Peru is a land where the mystical mists of the Andes meet the colonial echoes of Spain, creating a vibrant tapestry of belief. Here, the spiritual world is not distant; it is woven into the soil, the food, and the very air. Exploring this cultural landscape reveals that the Peruvian people hold approximately 330 unique superstitions that guide their daily decisions. From the ancient reverence for Pachamama (Mother Earth) to the colorful rituals of the New Year, these beliefs blend indigenous Quechua and Aymara cosmovision with Catholic devotion. Whether shielding a newborn from the Evil Eye or offering the first sip of beer to the earth, these practices map the soul of a nation that respects the unseen forces surrounding it.
New Yearโs Eve Rituals (Aรฑo Nuevo)
Yellow Underwear
The most famous tradition. Wearing new yellow underwear (put on inside out, then flipped at midnight) guarantees luck and prosperity for the coming year.
The Twelve Grapes
Eating 12 grapes under the table as the clock strikes midnight ensures 12 months of happiness. You must make a wish for each grape.
The Suitcase Run
Want to travel? Grab an empty suitcase and run around the block (or your living room) at midnight to ensure a year full of voyages.
Pocketful of Lentils
Filling your pockets with raw lentils on New Year’s Eve ensures you will have money and abundance throughout the year.
Burning the “Muรฑeco”
Families create large dolls (often resembling unpopular politicians) filled with firecrackers and burn them to destroy the negative energy of the old year.
Potatoes Under the Sofa
Three potatoes are placed under a chair: one peeled, one half-peeled, one unpeeled. Picking one blindly predicts your financial future (unpeeled is best).
Bill in the Shoe
Placing a high-denomination banknote in your right shoe protects your wealth and keeps you walking toward fortune.
Sweeping Out
Sweeping dust from the inside of the house out through the front door at midnight removes bad vibes.
Wheat Spikes
Decorating the house with wheat spikes (espigas de trigo) attracts prosperity and ensures food will never be scarce.
Gold in the Champagne
Dropping a gold ring into your glass of champagne before the toast invites wealth and lasting marriages.
Home & Daily Life Protection
The Ekeko
A ceramic doll of a mustachioed man laden with goods. You must give him a cigarette on Tuesdays and Fridays to ensure abundance in the home.
Toritos de Pucarรก
Two ceramic bulls placed on the roof of a house bring protection, fertility, and a happy marriage to the inhabitants.
Sรกbila (Aloe) Behind the Door
Hanging a Sรกbila plant with a red ribbon behind the door absorbs envy. If it dies, it sacrificed itself to stop bad energy.
Passing Salt
Never pass the salt shaker directly into someone’s hand; place it on the table first, or you will quarrel with them.
Purse on the Floor
“Plata en el piso, plata que se va.” Leaving your bag on the ground makes your money run away.
Sweeping Feet
If a broom touches a single woman’s feet while sweeping, she will marry an old widower or never marry at all.
San Pedro Cactus
Planted at the entrance of a home, this cactus acts as a spiritual guardian, whistling to alert owners of intruders.
Gifting Knives
Giving scissors or knives as a gift cuts the friendship. The recipient must “pay” a coin to buy the item and save the bond.
Ringing Ears
If your left ear rings, someone is speaking ill of you. If the right rings, they are speaking well.
Under the Ladder
Like in many places, walking under a ladder in Peru is seen as inviting bad luck or halting your progress.
Open Scissors
Leaving scissors open is an invitation for conflict or separation in the household.
Broom Behind the Door
To make an unwanted guest leave quickly, place a broom upside down behind the front door.
Challa (Offering)
Before drinking beer or chicha, pour a few drops on the ground to say “Salud” to Pachamama (Mother Earth).
Itchy Palms
If your hand itches, money is coming. Don’t scratch it, or the money will disappear.
Bed Orientation
Never sleep with your feet pointing toward the door, as that is the position of the dead being carried out.
Andean Mysticism & Nature
Coca Leaves
Throwing coca leaves determines luck. If the green side lands up, it is good fortune; the pale side warns of bad luck.
The Apus
Travelers must ask permission and leave a stone (Apacheta) for the mountain spirits (Apus) to ensure safe passage.
Guinea Pig (Cuy) Reading
A “Curandero” rubs a black cuy over a sick person. When the animal is examined, it reveals the illness affecting the patient.
Pointing at Rainbows
Never point your finger at a rainbow, or your finger will rot. You must close your mouth to avoid inhaling spirits.
Egg Cleansing
Rubbing a raw egg over the body absorbs negative energy or “susto” (fright). The egg is then broken into water to read the malady.
El Muki
A goblin that lives in mines. Miners leave him coca, alcohol, or shiny objects, or he will hide the minerals or cause cave-ins.
Pishtaco
A white man (or pale stranger) who wanders at night to steal body fat from unsuspecting locals.
Breastfeeding at Night
Mothers should not breastfeed outside at night, or the moonlight will make the baby sick.
Apachetas
Adding a stone to a pile of rocks on a mountain pass relieves the traveler of fatigue and pleases the spirits.
El Tunche
In the Amazon, a spirit that whistles. If you answer the whistle, it will come for you. It represents death.
