Argentina’s everyday life is dense with signs, omens and protective rituals. Folklore collectors sometimes speak of around
320 popular superstitions still circulating across the country, from the Andean Northwest to the streets of Buenos Aires and the windswept towns of Patagonia. Blending
indigenous, Spanish-Catholic, Italian and other immigrant traditions with the passions of
mate, tango and fútbol, these beliefs form a colorful map of how many Argentines try to keep bad luck away and invite good fortune in.
This guide gathers eighty well-known Argentine superstitions. It explains what people do, why they think it works, and how these practices fit into daily life. Not everyone in Argentina believes all of them, of course, but together they show how
risk, luck and hope are woven into ordinary routines.
Daily Life and Home Superstitions
Tuesday the 13th – “Martes 13”
In Argentina, the unlucky day is often martes 13, not Friday the 13th. A popular saying warns:
“En martes 13, no te cases ni te embarques.” Getting married, launching a business or starting a big trip on this date is thought to invite
bad luck.
Night Sweeping Sweeps Luck Away
Many households avoid sweeping after dark. Pushing dirt out of the door at night is said to sweep away money, opportunities and family harmony. If cleaning is unavoidable, people try not to sweep directly over the threshold.
Spilled Salt and the Left Shoulder Trick
Dropping salt on the table is seen as a small bad omen. To “repair” it, some Argentines quickly toss a pinch over their
left shoulder, symbolically throwing misfortune backwards and away.
Knocking on Wood – “Tocar Madera”
After saying something hopeful – “I’ll keep this job” or “the exam will go well” – people often
knock on wood to keep fate from “hearing” and ruining it. A wooden table, door frame or even the steering wheel can serve.
Hat on the Bed
Placing a hat on a bed is widely avoided. The gesture is linked to visits from priests (who traditionally laid their hat on a bed when someone was gravely ill) and is now seen as attracting misfortune or arguments in the household.
Bag or Wallet on the Floor
Leaving a purse or wallet on the floor “lets the money escape.” To keep income flowing, people try to hang bags on a chair or hook instead.
Umbrella Indoors
Opening an umbrella inside a house is a classic sign of bad luck. Beyond being impractical, it is believed to “open the sky” indoors and disturb the balance of the home.
Stepping Over Someone
Walking directly over a person lying on the floor is said to stunt their growth or “cut” their luck. If it happens by accident, many immediately step back the other way to undo the effect.
Ringing Ears and Gossip
A sudden ringing in one ear means someone is talking about you. Some Argentines quietly name possible people until the ringing stops, believing they have guessed the right one and “cut” the gossip.
Whistling at Night
In many homes, whistling after dark is discouraged. The sound is thought to call wandering spirits or stir up restless energy, especially in older neighborhoods.
Love, Family and Relationship Superstitions
Table Corners and Delayed Marriage
Sitting long at the corner of a table is said to delay marriage. In family dinners, unmarried guests are sometimes jokingly asked to move “so you don’t stay single forever.”
Seeing the Bride in Her Dress
As in many cultures, it is considered bad luck for the groom to see the bride in her full wedding dress before the ceremony. The surprise at the altar is believed to protect the couple’s future.
Rice for Abundance
Throwing rice over newlyweds at the church or civil registry door symbolizes fertility and material plenty. Each grain stands for wishes of prosperity for the new household.
Turning Saint Anthony Upside Down
To find a partner, some devotees place a small statue of Saint Anthony upside down until he “brings” a good match. Once love appears, the saint is put back on his feet in thanks.
New Year’s Underwear Colors
On New Year’s Eve, many choose yellow underwear for money,
red or pink for love and passion, and
white for peace. The first garment of the new year is meant to “tune” the year’s energy.
Passing Knives and Arguments
Handing a knife directly from hand to hand is thought to provoke fights. To avoid cutting the relationship, people place the knife on the table and let the other person pick it up.
Falling Photo Frames
When a photo frame falls on its own, especially one showing a couple, some read it as a warning of conflicts or separation. Others simply fix it and say a quick prayer to neutralize the omen.
Seven Red Roses
Offering seven red roses to a favorite saint or folk shrine is a common love ritual. Each rose carries a wish: reciprocity, loyalty, joy, protection, patience, respect and long-lasting affection.
