Superstitions are an entertaining way to discover Portuguese culture — and they’re great for learning vocabulary too! Before diving into the list, it’s worth understanding what superstitions actually are. In simple terms, a superstition is a popular belief that certain actions, objects, or events can bring good luck or bad luck, even though there is no scientific explanation behind them. These beliefs are usually passed down through generations, becoming part of a country’s traditions, stories, and daily habits.
In Portugal, superstitions blend history, religion, and folklore. Some are connected to ancient fears, others to hopes for protection or fortune. Many Portuguese people don’t necessarily “believe” in them, but follow them out of habit, a sense of humor, or simply because they remind them of childhood and family traditions. They offer a charming glimpse into how people think, behave, and relate to the world around them.
With that in mind, here are 11 common superstitions in Portugal — some widely known across the country, and others that vary from region to region or even from family to family.
1. Friday the 13th
Just like in many countries, Friday the 13th is considered an unlucky day. Some people avoid travelling, making big decisions or starting new projects.
Useful expression: Bater na madeira — to knock on wood. People knock on wood when someone says something negative, to cancel out whatever bad was said.
2. Black Cats
If a black cat crosses your path from right to left, it may bring bad luck. Others believe the opposite — that it protects you. Portugal has a long and mixed history with black cats: some see them as mysterious guardians, while others associate them with misfortune. These beliefs trace back to medieval times, when black cats were linked to witches, magic, and the supernatural.
Today, most Portuguese people don’t truly believe black cats bring good or bad luck, but the superstition still appears in jokes, stories, and casual warnings. For many families, the idea that killing a black cat brings bad luck is especially strong, reflecting a deeper cultural respect for animals and the belief that harming them — particularly a symbolic one like a black cat — brings negative consequences.
Despite the superstition, black cats are beloved pets in many Portuguese homes. Some people even say they bring extra protection, good energy, or a calm atmosphere. Whether feared or adored, black cats remain one of the most iconic symbols in Portuguese folklore.
3. Walking Under a Ladder
Walking under a ladder is thought to bring misfortune. Many say it’s not only superstition — it’s also just unsafe!
4. Burning Ears
If your ears are burning, someone is talking about you.
• Right ear: good things
• Left ear: someone is speaking badly of you
This superstition is known across Portugal, and many people still mention it jokingly when they suddenly feel their ears getting warm or red. It’s a playful way to imagine that you’re the topic of someone’s conversation — whether it’s praise or criticism.
Since many people don’t remember which ear means someone is speaking well or badly about them, there’s a humorous trick to “reverse” the situation: they say you should bite your bra strap so that the person talking will bite their own tongue. This funny little remedy is often shared between friends or passed on by grandmothers, adding a comic twist to the superstition.
Even though it’s not taken seriously today, it’s still a fun cultural detail that brings personality and humor to everyday conversations in Portugal.
5. Eating 12 Raisins on New Year’s Eve
At midnight on December 31, the Portuguese eat 12 raisins, one for each bell strike, making a wish for the new year.
There are also those who bang pot lids in the window and others who jump off a chair holding banknotes. They believe it brings wealth, prosperity, and good luck.
6. Not Opening an Umbrella Indoors
Opening an umbrella indoors is believed to bring bad luck. You will rarely see a Portuguese person do it. This superstition is so common that many people avoid it automatically, even if they don’t really believe in it. The idea is that opening an umbrella inside the house “invites misfortune,” especially arguments, accidents, or general bad luck over the next few days.
Historically, some say this belief began when umbrellas were large, heavy, and full of metal spokes — opening one indoors could easily break objects or injure someone. Over time, practicality turned into superstition, and the habit stuck. Today, it’s still common to hear a quick warning like “Não abras isso aqui dentro!” (“Don’t open it here!”) whenever someone forgets.
Whether for safety, tradition, or just to avoid tempting fate, most Portuguese prefer to wait until they’re outside before opening an umbrella.
7. Not Walking Under a Stepladder
Besides regular ladders, walking under a stepladder (escadote) is also avoided. It’s considered bad luck and slightly dangerous.
8. Sweeping Someone’s Feet
If you sweep someone’s feet, the person may never get married. This superstition is especially common during family gatherings or in households where older traditions are still respected. The idea is that the broom “sweeps away” the person’s luck in love, making it harder for them to find a partner.
To “reverse” the curse, the affected person is said to need to spit on the broom — a very old superstition that dates back to when people believed in magical powers hidden in everyday objects. While today most people see this as a humorous anecdote rather than a real danger, it’s still mentioned with a mix of laughter and caution, particularly around weddings or celebrations.
This superstition is a good example of how simple household tools, like a broom, were once thought to carry symbolic meaning, connecting daily life to luck, marriage, and social rituals in Portuguese culture.
9. Sitting on Top of a Table
Sitting on a table is said to bring bad luck and disrespect the house spirits. Many families also say it “invites poverty.” Traditionally, the table is seen as a place for meals and family gatherings, so sitting on it is believed to disrupt the harmony of the home and bring negative energy. In older generations, this act was also considered a sign of poor manners, which may have helped the superstition spread.
Even today, grandparents and parents in Portugal sometimes warn children not to climb or sit on tables — partly to avoid accidents, and partly to keep old traditions alive. Whether you take it seriously or simply see it as a cultural quirk, this superstition shows how everyday objects can carry symbolic meaning and reflect a community’s values about respect and abundance.
Some families, on the other hand, have the eldest or the man sit at the head of the table. Personally, I love sitting at the head of the table.
10. Not Sweeping the House at Night
Sweeping the house at night is avoided by some people because it’s believed to sweep away good luck, money, or positive energy. According to this old superstition, cleaning the floor after sunset doesn’t just remove dust — it symbolically “pushes out” prosperity and invites financial difficulty. For that reason, many older Portuguese still prefer to leave the broom aside once evening comes, even if it’s just out of habit.
This belief has roots in times when families relied heavily on what little they had, so anything associated with losing fortune was taken seriously. Today, most people don’t follow the superstition literally, but it often appears in casual conversations or humorous warnings from grandparents. It’s a fun example of how traditional thinking can linger in modern households and how daily chores can carry hidden cultural meanings.
11. Sitting at the Corner of the Table
Sitting at the corner of the table is said to prevent someone from getting married. According to Portuguese superstition, anyone who spends a meal in this unlucky spot will face seven years of “bad luck” in love or have difficulty finding a suitable partner. Although most people don’t take this belief seriously today, many still avoid the corner—just in case!
This superstition is often mentioned jokingly at family gatherings, especially when someone single is about to sit down. It becomes a playful reminder of how traditional beliefs continue to shape everyday habits, even when nobody truly believes in them. Whether for fun or tradition, if you want to keep your romantic prospects open in Portugal, it’s better to choose another seat!
Which of these superstitions do you know? Are there any similar ones in your country? It’s always fun to compare and learn about different cultures!
Superstitions may seem like small, quirky details, but they often reveal a lot about the values, fears, and hopes of a culture. Sharing them is a great way to spark conversations, discover unexpected similarities, and understand how different traditions evolve around the world. If you recognize any of these Portuguese superstitions — or if they remind you of ones from your own country — feel free to share! Comparing these beliefs can lead to surprising insights and make the process of learning a language even more enjoyable. After all, exploring a culture through its stories and habits is just as important as studying grammar and vocabulary.
