Superstitions are an age-old belief that the supernatural can shape our lives, influencing everything from daily events to major milestones. Despite knowing some of these beliefs defy science and reason, many people can’t help but believe in these mystical rituals, hoping to ward off bad luck or incite good luck. Whether it’s knocking on wood, crossing fingers, or avoiding cracks in the pavement, superstitions offer a sense of control over the unpredictable forces of fate.

which are the most commonly held superstitions among Brits?

In the UK alone, 34% of adults admit to holding superstitions revealing that the power of these practices remains as strong as ever. But, which are the most commonly held superstitions among Brits?

To find out, we have analysed 30 of the most common superstitions, ranking them based on search interest to determine the most widely believed and researched. We also looked at search volume across UK cities in relation to these superstitions to identify the UK’s most superstitious city.

The most commonly believed superstitions in the UK

1. Friday the 13th

The most widely held superstition in the UK is the belief that Friday the 13th brings bad luck. Over the last year there have been 413,640 Google searches for this ominous date. Whilst some people remain more cautious on this day, others go as far as avoiding their usual routines entirely. This fear is known as paraskevidekatriaphobia.

The origins of this superstition are rooted in religious connotations. However, the combined fear of Friday the 13th is a relatively recent phenomenon, gaining traction only in the past century. Historically, it was just the number 13 that was considered unlucky, which explains why many planes skip row 13 and high-rise buildings often exclude a 13th floor.

The belief in this unlucky day is deep-rooted across the UK, being the most frequently Googled in every city analysed. Ironically, for those who do not believe in this superstition, Friday the 13th could bring good fortune – it is known for having cheaper flight prices!

next time Friday the 13th rolls around, try to embrace it”

A spokesperson at VSO adds, “Although Friday the 13th is widely believed to bring bad luck, there is little evidence to suggest that the odds of misfortune are higher on this date. Some studies have attempted to link Friday the 13th with an increase in road accidents, but these claims have largely been debunked. In fact, it has been suggested that the fear of bad luck might actually cause people to make poor decisions, leading to mishaps. So, next time Friday the 13th rolls around, try to embrace it – it might turn out to be your lucky day!”

2. Fingers crossed

Crossing your fingers has long acted as a signal of good luck, so much so that it has become ingrained in everyday culture – there is even an emoji for it. Whether you physically cross your fingers or simply say the words “fingers crossed,” it’s widely believed to bring good fortune and prevent bad outcomes.

Despite its popularity, the superstition generates less online curiosity than “Friday the 13th,” with only 155,400 Google searches per year in comparison. 

This gesture is believed to trace back to Pagan and early Christian traditions. Originally, two people would cross their fingers together to invoke good luck, but over time it has evolved into a solo act. Crossed fingers were once used to ward off evil, but today, it is the hopeful gesture for good fortune that has stood the test of time.

3. Four leaf clover

Another well-known symbol of good luck is the elusive four-leaf clover, which ranks as the third most popular superstition in the UK, receiving 107,040 annual Google searches. 

This belief can be traced back to Ireland, where ancient priests, known as Druids, used shamrocks – three-leaf clovers – in their rituals, believing that they possessed magical powers. The rarity of the four-leaf clover, with only about 1 in 10,000 clovers having this extra leaf, has likely contributed to its unwavering reputation as a good luck charm. 

The most superstitious cities in the UK

Despite superstitions being widely believed across the UK, some cities are much more superstitious than others. This is often rooted in the locations’ history and culture.

1. Manchester

Claiming the title of the most superstitious city in the UK, Manchester’s residents search for superstitions approximately 537 times per 10,000 residents every year. As with much of the country, the most popular superstitions among Mancunians include Friday the 13th, fingers crossed, and four-leaf clovers. However, Manchester’s deep-rooted football culture may be a key factor behind the city’s heightened belief in luck and rituals. Superstitions play a core role for both fans and players, with Manchester City, one of the city’s most iconic teams, known for its player’s adherence to various pre-match rituals. This sporting influence likely amplifies the city’s attachment to such beliefs.

2. Belfast

Belfast closely follows Manchester, with 524 superstition-related Google searches per 10,000 residents each year. While the phrase “the luck of the Irish” reflects Ireland’s long-standing belief in luck, it is interesting that the four-leaf clover only ranks as the third most-searched superstition – despite originating in Ireland – behind Friday the 13th and fingers crossed. Belfast’s rich Irish heritage, steeped in tales of spirits, omens, and mystical beliefs, likely fuels the modern day interest in superstitions.

3. Leeds

Leeds ranks in third place, with around 467 superstition-related searches per 10,000 residents, annually. Similar to Manchester, Leeds has a strong sports culture, meaning match-day rituals and lucky charms play a significant role in residents’ lives. The city’s most commonly searched superstitions mirror those of the top two cities: Friday the 13th, fingers crossed, and four-leaf clovers.

4. Plymouth

Plymouth ranks in fourth for the most superstitious UK cities, with an average of 447 Google searches per 10,000 residents each year. Whilst Friday the 13th is the most commonly searched superstition – much like in other cities – Plymouth residents show a stronger interest in the luck associated with numbers, spanning beyond the unlucky number 13. The second most searched term is the four-leaf clover, whilst the number 666, believed to represent the devil, takes third place. This suggests that residents of this city are particularly superstitious when it comes to numbers and their potential to influence luck, rather than specific actions or rituals.

5. Wolverhampton

Rounding out the top five is Wolverhampton, where superstition-related searches reach approximately 437 per 10,000 residents each year. Similar to Plymouth, residents of Wolverhampton are more intrigued by the potential luck or misfortune associated with numbers as opposed to gestures or rituals. The top three most searched superstitions include Friday the 13th, four-leaf clovers, and the number 666. 

What about the capital cities?

Surprisingly, Edinburgh ranks only seventh on the list, despite being one of the most haunted cities in Europe. With the ghostly Edinburgh Castle and its deep history of witchcraft, one may expect superstition to be more prevalent here. However residents here only google superstition-related terms around 410 times each year per 10,000 people.

Londoners seem far from interested in these beliefs, with only 211 searches per 10,000 residents

Even more surprising is that London does not appear in the top 20. Given its mysterious history – such as the chilling, unsolved case of Jack the Ripper – it would again be easy to assume that superstitions would thrive in this city. Yet, Londoners seem far from interested in these beliefs, with only 211 searches per 10,000 residents annually.

A spokesperson at VSO adds: “It seems as though encounters with the paranormal don’t necessarily increase superstition. In these cities with some of the spookiest histories, there’s surprisingly less interest in superstitions. Despite only a quarter of UK adults claiming to have seen a ghost, a third still believe in superstitions, suggesting that the two do not go hand in hand.”

Sources and methodology

To find out the most common superstitions in the UK, we gathered a seedlist of popular British superstitions. We used eight different search terms for each superstition and combined the overall search volume using Google Keyword Planner. The superstitions were then ranked based on the most to least searched.

To find out the most superstitious cities in the UK, we searched for each of the superstitions using the same eight search terms, but looked at individual cities. Again, cities were ranked based on those with the highest to lowest search volumes.

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