Mexico’s rich spiritual heritage is a blend of Indigenous (Nahua, Maya, Zapotec, etc.) cosmologies,
Catholic piety, curanderismo (folk healing), and everyday popular beliefs. These
creencias — traditional superstitions — resonate even in modern urban life, from
Día de Muertos to mal de ojo. The following selection is a brief guide to Mexico’s unseen order.
Everyday Life Beliefs
Sweeping Over Feet
Sweeping over someone’s feet means they will never get married.
Putting a Bag on the Floor
Putting a purse/wallet on the floor causes money to “flee”.
Putting a Hat on the Bed
A hat on the bed is considered bad luck—it “disrupts” the house’s energy.
Whistling at Night
Whistling at night calls the lechuza (owl-witch) or evil spirits.
Reaching Hands Across a Threshold
Shaking hands/passing items over a threshold brings arguments and bad luck.
Passing Salt Hand-to-Hand
Handing salt directly to someone leads to a quarrel—it should be placed on the table.
Entering with the Right Foot
Entering a home/workplace with the right foot (con el pie derecho) ensures a lucky day.
Saying “¡Salud!”
Saying “¡Salud!” when someone sneezes protects the soul; not saying it is considered bad luck.
Opening an Umbrella Indoors
Opening an umbrella inside calls for a string of small misfortunes.
“Con Permiso”
Saying “con permiso” when crossing a home’s threshold is to avoid offending the house spirits.
Death and Spirits
The Wail of La Llorona
Hearing the cry of La Llorona is an omen of imminent danger.
Tecolote / Lechuza
The hooting of an owl at midnight is considered a sign of death or sickness.
Passing a Cemetery
Making the sign of the cross when passing a cemetery offers protection from spirits.
Copal Incense
The smoke of Copal lights the path for ancestors and dispels bad energy.
Mal de Ojo (Evil Eye)
Infants wear a red string and ojo de venado (seed) bracelet for protection against the evil eye.
Limpia con Huevo (Egg Cleansing)
The cleansing with an egg after susto (fright) “removes” the evil eye.
Protection with Scissors
Leaving open scissors under the bed “cuts” brujas (witches) and nightmares.
Sacred Trees
Trees like the Ceiba are considered homes for spirits; disrespect brings bad luck.
Eclipse and Pregnancy
Pregnant women are said to wear a red ribbon and safety pin during an eclipse to protect the baby.
The Hour of the Three
Waking up around 3:00 AM is considered unlucky as it aligns with the “hour of the spirits.”
Numbers and Good Fortune
Martes 13 (Tuesday the 13th)
“Martes 13, ni te cases ni te embarques” — Don’t marry or embark on a journey on Tuesday the 13th.
The Luck of Seven
Seven is considered lucky; it is often chosen for lotteries and wishes.
Rosca de Reyes
The person who finds the baby figure in the Three Kings’ Cake buys tamales on February 2nd—it attracts abundance.
12 Grapes
Eating 12 grapes on New Year’s Eve “accelerates” the fulfillment of 12 wishes.
Tour with a Suitcase
Walking around the block with a suitcase at midnight brings travel throughout the year.
Colored Underwear
Wearing red on New Year’s calls for love, yellow for money.
Sweeping the House Outwards
Sweeping towards the door in the last minutes of the year “throws out” bad luck.
Opening the Door
Opening the door/window at midnight is to “let the old year out and the new one in.”
Coin in the Shoe
Placing a coin inside the shoe in the first minutes of the New Year brings prosperity.
The First Peso
Keeping the “first peso” in the wallet ensures money stays with you.
Knocking on Wood
Tocar madera — knock on wood to ward off the evil eye.
St. Benedict Medal
Wearing it provides protection against the evil eye and jealousy.
St. Jude and the 28th
Lighting a green candle on the 28th of the month “clears the path” for difficult requests.
Azabache (Jet)
The black azabache stone absorbs the evil eye; worn by children.
Ojo de Venado (Deer’s Eye)
The Mucuna seed is a symbol of “good fortune” and protection.
Yellow Candle
Lighting a yellow candle is for abundance and job luck.
Not Lending Money
Lending money on the first day of the year is said to leave one penniless all year.
Doorbell/Chime
A small bell on the door dispels bad energy and invites prosperity.
Sign on Bread
Drawing a small cross on bread brings abundance to the table.
Corn Cob Bunch
A corn cob hanging in the kitchen symbolizes an abundance of food all year.
Nature and Animals
Monarch Butterflies
The monarchs in Michoacán are interpreted as the return of ancestral spirits.
Cempasúchil (Marigold)
The petals of the marigold (tagetes) guide the spirits to the home.
Hummingbird
The presence of a hummingbird is a sign of love or good news.
Black Cat
A black cat crossing the path is considered bad luck (seen as neutral in some regions).
Dog Howling
A dog howling persistently may be a harbinger of a nearby death.
Rainy Wedding
Rain on the wedding day is a sign of abundance and a strong marriage.
Rainbow
The rainbow is considered a symbol of divine protection and good news.
Bee Inside the House
A bee entering the house indicates a guest or money is coming soon.
Lizard
A small lizard seen inside the house is said to bring luck.
Breeze
If the sereno (night dew/cool breeze) “strikes,” it brings sickness; one should not go out with wet hair.
Objects and Omens
Gifting a Knife
It “cuts” friendship; if a coin is given in return, the effect is neutralized.
Scissors under the Pillow
Open scissors under the pillow cut nightmares and ward off *brujas* (witches).