Glass of Water for Calm at Home
A simple glass of water on the bedside table or near the bedroom door is believed to absorb tension and bad dreams, helping couples and families rest more peacefully.
Complimenting Babies Carefully
When admiring a baby, many Argentines add phrases like “¡Qué lindo, que Dios lo bendiga!” and pin a small
red ribbon or blue eye charm to the clothing to avoid
mal de ojo – the “evil eye” caused by excessive envy.
Work, Money and Travel Superstitions
Gnocchi on the 29th – “Ñoquis del 29”
On the 29th of each month, families eat homemade or restaurant ñoquis (gnocchi). A coin or note placed under the plate symbolizes a month of abundance and steady work ahead.
Never Refuse the First Sale
Shopkeepers try not to turn away the first customer of the day. That early sale “opens” the cash register; refusing it might close the flow of clients and income.
Saint Cayetano and Wheat Spikes
Devotees of San Cayetano, patron of work and bread, often place small
wheat spikes by his image. Keeping them in the wallet or near the front door symbolizes secure employment and “daily bread.”
Coin in the Shoe for Interviews or Exams
Slipping a coin into your shoe before a job interview, audition or important exam is believed to “walk you” toward success and economic stability.
Returning Home After Forgetting Something
If you must go back home because you forgot an item, many recommend sitting briefly or looking in a mirror before leaving again. This small pause is thought to reset any bad luck from turning back.
Starting Trips with the Right Foot
Before a long journey, some consciously step out with the
right foot first and make the sign of the cross. The gesture asks for protection during travel, especially on long bus routes or highway drives.
Funeral Processions and Keys
Passing a funeral procession, some people quietly touch their house keys or a metal object. The cold metal is believed to form a small barrier between everyday life and the sorrow of death.
Money and the Bed
Counting money while sitting on the bed is discouraged; the bed is for rest, not for finances. The idea is that mixing the two brings anxiety and unstable income.
No Major Trips on Tuesday the 13th
Extending the martes 13 rule, many travelers avoid booking
important departures that day – especially cruises, relocations or first-time flights.
End-of-Month Purchases
Some shop owners say that if the very last customer of the month pays in cash and leaves smiling, the next month’s business will be brighter. They try to close the day – and the month – on a
positive note.
Mate, Food and Table Rituals
Saying “Gracias” for Mate
In the ritual of sharing mate, saying “gracias” means you don’t want more. Doing it too early can be read almost as rejecting the host. To keep the circle flowing, people wait to say thank you until the final round.
Do Not Stir the Bombilla
Moving the bombilla (metal straw) around in the yerba is considered bad manners and bad luck. It “ruins” the mate and upsets the host’s careful preparation.
Wine and Watermelon
A famous Argentine warning says that drinking red wine with watermelon can be dangerous. Traditional explanations claim the fruit “turns to stone” in the stomach. Many younger people laugh at this, but the superstition still appears at summer tables.
A Splash for the Saints
Some people pour a few drops of wine on the floor before a meal “for the saints” or for a deceased relative, inviting them symbolically to the table and hoping for their protection.
Bread Upside Down
A loaf of bread placed upside down on the table suggests scarcity. People quickly flip it right side up and often trace a small cross on its bottom before cutting the first slice.
Never Toast with Water
Raising a glass of plain water in a toast is widely seen as inviting misfortune. Even a few drops of juice or wine are preferred when saying “¡salud!”.
Falling Cutlery and Unexpected Guests
If a fork falls from the table, an unexpected man will visit; if a spoon falls, a woman is coming. Hosts sometimes joke about who might be on the way.
Twelve Grapes at Midnight
Some families eat twelve grapes at midnight on New Year’s Eve, one for each month. With each grape they silently make a wish for health, work or love.
Caramelized Sugar Offerings
In some folk rituals, sugar is melted until caramelized and offered with candles to saints or folk figures. The sweet smoke is thought to attract gentle, positive energies.
Good Friday Bread
On Good Friday, some households avoid cutting bread with a knife, breaking it by hand instead as a sign of respect. Bread from that day is sometimes kept as a protective symbol.
Folk Saints, Faith and Protection
Difunta Correa and Bottles of Water
Devotees of Difunta Correa leave
plastic bottles filled with water at her roadside shrines, especially in western provinces. The water thanks her for protecting travelers and asks that no one suffer thirst on the road.
