The Ultimate Mexican Superstitions List: 25 Weird & Wonderful Beliefs
Ever wondered why people warn you not to walk under ladders? Or why breaking a mirror will get you seven years of bad luck?
Superstitions are a universal phenomenon that offer a fascinating glimpse into the collective psyche of a nation, and every culture has its own unique set that may seem bizarre to outsiders.
As someone who has been living in Mexico since 2018, and in a long-term relationship with a Mexican since 2019 — I know some certainly seemed strange to me 🙃
However, Mexican superstitions are deeply rooted in the country’s history and cultural heritage, meshing indigenous practices from the Aztec and Maya (and others) with Catholic influences.
In this article, I’ve compiled the Ultimate Mexican Superstitions List which delves into their origins, meanings, and the role they play in contemporary Mexican society.
1. Owls are Omens of Death
In Mexican folklore, owls, particularly the lechuza (“the witch owl,” which is a woman-owl hybrid) are often seen as omens of death or misfortune.
Today, it is said that if an owl (especially a white owl) perches near your home and hoots, it foretells a death or tragedy coming your way.
When some Mexicans encounter an owl, it can evoke fear and apprehension — but for others, it’s simply one of the coolest Mexican animals.
However, these Mexican owl superstitions are deeply rooted in ancient indigenous traditions, and have been passed down through generations.
Some legends even suggest that witches can transform into white owls (which is where the Lechuza Myth comes from), using their powers to cause harm.
2. Eclipses Cause Deformities in Unborn Babies
There are A LOT of Mexican pregnancy superstitions, including this one about eclipses, which are viewed with both a sense of awe and fear in Mexican culture.
It is believed that pregnant women should avoid looking at an eclipse, as doing so can cause deformities in their unborn child.
This superstition likely has its origins in ancient beliefs about the power of celestial events.
While modern science has debunked this claim, the superstition persists in some communities.
3. Burping Gets Rid of Evil
In Mexican culture, burping is not just a bodily function, and is believed to expel sickness and evil spirits as well.
This superstition likely has roots in ancient practices where bodily functions were seen as a way to cleanse the body of impurities.
💒 San Juan Bautista Church in Chiapas, Mexico
The Tzotzil people of San Juan Chamula, located not far from San Cristobal de las Casas in Chiapas state, take serious heed of this belief.
At one of their church ceremonies, they ingest large quantities of coca-cola so they can burp and cleanse themselves.
For the Tzotzil, burping rids them of evil, and since evil is the cause of sickness, they can cure themselves and their loved ones of ailments this way.
While modern medicine may not support this belief, it remains a common practice, especially among the Tzotzil and older generations throughout Mexico.
4. Eggs and Chickens Cure Depression
In some parts of Mexico, locals believe eggs and chickens can cure depression, and there are ceremonies done to help them do just that.
In these rituals, curanderos or curanderas (witch doctors) rub an egg over the person’s head and body, and then drop it in a glass of water.
From observing the egg’s movements, they can tell their patient what things they need to do to cure depression — similar to reading tea leaves in Tasseography.
This superstition likely stems from the idea that eggs are symbols of life and renewal, and by interacting with them, one can absorb their positive energy.
With such a powerful symbol, this is just one of several Mexican egg superstitions.
5. Be Careful Passing the Salt
Passing the salt directly from hand to hand is considered bad luck in Mexico, as doing so can lead to arguments and discord.
To avoid this, people often place the salt shaker on the table for the other person to pick up instead of handing it directly to them.
This superstition is similar to beliefs found in other cultures, highlighting the universal nature of certain superstitions.
In fact, it may have begun with the overturned salt cellar in front of Judas Iscariot at The Last Supper, an incident immortalized in the Leonardo Da Vinci painting of the same name.
6. The Mexican Evil Eye (Mal de Ojo)
The evil eye in Mexico, or “mal de ojo,” is a widespread belief within the culture — and there’s a lot to know in order to understand Mexican evil eye superstitions.
It is thought that certain people have the power to cause harm or bad luck simply by looking at someone with envy or malice.
This belief has its roots in ancient Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cultures and was brought to Mexico by Spanish settlers.
The evil eye is often blamed for a variety of ailments, from headaches to unexplained illnesses.
🧿 Protecting Against the Evil Eye in Mexico
To protect against the evil eye, various amulets and rituals are used.
