Folk omens
Forgot something and went back home: is it bad luck?
going back home bad luck · returning home look in the mirror
- returning
- journey
- mirror
- superstition
In folk belief going back home for something you forgot means things may go wrong. There is a fix: look in the mirror before you leave again.
Why is going back a bad sign?
Going back is said to break the journey and leave your luck at home. That is why many people would rather have someone bring the forgotten item out than go back themselves.
How do you cancel it?
The best-known trick is to look in the mirror: glance at it, smile at your reflection and then leave. Some stick their tongue out at the reflection, others sit down for a few seconds.
- Look in the mirror
- Smile at yourself
- Sit down for a few seconds
What is the real point?
Going back usually means rushing and being late, and rushing leads to more mistakes. A moment's pause at the mirror actually helps you calm down, and that is a genuinely lucky habit.