This survey, conducted in the United States in January 2014, shows the extent to which Americans believe in common superstitions, based on their religious affiliation. 40 percent of the Catholic respondents believed that finding and picking up a penny is good luck, while 16 percent of agnostics/atheists stated the same.
Superstitions held by Americans in 2014, by religious affiliation
Characteristic
Catholic
Protestant
Atheist/Agnostic
Finding and picking up a penny is good luck
40%
35%
16%
It’s bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the wedding
31%
25%
17%
Seven is a lucky number
26%
24%
10%
Knocking on wood prevents bad luck
27%
20%
18%
It’s unlucky to walk under a ladder
26%
22%
12%
Opening an umbrella indoors is bad luck
18%
15%
12%
Friday the 13th is an unlucky day
18%
15%
7%
Breaking a mirror brings seven years bad luck
21%
13%
9%
Throwing spilled salt over the left shoulder prevents bad luck
This question was posed to the share of respondents who had previously answered that they believed in superstitions during the survey.
Note: Percentages may not add up to 100% due to rounding
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Harris Interactive. (April 22, 2014). Superstitions held by Americans in 2014, by religious affiliation [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved December 03, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/297176/united-states-common-superstitions-believe-religious-faith/
Harris Interactive. "Superstitions held by Americans in 2014, by religious affiliation." Chart. April 22, 2014. Statista. Accessed December 03, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/297176/united-states-common-superstitions-believe-religious-faith/
Harris Interactive. (2014). Superstitions held by Americans in 2014, by religious affiliation. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: December 03, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/297176/united-states-common-superstitions-believe-religious-faith/
Harris Interactive. "Superstitions Held by Americans in 2014, by Religious Affiliation." Statista, Statista Inc., 22 Apr 2014, https://www.statista.com/statistics/297176/united-states-common-superstitions-believe-religious-faith/
Harris Interactive, Superstitions held by Americans in 2014, by religious affiliation Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/297176/united-states-common-superstitions-believe-religious-faith/ (last visited December 03, 2024)
Superstitions held by Americans in 2014, by religious affiliation [Graph], Harris Interactive, April 22, 2014. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/297176/united-states-common-superstitions-believe-religious-faith/