One common practice is to wear a red bracelet like this one, carry a small charm or wear an eye-shaped pendant like these, to ward off negative energy.
Additionally, some people use prayers and blessings to protect themselves and their loved ones from the evil eye.
These protective measures are often passed down through families and are deeply ingrained in Mexican culture.
🧿 Modern Interpretations of the Mexican Evil Eye
While belief in the evil eye remains strong in some communities, modern interpretations have emerged.
Some people view the evil eye as a metaphor for negative energy or jealousy, rather than a literal curse.
This shift reflects the changing nature of superstitions in contemporary society, where traditional beliefs are often reinterpreted in light of new knowledge and experiences.
7. Keep Your Brooms Upside Down
Keeping kitchen brooms upside down is thought to ward off unwanted visitors.
This superstition is rooted in the belief that brooms have the power to sweep away negative energy — as with the besom used by Wiccans.
By placing brooms upside down, it is said the negative energy is trapped and can’t enter the home. This practice is still common in many Mexican households.
🧹 Mexican Superstitions Pro Tip: When, where and how you sweep the floor is also important, so make sure you follow the “rules” below.
- Never sweep at night because it causes bad luck.
- Never sweep dirt out the front door (especially not at night), or you’ll sweep out the good luck with it.
- Never sweep over someone’s feet, or you’ll curse them with bad luck.
- Never sweep over the feet of someone who’s single (especially a “soltera,” or single woman), or they won’t find love.
8. Never Let Your Purse Touch the Floor
In many Latin American countries, including Mexico, letting your purse touch the floor is believed to bring bad luck, especially in the form of financial loss.
This superstition is rooted in the idea that the floor is dirty and placing your purse on it can transfer negative energy to your finances.
To avoid this, many people make a conscious effort to keep their purses off the ground.
9. Don’t Drop Tortillas on the Floor
Dropping a tortilla on the floor is considered a bad omen in Mexico, and believed to lead to misfortune or bad luck.
This superstition likely has its origins in the importance of tortillas in Mexican cuisine and culture.
As a staple food in Mexico, tortillas are treated with respect, and dropping one is seen as a sign of carelessness.
10. Licking a Piece of Red String Cures Hiccups
One of the more unusual Mexican superstitions involves licking a piece of red string to make your hiccups go away.
After licking it, you should place it on your forehead so that it dangles down onto your face, and the saliva should help make this happen pretty easily.
This practice is believed to work because the color red is associated with health and vitality — though there’s obviously no scientific evidence to support it.
However, it remains a popular hiccup remedy for those who believe in it, and there might be something to that because placebos can be the best cures.
11. Fizzy Drinks Cure Stomach Aches
Here’s one of the more interesting and fun Mexico facts for you: Mexicans consume more coca-cola than any other country in the world.
With some always on hand in many households, fizzy drinks, particularly coca-cola, are often used as a remedy for stomach aches in Mexico.
This belief is based on the idea that the carbonation helps to settle the stomach and relieve discomfort.
You might see this in the U.S. as well, though ginger ale is more commonly consumed than cola, as ginger is known to settle the stomach and even cure nausea.
While these remedies are widely used in many places, it’s always best to consult a healthcare professional for persistent or severe symptoms.
12. Eating 12 Grapes at Midnight: One of the Mexican New Year Superstitions
New Year’s Eve is a time for various superstitions and rituals in Mexico.
One popular practice is to eat 12 grapes at midnight, with each grape representing a wish for the coming year.
Known as Las Doce Uvas de Suerte, or The 12 Grapes of Luck, you should consume one grape during the 12 chimes of the clock in your home at midnight.
This one is much harder than it sounds, so for some easier Mexican New Year superstitions, try these things:
- Sweep the house from the inside out to remove negative energy and make way for good luck.
- Walk around the block with your suitcase if you want to travel more this year.
- Burning an effigy of an old man, known as “El Año Viejo” (The Old Year).
These rituals reflect the hope and optimism that characterize the start of a new year.
13. Wear Yellow Underwear on New Year’s to Attract Love
Wearing yellow underwear on New Year’s Eve in Mexico is believed to bring luck in love for the coming year.
This superstition is based on the idea that the color yellow symbolizes happiness and positive energy.
