Humanity has always been fascinated by superstitions—those odd beliefs that add a bit of spice and paranoia to our lives. We knock on wood, avoid black cats, and step around ladders as if they’re crime scenes. Most superstitions are harmless little rituals passed down through generations, but some have taken a truly dark turn.
History is full of stories where people took these beliefs to deadly extremes. These aren’t just your everyday superstitions; they’re high-stakes tragedies fueled by fear, folklore, and a shocking lack of critical thinking. These are the stories that make you cringe and wonder, “Who thought that was a good idea?”
We’re talking about gruesome executions, mass panics, and mind-boggling acts of misplaced faith—all with a heavy dose of irony. After all, what’s more tragic (and a little darkly funny) than trying to avoid bad luck only to become a cautionary tale in someone else’s history book? So, here are 10 superstitions that didn’t just scare people—they literally killed.
10. Killing Left-Handed People
If you’re a lefty who’s struggled with right-handed scissors or smeared ink while writing, you know the world isn’t always made for you. But imagine being left-handed in the past when it wasn’t just inconvenient but lethal. In many societies, being a lefty was practically an invitation to the devil’s party.
The word “sinister” comes from the Latin for “left,” and people took that etymology seriously. Teachers used to tie children’s left hands behind their backs, trying to “fix” them. Instead of an A for effort, these kids got trauma and a lifelong dislike for calligraphy.
Then came the witch hunts in Europe, where being left-handed was evidence of a direct line to Lucifer. Some lefties were accused of witchcraft and executed. Imagine being burned at the stake, not for evil deeds, but for opening a jar counterclockwise. [1]
9. Redheads in the Middle Ages
In the Middle Ages, redheads were viewed with a mix of fascination and fear. Their bright hair wasn’t just rare; it was believed to be a sign of something evil. For centuries, people thought red-haired individuals were cursed by the devil. Sound familiar? Whether it was their fiery locks or a supposed connection to the otherworldly, redheads were often linked to witches, demons, and dark magic.
This superstition had real, deadly consequences. In some regions, red-haired people were accused of witchcraft and faced horrific trials. During the witch hysteria of the 15th and 16th centuries, redheads were disproportionately targeted and executed. It was believed their fiery appearance made them prone to evil—maybe because they burned hotter, or maybe the devil just liked auburn hues.
Being judged solely on hair color left no room for redheads to defend themselves as human beings. [2]
8. Sati
Who needs a maid when you’ve got a widow? In the superstition-fueled practice of sati, it wasn’t just about eternal devotion—it was also a DIY spiritual power wash. Women in India were expected to join their husbands on the funeral pyre, a fiery exit that supposedly scrubbed away all the sins of both spouses and their families. Yes, you read that right: Your in-laws’ bad karma was erased, courtesy of one flesh-flaming sacrifice.
But there’s more! Sati wasn’t just a karmic cleansing; it was also a way to prevent “disgrace.” The logic was that if a widow was alive, she might dishonor the family by, you know, existing. So, naturally, the only solution was a full-body roast. Talk about pressure—not only do you lose your husband, but suddenly, you’re the moral linchpin for generations of relatives who couldn’t stop sinning.
It’s the kind of superstition that would make even the most devoted spouses say, “I think I’ll sit this one out.” Thankfully, the practice was outlawed, though not before countless women were forced into a role no one signed up for: the family’s last line of karmic defense. [3]
7. Human Sacrifices to Stop Volcanoes
When a volcano erupts, most people think of evacuations, scientific monitoring, or dramatically announcing the end is near on local news. But in ancient civilizations, their strategy was more…primal. Human sacrifice was the go-to solution because, clearly, nothing says, “Let’s cool this molten hellfire,” like offering up a blood tribute.
In Hawaii, legends tell of sacred offerings made to Pele, the fiery volcano goddess, to appease her wrath. There’s a lot of speculation about various cultures tossing humans into volcanoes to halt eruptions, but one concrete account was recorded more recently in Indonesia, where human sacrifice was practiced to appease the Bromo volcano.
While modern geology confirms this didn’t actually reduce lava flow (shocking, right?), it did cement a grim legacy: tackling natural disasters with what could only be described as the world’s worst insurance policy—sacrificial insurance. The volcano didn’t chill out, but the community could at least sleep soundly, knowing they’d tried their best…with someone else’s life. [4]
6. The Werewolf Trials of France
Werewolves weren’t always the stuff of young adult novels or Halloween costumes. In the 16th and 17th centuries, they were a real superstition that led to real hunts. In rural France, werewolf hysteria gripped communities, and the solution wasn’t a trip to the vet or therapy—it was putting people on trial for lycanthropy.
Accusations of being a werewolf often started with being a little too hairy or spending too much time outside at night. Villagers, fearing livestock killings or strange disappearances, would quickly point the finger at the nearest socially awkward neighbor with thick sideburns. Those accused were put through gruesome trials, often involving torture, where confessions were extracted under pressure—because what screams guilty more than being forced to admit you’re a wolf?
