Very Superstitious...
Are you the kind of person who avoids stepping on the cracks? Do you get a shiver down your spine when someone puts their new shoes on a table? Do you touch wood after expressing an abnormal amount of optimism? If so, you're in the right place. Today we're talking all about the age-old superstition that walking under a ladder is bad luck. If you think it's all a load of hocus pocus, then just head back to the homepage and shop for your new ladder.
The Origins of the Superstition
The superstition is said to have originated around 5000 years ago in ancient Egypt. Ladders were left in the tombs of the deceased so that they could ascend up to the heavens when they were ready. the Egyptians believed that the space between the ladder and the wall was home to good and evil spirits. If disturbed, the spirits would be angered, so it was forbidden for anyone to walk beneath a ladder. It's well-known that triangles (like the triangle beneath a ladder) - just look at the pyramids!
A superstition through the ages
Long after the ancient Egyptians, the idea of the sacred triangle beneath the ladder continued to exist. In Christianity, the triangle is used to represent the holy trinity (the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit), so it was believed that walking under the ladder was blasphemous. The superstition didn't end there, later in the 1600s, criminals were made to walk underneath ladders on their way to the gallows. So, all throughout history, this superstition has stuck!
Can You Reverse the Curse?
As much as you want to avoid walking under a ladder, you might have to sometimes - but don't worry, there are some things you can do to avoid angering the gods. Here are a few different remedies you can use to reverse your bad luck:
- Cross your fingers and don't un-cross them until you come across a dog (good luck with this one).
- Walk backwards under the ladder and take a different route.
- Make a wish while you're walking under the ladder.
- Say the words 'bread and butter' as you walk under the ladder.
Ok, at this point, it's probably less hassle if you avoid walking underneath a ladder at all.
While we can't promise you that our ladders have been blessed for good luck, we can tell you that they're high quality, long-lasting and very affordable!
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