By wearing yellow underwear for Año Nuveo (New Year), you can attract love — but you can also wear different colors for different things:
- 🟢 Green Underwear: Some say it brings good luck, while others say green symbolizes money
- 🟡 Yellow Underwear: Some say it brings love, while other say yellow symbolizes wealth and prosperity
- 🔵 Blue Underwear: Good health
- 🔴 Red Underwear: Passion and love
- 🟠 Orange Underwear: Professional success
- ⚪️ White Underwear: Peace, joy, happiness and harmony
This practice of wearing different colored underwear is popular among young people, and often accompanied by other Mexican New Year’s rituals.
14. Black Moths Foretell Death
Black moths, known as “mariposas negras,” are considered omens of death in Mexican superstition.
If a black moth enters a home, it is believed that someone in the household will soon die.
This belief likely has roots in ancient symbolism, where black animals were often associated with death and the afterlife.
While many people no longer take this superstition seriously, it remains a part of the cultural lore.
15. Tortillas Determine Relationship Success
In some Mexican households, the way a tortilla cooks can determine the success of a relationship.
If the tortilla puffs up while cooking, that’s a sign of a happy, successful relationship. Conversely, if it remains flat, it is believed the relationship may face challenges.
This fun superstition adds a touch of magic to the everyday act of cooking.
16. Tuesday the 13th is Unlucky
While Friday the 13th is considered unlucky in many cultures, in Mexico, Tuesday the 13th is feared too.
This superstition likely has its origins in Spanish culture, where Tuesday is associated with the god of war, Mars, and is considered an inauspicious day.
On this day, people often avoid making important decisions or starting new ventures to prevent bad luck.
17. Garlic Protects Babies from Evil
Newborns are considered particularly vulnerable to evil spirits in Mexican culture. To protect them, various rituals and practices are followed.
One common practice is to place a red ribbon bracelet like this on the baby’s wrist to ward off the evil eye.
Additionally, some families place a small piece of garlic under the baby’s pillow for added protection.
18. Bolillo Bread Cures Everything
In Mexico, simply eating bread, specifically a bolillo bread roll, is considered a powerful remedy for various ailments — from headaches to heartaches!
This superstition is likely rooted in the symbolic importance of bread as a staple food and a source of sustenance.
While bread may not have magical healing properties, it remains a comforting and familiar food for many people.
19. Never Scratch Your Palms
Scratching your palms is believed to bring bad luck in Mexican culture, as doing so can lead to financial loss or other misfortunes.
To avoid this, people often resist the urge to scratch their palms, even if they’re itchy.
This superstition highlights the importance of self-control and mindfulness in daily life.
20. Burying the Baby’s Umbilical Cord
In some parts of Mexico, it is customary to bury a baby’s umbilical cord in a special location. This practice is believed to ensure the child’s health and well-being.
The chosen location is often significant, such as near a family home or a place of spiritual importance.
This superstition highlights the deep connection between the physical and spiritual worlds in Mexican culture.
21. You Can See Aliens at Tepozteco Pyramid
There are many haunted places in Mexico, like the Tepozteco, a mountain in Morelos that’s believed to be a hotspot for alien activity.
Located at the top of this mountain, you’ll find the ancient Tepozteco Ruins — and as someone who has been there, it really is a wonder humans were able to build the temples so high up!
According to local legend, UFOs are frequently sighted in the area, and some people claim to have had encounters with extraterrestrial beings.
This superstition adds an element of mystery and intrigue to the natural beauty of Tepozteco, attracting both tourists and UFO enthusiasts.
22. Aliens Also Frequent the Mapimi Silent Zone
Looking for Mexican paranormal places? Often called the Bermuda Triangle in Mexico, the desert area in Mapimí Biosphere Reserve is known for mysterious phenomena.
Radio signals and compasses reportedly fail here, and there are tales of meteorite impacts and extraterrestrial activities.
Some visitors claim to have seen a blonde woman (though some say it’s a man) vanish into thin air after asking for water.
There have also been numerous reports of UFOlogical phenomena in the area, including UFO crafts flying overhead and alien-like creatures roaming the land.
23. Hummingbirds Make Dreams Come True
In Mexican folklore, hummingbirds are seen as messengers of love and good fortune, and if a hummingbird visits you, your dreams and wishes will come true.
