A manga called The Future I Saw, which has accurately predicted past disasters, caused Japanese airlines to cancel flights on July 5, 2025, due to superstitions about an impending disaster, despite scientific warnings that such predictions lack basis. The incident highlights how superstitions and rumors can impact travel and tourism, even when no actual disaster occurs.
The Florida Panthers chose not to touch the Prince of Wales Trophy after their Game 6 win against the New York Rangers, hoping to change their luck after last year's loss in the Cup Final. Captain Aleksander Barkov and his teammates posed for photos without touching the trophy, a decision influenced by past experiences and superstitions. The Panthers will face the Edmonton Oilers in the Stanley Cup Final starting June 8.
Following the recent total solar eclipse, some Americans reported experiencing nausea, headaches, eye pain, and even changes in menstrual cycles, leading to discussions about "eclipse sickness." While some experts attribute these symptoms to superstition, others, such as Dr. Marc Siegel, suggest that flicker vertigo caused by sudden light shifts during the eclipse may be a medical basis for these adverse health effects. NASA maintains that as long as proper eye protection is worn while viewing an eclipse, there is no direct physical relationship between the eclipse and health.
As North America anticipates a total solar eclipse, myths and rumors about its potential harm have surfaced, prompting NASA to debunk misconceptions. The agency clarifies that a solar eclipse does not emit harmful radiation, harm unborn babies, or poison food. It also dispels beliefs about eclipses being omens of bad events and explains the deep spiritual meanings and cultural significance of eclipses in various cultures and religions.
UConn men’s basketball coach Dan Hurley relies on a $40 portable washing machine to launder his lucky socks and boxer briefs during the postseason, as he is superstitious and a germaphobe. The East Doll Portable Washing Machine, while capable of cleaning small or delicate items, has a minuscule capacity and may have a short lifespan. It can handle tiny loads and requires multiple cycles for effective cleaning, making it suitable only for short-term laundry needs.
Kylie Kelce, wife of Philadelphia Eagles player Jason Kelce, "refused" to watch the Super Bowl, even while sitting in a VIP suite with Taylor Swift, due to superstition. She spent most of the game watching her friend's reactions to stay "in the loop" and avoided watching the game directly. The group also included rapper Ice Spice, Keleigh Teller, Blake Lively, and Lana Del Rey. Kylie and Jason's children did not attend the game, as Kylie prefers not to take them to crowded stadiums.
The Detroit Lions will be wearing their all-blue "blueberries" uniforms for their first home playoff game in Ford Field history, a choice that has proven to be lucky for the team as they are 5-0 when wearing these uniforms this season. Quarterback Jared Goff even mentioned the team's success in these uniforms during a mic'd up segment. This decision is likely to please superstitious fans as the team hopes to continue their winning streak in the playoffs.
Researchers monitoring a 60-mile stretch of beach near Corpus Christi, Texas, have discovered eight "witch bottles" since 2017. These bottles, traditionally observed in the UK, are believed to contain malevolent spirits or trap harmful intentions. Filled with items such as hair, herbs, nails, or bodily fluids, the bottles are thought to reflect spells and torment witches. While the origin of the bottles found along the Gulf of Mexico remains unknown, some speculate they come from the Caribbean or South America. Researchers are intrigued by the artifacts but choose not to open them due to the potential risks associated with their contents.
"Witch bottles" filled with various items, including hair, herbs, and bodily fluids, are washing up along the Gulf of Mexico coast, unnerving researchers. These artifacts, traditionally observed in the UK, were used to trap malevolent spirits and reflect harmful spells. Eight of these bottles have been found on a 60-mile stretch of beach near Corpus Christi, Texas, since 2017. The bottles, some of which come from the Caribbean or South America, are displayed by the researcher who found them, but he refuses to open them due to the potential spells inside.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes confirmed on the "ManningCast" that he has worn the same pair of red underwear for every game since starting his NFL career. The superstition began in his first season when the team went 10-6, and Mahomes believes it brings him luck. He washes the underwear occasionally but keeps them unwashed during winning streaks to maintain the superstition.
Daniel Peramaki, dubbed the "King of Scratchers," won a $5 million prize from the California Lottery by following his superstition of purchasing the seventh, eighth, and ninth tickets from a newly opened pack of $20 scratch-off tickets. Peramaki had been trying to win the lottery for years and was overjoyed when he finally hit the jackpot. He claimed his prize as a lump sum of $2.9 million and described it as a life-changing amount of money.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has confirmed that he has worn the same pair of red underwear to every single NFL game of his six-year career. The superstition was revealed by former Chiefs quarterback Chad Henne, and Mahomes confirmed it during an interview with Eli and Payton Manning on ESPN. Mahomes believes the underwear brings him luck, and as long as the team keeps winning, he plans to continue the superstition.
Friday the 13th, a date associated with superstition and fear, has a long history of being considered unlucky in Western culture. However, psychologists argue that few people are truly debilitated by triskaidekaphobia or paraskevidekatriaphobia (fear of the number 13 or Friday the 13th). While the superstition may prime people to notice negative events on this day, studies have shown no significant impact on quality of life outcomes for those born on the 13th or on Friday the 13th. Other cultures have their own unlucky numbers and days, but focusing on positive rituals and beliefs can help create a sense of optimism.
LA Times columnist Bill Plaschke has sparked concern among Dodgers fans by predicting that the team will win the World Series in 2023. Fans are wary of such predictions, as previous guarantees by the team's manager, Dave Roberts, and demands from the LA Times for a World Series title have not ended well. The article argues that such bold statements can create unnecessary pressure and undo the efforts made by the organization to revamp the roster and alleviate mounting expectations. Dodgers fans prefer to downplay their team's chances to avoid unrealistic expectations and maintain a positive situation.
Researchers from the Museum of London Archaeology have discovered the burial site of a 15-year-old girl in England dating back to the 9th century. The girl was buried face-down, a deviation from typical burial practices of the time, leading researchers to believe that the community wanted to prevent her from returning from the dead. The burial site suggests that early Medieval villagers may have feared the undead, even before the widespread belief in vampires. The girl's burial position and the possible tying of her ankles indicate that extra measures were taken to ensure she could not come back. The analysis also revealed signs of childhood malnutrition and a spinal joint disease, suggesting she was of low social status.