Breaking a Mirror
Breaking a mirror is considered a sign of long-lasting bad luck.
Water Behind the Door
A glass of water behind the door “collects” bad energy; it is poured out in the morning.
Lemons in Corners
Lemons placed in room corners absorb jealousy; they are replaced when they turn dark.
Sábila (Aloe)
Aloe hung on the door with a red ribbon breaks the evil eye and bad looks.
Spilling Salt
Throwing a pinch of salt over the left shoulder wards off bad luck.
Salt is Not Passed Hand-to-Hand
Putting salt down on the table prevents arguments within the home.
Bag on the Floor
Putting a bag/wallet on the floor drives money away.
Sombrero en la Cama (Hat on the Bed)
A hat on the bed brings bad luck—it is a common taboo.
Broom in the Back
A broom turned upside down behind the door “sends away” unwanted guests.
Sweeping at Night
Sweeping the house at night is considered sweeping luck out.
Dropped Utensil
If a knife drops, a male guest will arrive; a fork, a female; a spoon, a child.
Flickering Flame
A flickering candle flame indicates the presence of a spirit in the room.
Falling Frame
A picture frame falling on its own means unexpected news.
Saint Cards
Keeping a saint’s image in the wallet/on the door protects the home and business.
Domingo de Ramos (Palm Sunday)
Hanging the palm cross on the door provides year-long protection.
Egg Shell
Crushing the shells in front of the door after a *limpia* “breaks the evil eye.”
Broken Plate
Throwing out broken plates also takes the evil eye and bad luck with them.
Mirror on the Door
Hanging a mirror facing outwards on the door reflects bad looks.
Festivals and Omens
The Four Elements of the Ofrenda
Candles, *pan de muerto*, *cempasúchil*, and water—a path and offering for the spirits.
Flower Path
Making a path of yellow petals from the door to the altar invites the visitors in.
Calaverita (Sugar Skull)
Sugar skulls symbolize joyous remembrance and protection.
Sharing Pan de Muerto
Shared bread keeps the family and ancestors together.
Rosca Figure
The person who finds the baby figure hosts the guests on February 2nd (*Candelaria*).
Dressing the Niño Dios
Dressing the Child Jesus statue on *Candelaria* brings year-long abundance.
Día de la Santa Cruz (Day of the Holy Cross)
Hanging a cross on construction sites protects the workers; small offerings are made.
Fiestas and Fireworks
Fireworks at festivals disperse evil spirits.
Casita for the Aluxes
In Yucatán, making a “house” for small spirits protects fields and constructions.
San Juan Rain
Rain on June 24th is considered a blessing of abundance and purification.
Dreams and Signs
Losing Teeth
Considered a harbinger of death or major change in the immediate circle.
Snake
A snake is a warning of betrayal; in some regions, it also means money.
Clear Water
Clear water means peace and resolution; muddy water means chaos.
Deceased Relative
Ancestors appearing in dreams ask for prayer or water; they must be remembered.
Fire
Fire means passion and wealth; if uncontrolled, it signifies fighting and destruction.
Wedding
Dreaming of a wedding is interpreted as a minor sadness.
Filth
Disgusting but common: interpreted as money coming.
Birds
Flying birds are a sign of news and travel.
Baby
Seeing a baby means a new beginning or responsibility.
Corn
Corn/cobs are a dream of abundance and good harvest.
Modern Beliefs
Saint in the Rearview Mirror
A saint card/medallion in the car provides protection against accidents.
Virgen de Guadalupe
A Guadalupe sticker provides divine protection on the road.
Chain Prayers
Forwarding a message/prayer chain brings blessings; breaking it brings bad luck (it is said).
Single Ring at Night
A single ring/call at night may be a message from spirits—it is advised not to answer.
“Aztec Death Whistle”
It is said that playing the *Silbato de la muerte* (death whistle) at home summons bad energy.
Baby Hiccups
Sticking a wet thread to a baby’s forehead stops the hiccups (folk practice).
Touching Without Praising
Anyone who praises a baby must touch them to prevent the evil eye.
San Martín Caballero
A figure of San Martín in a shop attracts customers and prosperity.
Friday the 13th (Adopted)
In some places, Friday the 13th is also considered unlucky; the original tradition is Tuesday the 13th.
Palms and Charms
Renewing palm crosses and charms every year “refreshes” the protection.
Official and Academic Sources on Mexican Culture & Beliefs
-
Secretaría de Cultura (Mexican Secretariat of Culture)
— Mexico’s official cultural policies, tangible/intangible heritage. -
INAH — Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia
— National institution for archaeology, ethnology, and heritage. -
Museo Nacional de Antropología (MNA)
— The country’s largest anthropology museum; exhibitions and online resources. -
UNAM — Instituto de Investigaciones Antropológicas
— Academic studies on Indigenous cosmologies, rituals, and folk beliefs. -
Encyclopaedia Britannica: Day of the Dead
— Origins and practices of Día de Muertos. -
Smithsonian Folklife: Day of the Dead
— Compilations on the *ofrenda*, *cempasúchil*, and remembrance practices. -
Wikipedia: Curandero / Curanderismo
— Folk healing tradition, including *limpia*, *susto*, *mal de ojo*, etc. -
Wikipedia: Mal de ojo
— The evil eye belief and protection methods. -
Wikipedia: La Llorona
— Different regional variants of the legend. -
Wikipedia: Alux
— Small nature spirits in Yucatán and the practice of making offerings to them. -
Trotter & Chavira — Curanderismo: Mexican American Folk Healing
— Classic work on folk healing (selected chapters).