timey beliefs about spirits being attracted to headwear on beds.

Either way—play it safe. Hook your hat on a chair like a respectable cowboy.

3. Spilled Salt? Uh-oh.

❌ Tirar sal trae mala suerte

Spilling salt in Spain is just as unlucky as it is in many other cultures. The fix? Toss a pinch of it over your left shoulder to blind the devil waiting behind you.

(Yes, that’s the level of drama we’re dealing with here.)

4. Don’t Sweep Over Someone’s Feet

❌ Si barres los pies de alguien, no se casará nunca

Legend says that if you sweep a broom over someone’s feet, they’ll never get married.

So if you’re sweeping and someone walks by—pause. Unless you really don’t want them to tie the knot. In that case… bueno, you do you.

5. Cheers the Right Way – Or Else

❌ Brindar sin mirar a los ojos trae 7 años de mala suerte (¡en la cama!)

This one’s half etiquette, half horror story:
If you clink glasses and don’t make eye contact, you’re cursed with seven years of bad sex. Yes, really.

So next time you say ¡Salud!, make eye contact like your love life depends on it.

(Because, according to superstition, it does.)

6. Black Cats, Broken Mirrors, and Other Classic Hits

Spain shares a few “universal” superstitions:

• Black cats = bad luck

• Breaking a mirror = 7 years of misfortune

• Opening an umbrella indoors = invites trouble

Still, they might not take them quite as seriously as other cultures. Unless it’s martes 13—then all bets are off.

7. New Year’s Grapes (But Don’t Mess It Up!)

✅ Comer 12 uvas en Nochevieja

This one’s good luck—but only if you do it right.

On New Year’s Eve, Spaniards eat 12 grapes at midnight, one for each chime of the clock. If you manage to eat all 12 before the last bell rings? Congrats—you’ve got good luck for the year.

Mess it up? Well… feliz año-ish, I guess.

8. Tuesday Wedding? Bad Idea.

Getting married on a Tuesday? Refer back to superstition #1.
Basically, unless you want Mars, the god of war, attending your reception—maybe pick a Friday or Saturday instead.

Quick Vocab Cheat Sheet 📝

Final Thoughts: Laugh With It, Don’t Fear It

Most Spaniards today don’t take these superstitions too seriously—but they know them, love to joke about them, and might still avoid sweeping your feet just in case.

So go ahead—learn the lore, laugh with the locals, and maybe keep your hat off the bed. You know, just to be safe.

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