Gauchito Gil’s Red Flags
Across Argentina, drivers decorate their vehicles with
red ribbons and flags for Gauchito Gil. Honking, crossing oneself or briefly greeting his shrines while passing is believed to ensure safe journeys.
San La Muerte Amulets
Some people wear tiny skeletal figures of
San La Muerte as amulets. They ask for protection, justice or help in extreme situations. Because of its dark imagery, this devotion remains controversial even among believers.
Virgin of Luján at Home and on the Road
The Virgin of Luján, national patroness, appears as small statues in homes and as stickers on buses and taxis. She is invoked for everyday protection, especially during long-distance travel.
Red Ribbons and Blue Eye Charms
To ward off mal de ojo (evil eye), families often tie a
red ribbon or hang a blue “Turkish eye” charm near cribs, front doors or car mirrors. The bright color is thought to distract jealousy.
Blessed Olive and Palm Branches
Palm Sunday branches, often olive or laurel, are taken home from church and placed behind doors or above windows. They stand as quiet shields against storms, envy and misfortune.
Crossing Yourself When Passing a Church
Even non-practicing Catholics may cross themselves when a bus or car passes a church or cemetery, especially in difficult times. The quick sign is a tiny protective ritual.
Folk “People’s Saints”
Beyond official saints, Argentines light candles to folk figures such as Gilda, Rodrigo or Ceferino Namuncurá. Their shrines often mix Catholic symbols with personal offerings like CDs, T-shirts or team scarves.
Taking and Returning a Stone
At certain shrines, visitors take a small stone as a temporary talisman, promising to return it if their request is granted. When they come back, they often leave additional offerings in gratitude.
Respecting Cemeteries
In many provinces, people avoid stepping directly on graves or taking objects from cemeteries. Doing so is thought to carry sorrow back home; flowers and candles are left, but nothing is removed.
Nature, Animals and Weather
Black Cats Crossing Your Path
A black cat can mean bad luck or good luck depending on the person. Some avoid continuing straight if a cat crosses their path; others believe the animal protects them from unseen dangers.
Owls and Night Omens
Hearing an owl call near the house at night is sometimes read as a serious warning – of illness, a death far away or an urgent message. Others see it as a reminder to stay alert rather than a fixed prediction.
Lightning and Pointing Fingers
Children are often told not to point at lightning. The flash is associated with divine or spiritual power, and pointing a finger at it is seen as disrespectful – and risky.
Halos Around the Moon
A bright halo circling the moon announces rain or wind. The more visible the ring, the stronger the weather that is said to be coming.
The Fig Tree at Midnight
A well-known legend says that the fig tree blooms only at midnight on Christmas. Watching it is considered dangerous: some claim whoever sees the blossom will go mad or encounter misfortune.
Rue at the Door
Planting ruda macho (rue) near the entrance is believed to absorb envy and negative energy. When the plant suddenly dries, some say it “took the blow” for the family.
Caña con Ruda on August 1st
On August 1st, many Argentines drink a small shot of
caña con ruda (sugarcane alcohol macerated with rue). The bitter sip is said to protect health and attract good luck for the rest of the winter. This is a symbolic ritual, not a medical treatment.
Horseshoes Above the Door
Hanging a horseshoe above the door, often with the tips pointing up, is believed to hold luck inside the home – a tradition especially strong in rural and gaucho regions.
Spiders at Morning and Night
A proverb says: “Araña de mañana, dinero; araña de noche, peligro.” Seeing a spider in the morning can bring good fortune, while killing one at night might chase opportunities away.
Frogs and Rain
A loud chorus of frogs or toads near water is a classic sign that rain is coming, especially in rural areas of the Litoral and Pampas.
Dreams, Omens and Divination
Dreaming of Teeth Falling Out
Teeth falling in dreams often symbolize a fear of loss. Many interpret them as warnings of illness or death in the family, and respond by lighting candles or giving charity as a protective gesture.
Fish in Dreams
Dreaming of fish is frequently read as a signal of abundance or, for women, as a sign of pregnancy in the extended family. The mood of the dream – calm or agitated – colors the interpretation.
Clear Rivers and Muddy Waters
A dream of a clear, flowing river suggests peace and smooth days ahead. By contrast, muddy water hints at gossip, emotional confusion or unresolved problems.
