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Home » Stepping on a Crack Superstition and Meaning: It’s a Bad Omen?

Stepping on a Crack Superstition and Meaning: It’s a Bad Omen?

Stepping on a Crack Superstition and Meaning: It’s a Bad Omen? 

You skip down a sidewalk—holding your best friend’s hand. The weather is pleasant, and you both are enjoying it.

Someone nearby plays a tune. “Step on a crack & break your mother’s back.”

A harmless small rhyme… But its origin seems almost ill-matched! You notice that you’ve just stepped on a crack. And now, your happiness goes on.

There’s nothing on the street except for feelings of horror. I know it seems to be terrifying.

People often avoid stepping on such cracks, whether they appear on sidewalks or soil. And for a reason, of course!

You frequently heard that if you stepped on any crack, you would be extremely unlucky.

To portray the unluckiness, it was also said that some black person is going to enter your family very soon.

And the most famous one is that your mother would break a number of bones.

“But are all these superstitions about it true?,” you wonder.

Let’s dig into the deep meaning and symbolism it holds!

The origin of step on a crack superstition

Road with a crack

The crack superstition is believed to be originated in the late 19th century. It didn’t actually start simply like this.

Instead, it used to be like, “Step on the crack & your mother will turn black.”

This superstition can be traced back to one more separate origin, which is much scarier to many believers. 

It is assumed that cracks in the pavement are associated with the underworld.

So, by stepping on one such cracked place, you’re welcoming a demon in your life to ruin your peace—and this demon would haunt both you and your family.

Sounds scary, right?

  • While one origin of this terrible superstition is based completely on the presence of demons living underground, the other one is an indication of the fact that demons come from within.

And both these are entirely opposite to each other! No matter what origin you actually believe, this superstition is horrible and dark.

But wait—things don’t end here! Even discussing it with others is equally responsible for inviting those demons.

However, there’s no evidence that this is true or not!

Many religions and cultures even avoid taking their meals in cracked bowls and any other utensils.

It shows that this origin might have some meaning. Anyhow, that’s not confirmed if that symbolism is that much dangerous.

So, take it easy!

Now that you’ve explored everything about its origin, have a look below to see what different cultures believe about this superstition;

In Greek Culture:

For Greeks, stepping on a crack means freeing a whole spiritual entity that could break one’s family.

Yeah, that’s right! But not all people in Greek culture believe that.

Some even think that this crack will break the devil’s back or the witch’s back.

Not just that, but it is widely assumed that it will cause rain.

Strange, isn’t it? I mean… why would the rain come when someone only steps on a crack?

Anyways, this is what they believe—and you and I can do nothing about that.

So, leave that here!

Whatever the consequences are, the idea that stepping on the crack can completely change future circumstances is an enduring one.

Also read the spiritual meaning of finding dimes on the ground.

In Egyptian Culture:

According to Egyptians, one widely perceived result of stepping on crack that persists in the current day is the damage it causes to one’s family, including their health.

Although some took the crack-stepping phrase literally & avoided cracks in order to preserve the mobility of their mothers, others were left with another sense that is “waiting for other shoes to fall.”

And this is undeniably a sign of ill fortune!

This unease has been attributed to a huge threat of bad luck that is bought by negative magic.

It generally involves the tit-for-tat scenario. Yes, you heard that right!

In this case, many offenders may cause a break simply by stepping on a crack or break.

Read the superstitions about white lighters and bad luck.

In Asian Culture:

As I mentioned earlier that the cracks in the ground lead to the underworld.

That’s exactly what most Asian cultures believe!

By stepping on them, all the evil demons would be released & bring a bad fortune with them.

In this culture, a malevolent spirit dwells in archways, cracks, and doorways.

And if you step on these cracks, it may disturb this entity, and it would curse you, which causes misfortune in your life.

Asian societies have avoided treading on the crack for generations. It is considered ominous and may even result in a divine curse.

Read the superstition about the double yolk egg.

Meaning of “stepping on a crack” in the spiritual world

The real meaning of “stepping on a crack”

It’s a common urban legend that if you tread on a crack, bad luck will follow you for the rest of your life.

What does this signify, though, in the spiritual world?

Many have believed that stepping on a crack brings ill luck; however, this may not be the case.

Walking across a crack in various religious and cultural traditions is thought to bring good fortune and help keep your life’s energies in check. 

There are many spiritual implications to stepping on a crack:

  • This phrase can also mean channeling your energy;
  • Your spiritual sensibilities are heightened;
  • It’s a sign that the dead are paying you a visit; beware;
  • It’s encouraging you to be brave; take some risks;
  • You need to stop thinking about the past; live in the present;
  • Have faith in your inner knowing; focus on the ins and outs.

Cracks might act as portals to another dimension, allowing you to take in and disperse energy from your surroundings.

When you tread on a crack, you release this potential energy and make way for something new to happen.

Yeah, that’s right!

If you’re a thrilling game, this may put you in contact with useful people or lead you on exciting adventures that could pave the way to tremendous success!

Read the superstitions about an itchy nose in left and right side.

Will I have bad luck if I step on a crack?

The bad luck associated with cracks on your path

It was in the late 19th and early 20th century that this superstition first emerged.

It was believed that stepping on a crack in the road would bring terrible misfortune and that a black person would be welcomed into your family as a symbol of this bad luck.

This baseless belief reflects the vicious racism prevalent at the time.

Bad luck is believed to follow a person who walks on an imperfection in the pavement.

Although this superstition may seem ridiculous to you but is taken seriously by many people.

If you tread on a crack, rather than letting it bring you bad luck, try viewing it as a chance to learn something about yourself and improve as a person.

Allow yourself to be filled with positive energy! The right time is NOW!

If you’re feeling anxious and worried right now, try to look at it as an opportunity to get in touch with your true self and open yourself up to divine guidance.

But let go of any concerns you may have right now and prepare yourself to receive the universe’s gifts.

Also read the superstitions about the left and right buttock twitching.

Final Words

“Step on a crack; you’ll break your mother’s back.
Step on a line; you’ll break your father’s spine.
Step in a ditch; your mother’s nose will itch.
Step in the dirt; you’ll tear your father’s shirt.”

Many people believe that bad luck and misfortune ensue from walking over pavement cracks.

Believers have more to fear from this superstition, despite the fact that it is not completely true.

There are two explanations for this belief: one involves the presence of mythological demons residing beneath the ground, and the other demonstrates that our demons reside within us.

Although it may have been considered unlucky in the past, this idea is now just an urban legend that poses no real danger.

Find solace in the thought that each new day brings you closer to heaven, and use that knowledge to fuel your journey through life with optimism, faith, and courage.

Your faith in God determines how powerful God actually is. Do not believe in superstitions; pray and remain committed to him!

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