Superstition, a belief or practice generally regarded as irrational and as resulting from ignorance or from fear of the unknown.

It implies a belief in unseen and unknown forces that can be influenced by objects and rituals. Magic or sorcery, witchcraft, and the occult in general are often referred to as superstitions ( see Occultism). E amples of common superstitions include the belief that bad luck will strike the person in front of whom a black cat passes or that some tragedy will befall a person who walks under a ladder. !ood luck charms, such as horseshoes, rabbits" feet, coins, lockets, and religious medals, are commonly kept or worn to ward off e#il or to bring good fortune.
In general, superstitious practices and beliefs are most common in situations in#ol#ing a high degree of risk, chance, and uncertainty, and during times of personal or social stress or crisis, when e#ents seem to be beyond human control. $he %uestion of what is or is not superstitious, howe#er, is relati#e. One person"s beliefs can be another"s superstitions. &ll religious beliefs and practices may be considered superstition by unbelie#ers, while religious leaders often condemn unorthodo popular practices as a superstitious parody of true faith.