Snakes in Dreams
Dreaming of snakes can mean a coming conflict or, if the snake is calm and bright-colored, an increase in money. The emotional tone of the dream matters as much as the image itself.
White Horses and Progress
A white horse in dreams is seen as a sign of progress, travel or social recognition. For some, it announces a dignified change in life circumstances.
Losing Shoes
Dreaming that you lose your shoes may be read as fear of losing stability, work or a relationship. It invites the dreamer to walk more carefully – metaphorically and literally.
The San Juan Egg Ritual
On the Night of San Juan (around June 23–24), some people crack a raw egg into a glass of water and leave it outside overnight. In the morning they “read” the shapes to guess future travel, work or love events. This is a playful folk practice, not a reliable prediction method.
Hearing Your Name When Alone
Hearing your name called when nobody is there can feel unsettling. Some say you should answer only once, and if it repeats, ignore it and say a quick prayer, assuming a playful or lost spirit is seeking attention.
Burning Bay Leaves with Wishes
Writing a wish on a bay leaf, then burning it in a safe container, is a simple ritual meant to “send” the intention upward. People sometimes associate this with opening roads for projects or studies.
Itchy Palms
An itchy right palm means money is coming in; the left palm suggests money going out. Some rub their palms together to “circulate” the energy rather than let it slip away.
Football, Modern Beliefs and Urban “Mufa”
The Early Birthday Jinx
In Argentina it is strongly frowned upon to wish someone “happy birthday” before midnight on the actual date. An early greeting is said to “jinx” the person and bring bad luck for the year.
Lucky Jerseys and Not Washing Them
If a team wins while you wear a particular jersey, many fans refuse to wash it or change their outfit during the tournament. The shirt becomes a personal talisman of victory.
Always Sitting in the Same Spot
During winning streaks, fans try to repeat every detail: same seat on the couch, same bar stool, even the same snacks. Changing the setup is feared to break the good run.
Silence During Penalties
In tense penalty shootouts, some viewers hold their breath, avoid speaking or even mute the TV. Saying “we’ve already won” too early is classic mufa – a jinx many try to avoid.
Avoiding Certain Names
In everyday slang, some politicians or celebrities associated with crises are avoided by name. People use nicknames instead, convinced that saying the “wrong” name out loud brings bad luck or bad news.
The “Mufa” Friend
Almost every friend group jokes about someone who is mufa – “bad luck.” If the team always loses when that person is present, they might be kindly (or not so kindly) uninvited from crucial matches. It is a playful, not scientific, label.
The Lobizón, Seventh Son Legend
Rural folklore says the seventh son of a family may become a lobizón, a werewolf-like creature, on certain full moons. To counter the stigma, Argentine presidents have historically become godfathers to seventh sons – turning a fearful legend into an honor.
Ribbons in Cars
Inside many cars you’ll find colored ribbons, saint cards or rosaries hanging from the mirror. These visible charms, often red for Gauchito Gil or blue for the Virgin, are seen as constant protective companions on the road.
One-Ring Calls at Night
Late-night calls that ring only once are treated with suspicion. Many prefer not to return such calls immediately, fearing bad news, scams or simply a wave of negative energy.
Songs That Repeat “By Themselves”
When a particular song keeps playing in different places – radio, taxi, supermarket – some interpret it as a sign that a person or memory linked to that song is “knocking” at the door of consciousness.
Living with Superstitions in Argentina Today
Modern Argentina is both highly urban and deeply traditional. Many younger people treat these beliefs with humor, while older generations may follow them more strictly. In practice,
superstitions work as small, everyday rituals that give shape to uncertainty – about health, work, love, the national economy or the next football match.
It is important to remember that these are cultural practices, not scientific truths or medical advice. They should never be used to justify discrimination, neglect of health care or risky behavior. Seen with curiosity and respect, however, Argentine superstitions open a fascinating window into how people in the country imagine fate, danger and protection.
Sources
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Ministerio de Cultura de la Nación – Santos populares: Gauchito Gil
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Argentina.gob.ar – Cultura popular y tradiciones argentinas
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“Creencias y devociones argentinas” – Panorama de mitos, ritos y supersticiones
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Sol Salute – 9 Strange but Very Real Superstitions in Argentina
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El Arcón de la Historia Argentina – Leyendas, creencias y supersticiones argentinas
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Universidad Nacional de La Plata – “Supersticiones y creencias populares” (trabajo académico)