Marriage, Pregnancy & Children
Huayruro Seeds
Newborns must wear a bracelet of red and black Huayruro seeds to protect them from the Evil Eye (Mal de Ojo).
Red Thread on Forehead
A piece of red thread (or wet paper) on a baby’s forehead stops hiccups.
Pearls at Weddings
Brides should never wear pearls, as they symbolize future tears in the marriage.
Rain on Wedding Day
While inconvenient, rain on your wedding day is considered a sign of fertility and abundance.
Safety Pin on Underwear
Pregnant women wear a safety pin on their underwear during an eclipse to prevent the baby from being born with a cleft lip.
Cutting Baby’s Nails
Never cut a baby’s fingernails before they are one year old, or they will grow up to be a thief.
Denied Cravings
If a pregnant woman has a craving (antojo) and doesn’t eat it, the baby will be born with open mouth or anxiousness.
Dog Licking Legs
If a dog persistently licks a woman’s legs, it is believed she is pregnant, even if she doesn’t know it yet.
Dropping the Ring
If the wedding ring falls during the ceremony, the marriage is doomed to fail.
The Tie Cut
At weddings, guests cut pieces of the groom’s tie. The piece you get brings luck to the donor and the receiver.
Animals & Omens
Taparaco (Big Moth)
A large black moth appearing in the house announces death or bad news. A white moth brings visitors.
Owl Hooting
If an owl (Lechuza) screeches near your home, it is a messenger of illness or death.
Howling Dogs
Dogs howling at night are seeing a spirit or the soul of someone who has just passed away.
Hummingbird (Q’ente)
Seeing a hummingbird is a blessing; it is the soul of a deceased ancestor coming to visit and protect you.
Black Cat
Standard Western superstition: crossing paths with a black cat brings bad luck.
Dreaming of Snakes
Dreaming of snakes usually means problems, gossip, or debts are coming your way.
Dreaming of Falling Teeth
A widespread belief that dreaming your teeth are falling out predicts the death of a family member.
Hen Crowing
A hen crowing like a rooster is an unnatural sign of calamity; the hen is often killed immediately to stop the curse.
Crickets
A cricket in the house is good luck. If you kill it, you kill your fortune.
Condor Sighting
Seeing a condor flying high is a sign of good omen and connection to the Hanan Pacha (Upper World).
Miscellaneous Beliefs
Wet Hair
Going to sleep with wet hair will make you crazy or give you a permanent headache.
Watermelon and Water
A persistent food myth: drinking water immediately after eating watermelon will cause a terrible stomach ache or death.
Tuesday the 13th
Unlike Friday the 13th in the US, in Peru (and Spain), “Martes 13” is the unlucky day. “Don’t marry, don’t embark, don’t leave your home.”
Inside Out Clothes
If you accidentally put your shirt on inside out, it means you will receive a gift. But you must keep it that way for a while.
Stepping in Dog Poop
While gross, stepping in it with your left foot is considered a sign of unexpected money coming.
Singing at the Table
If you sing while sitting at the dinner table, you are destined to marry a crazy person.
Eye Contact Toast
When clinking glasses (“Salud”), you must look the other person in the eye, or you will have seven years of bad sex.
Coffee Bubbles
If bubbles form in your cup of coffee and float toward you, money is arriving.
Spilled Wine
Spilling wine on the table is considered alegrรญa (joy). You should dab some on your forehead.
Whistling at Night
Do not whistle in the dark, especially in the Andes, or you might attract evil spirits (Condenados) who think you are calling them.
Sweeping at Night
Sweeping after the sun goes down is bad luck; you are sweeping away your fortune.
Sneezing
One sneeze: Salud (Health). Two sneezes: Dinero (Money). Three sneezes: Amor (Love).
Menstruation and Lemon
A superstition says that if a woman on her period touches a lemon tree or tries to make mayonnaise, the plant will dry up or the sauce will curdle.
Small Spiders
Finding a tiny spider (money spider) on your clothes means you will get new clothes or money soon.
Rue (Ruda)
A magical plant. Bathing in water boiled with Ruda cleanses the body of bad luck (Saladera).
Three Knocks
Hearing three knocks but finding no one there is a sign that death is visiting the neighborhood.
Candle Flame
If a candle flame burns high and straight, it is good news. If it flickers wildly without wind, spirits are present.
References & Cultural Resources
- Ministerio de Cultura del Perรบ โ The official government body dedicated to preserving Peruvian heritage and folklore.
- UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage – Peru โ Detailed records of Peruvian traditions recognized globally, including rituals and festivals.
- Peru Travel (Official Tourism Portal) โ Official insights into Peruvian cultural experiences, mysticism, and local customs.
- Culture of Peru โ Wikipedia โ A broad overview of the syncretism between Catholic and Indigenous beliefs.
- Ekeko โ Wikipedia โ Specific history regarding the Tiwanakan god of abundance and the rituals surrounding him.
- Pachamama โ Wikipedia โ Information on the Andean “Mother Earth” goddess central to many superstitions.
- MUCEN – Museo Central (Banco Central de Reserva del Perรบ) โ Art and history collections often featuring artifacts related to spiritual beliefs and rituals.