Have you ever thrown salt over your left shoulder and wondered why? Richard Webster has travelled the globe collecting superstitions from every country and culture. Documented here are over 500 of the most obscure, curious, and downright bizarre superstitions of the Western world. This all-encompassing compilation features modern practices - blessing someone who sneezes, saving wedding cake, and wearing St. Christopher medals while travelling - as well as centuries-old beliefs. Discover how Friday the 13th, the Bermuda Triangle, ravens, and black cats became so unlucky. And why the number seven, pennies, robins and rabbits' feet are associated with good fortune. Trivia fans and fun fact fanatics will adore this eclectic collection of superstitions and irrational beliefs surrounding holidays, births, funerals, weddings, colours, gemstones, trees, flowers, fairies, foods, sailing, the theatre, the mystical, and many more.