This is one of the Mexican superstitions about dreams that’s rooted in ancient indigenous beliefs, where hummingbirds were considered sacred creatures.
Today, many people still view hummingbirds as symbols of hope and positivity — and they’re even one of the most popular Mexican tattoos to get.
😴 Mexican Superstitions Pro Tip: Never share your good dreams with anyone or they won’t come true. However, you can openly talk about your nightmares.
24. Seeing the Bride in Her Wedding Dress Before the Ceremony
In Mexican culture, it is considered bad luck for the groom to see the bride in her wedding dress before the ceremony.
This superstition is similar to beliefs found in other cultures, and is rooted in the idea that seeing the bride beforehand can bring misfortune to the marriage.
To avoid this, couples often go to great lengths to ensure the groom does not see the dress until the wedding day.
25. Witch Doctors Can Cure You in Mexico
Curanderos (males) and curanderas (females) are traditional healers that play a significant role in Mexican culture.
They’re believed to have the ability to cure physical and spiritual ailments using a combination of herbal remedies, rituals, and prayers — and you can even hire them for an amare (love spell).
Curanderos often serve as a bridge between the physical and spiritual worlds, providing guidance and support to those in need.
Their practices are deeply rooted in indigenous traditions and are often passed down through generations.
🧙♀️ Beliefs in Brujas and Brujos
Brujas (female witches) and brujos (male witches or wizards) are also an important part of Mexican folklore.
They’re believed to possess supernatural powers and can use their abilities for both good and evil.
While some brujas and brujos are feared for their potential to cause harm, others are respected for their knowledge and skills.
Belief in these figures reflects the complex and multifaceted nature of Mexican superstitions.
🧙♀️ Mexican Witches in Contemporary Practices
In modern Mexico, the practices of curanderos and brujas continue to thrive, often coexisting with conventional medicine.
Many people seek out these traditional healers for ailments that they believe cannot be treated by modern medicine.
This enduring belief in the power of curanderos and brujas highlights the resilience of cultural traditions in the face of change.
FAQ: The Most Common Mexican Superstitions
What is the significance of the evil eye in Mexican culture?
The evil eye, or mal de ojo, is believed to cause harm or bad luck through envious or malicious looks.
This eye is a widespread symbol with roots in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cultures, as seen with the Hamsa hand from ancient Mesopotamia.
Why is it considered bad luck to let your purse touch the floor in Mexico?
Letting your purse touch the floor is believed to bring financial loss and bad luck.
This superstition is rooted in the idea that the floor is dirty and can transfer negative energy to your finances.
What are some common New Year’s superstitions in Mexico?
Common New Year’s superstitions in Mexico include eating 12 grapes at midnight for good luck, and sweeping the house from the inside out to remove negative energy.
You can also wear different colored underwear to achieve different things in the New Year, like wearing yellow for love, and walk around the block with your suitcase if you want to travel more.
Why do Mexicans believe that black moths symbolize death?
Yes — In fact, black moths (mariposas negras) are considered omens of death in Mexican superstition and folklore.
This belief likely has roots in ancient symbolism, where black animals were often associated with death and the afterlife.
What role do curanderos play in Mexican culture?
Curanderos are traditional healers from various indigenous traditions that serve as a bridge between the physical and spiritual worlds.
They are revered (and often feared) by many because they know how to use herbal remedies, rituals, and prayers to cure physical and spiritual ailments.
How do Mexicans protect themselves from the evil eye?
Mexicans seeking protection from the evil eye often wear amulets like this red bracelet or these eye-shaped pendants.
To further protect against the Mal de Ojo Evil Eye, prayers, rituals and blessings are also commonly used.
My Final Thoughts on Superstitions in Mexico
Superstitions in Mexico (as well as superstitions in any country) are more than just quirky beliefs — they’re an integral part of the cultural fabric.
They can offer a unique window into the collective psyche of a nation and its people, showcasing their hopes, fears and values.
Mexican superstition beliefs often serve as explanations for events that are beyond human control, providing comfort and a sense of order in an unpredictable world.
For many Mexicans, especially the older generations, superstitions are a way of life.
Passed down from generation to generation, often through oral traditions, they’re deeply embedded in the collective consciousness — and a testament to the enduring power of cultural beliefs and traditions.
While some superstitions may seem strange or irrational to outsiders, they provide comfort and a sense of order in an unpredictable world.