One of the most infamous cases was that of Gilles Garnier, a French recluse accused of werewolfism in the 1570s. After intense interrogation, Garnier confessed—probably because he had no other choice—that he had been stalking children in the forest in his wolf form. He was found guilty and, unsurprisingly, burned at the stake.
The werewolf trials were a strange mix of superstition, mass hysteria, and an easy way to eliminate those who didn’t fit in. Today, they stand as a reminder of the dangers of fear—and to appreciate your hairy and socially awkward neighbors just the way they are. [5]
5. Dancing Plague of 1518
Picture a dance party so wild it turns deadly—like the worst (and longest) Zumba class imaginable. That’s what happened in Strasbourg in 1518 when dozens of people began dancing uncontrollably in the streets. At first, it seemed like harmless fun, just a bit of spontaneous medieval groove. But as the days went on, this impromptu rave spiraled into a marathon of misery. Participants couldn’t stop moving, eventually collapsing from overexertion.
Local authorities, in their infinite wisdom, decided the solution was…more dancing. They hired musicians, hoping the dancers could boogie the curse out. As one might assume, this backfired spectacularly. It was like curing hypothermia by building an ice rink. To this day, no one knows the cause of the plague, but it’s proof that even in medieval times, people just couldn’t stop the beat.
To this day, the cause of the plague remains a mystery. Was it mass hysteria? Ergot poisoning from moldy bread? A town-wide cardio challenge gone horribly wrong? No one knows. But one thing is certain: even in medieval times, people just couldn’t stop the beat. [6]
4. The Superstition of Blood Libel
The Middle Ages: a time when bathing was optional, but accusing entire communities of child murder was totally on-trend. Behold blood libel, the deadly superstition that claimed Jewish people kidnapped Christian children to use their blood in rituals despite Judaism forbidding the consumption of blood (nice try, medieval rumor mill).
This gem of collective paranoia started in 12th-century England and spread across Europe faster than an alarming TikTok trend. Accusations required zero evidence (because apparently hysteria trumped facts), and the results were catastrophic: wrongful executions, mass expulsions, and mob violence. All because someone decided their wild imagination was courtroom-worthy.
Shockingly (or not), this superstition refused to die, popping up even in the 20th century. Because if history has taught us anything, it’s that humanity sometimes loves recycling its worst ideas. [7]
3. Cursed Twins
To most of us, twins are just two identical humans, making us ask, “Wait, which one are you again?” But in parts of Nigeria, despite twins being praised in neighboring areas, twins brought less “awws” and more “oh nos.” People believed twins were bad omens or even evil supernatural beings. Twins were often abandoned, killed, or otherwise “dealt with” to save everyone from cosmic disaster. Geez, and here I am complaining about being an unheard middle child.
But, hey, cheers to the next time we mix up twins’ names in gratitude that we’ve traded life-or-death superstition for mild social awkwardness. Progress is a beautiful thing! [8]
2. Foot Binding
If you’ve ever looked at a pair of tiny shoes and thought, “Wow, how do I get my feet to look like that?” Well, in ancient China, you were in luck—if you didn’t mind intense pain, lifelong disability, and the possibility of death.
Foot binding, which became widespread during the Tang Dynasty (roughly the 10th century), was seen as the ultimate mark of beauty and femininity. The idea was simple—start binding a young girl’s feet when she was between four and eight years old and gradually compress her toes into an excruciatingly small space. This resulted in “lotus feet,” which, despite sounding like an exotic flower, were actually a mangled mess of bone, flesh, and broken dreams.
It gets better. The process was eventually done to make women more marriageable and symbolize social status. Infections, gangrene, and sometimes death were outcomes for those who had to live with their newly “perfect” feet. All for the sake of a beauty ideal that no one dared question because, well, tradition. [9]
1. Killing Albinos in Africa
In some parts of Africa, people with albinism have the unfortunate honor of being treated like lottery tickets—scratch off a body part, and apparently, riches or luck might follow. There’s a belief that albino body parts hold magical powers, which has led to gullible and greedy hunters.
Organizations in countries like Tanzania and Malawi are pushing back hard, fighting these beliefs with education, advocacy, and sheer determination. It’s not easy undoing centuries of superstition, but they’re making strides. As for the superstitious crowd? Maybe it’s time to pivot from “albino parts for prosperity” to, I don’t know, buying a lotto ticket like the rest of us. [10]
These superstitions, though shocking, remind us of the power of belief—for better or worse. They highlight the importance of questioning traditions and embracing critical thinking. From deadly witch hunts to the persecution of those with albinism, history is filled with examples of how fear and ignorance can lead to terrible consequences.
What superstitions have you heard of that made you do a double-take? Leave your comment below and share your thoughts!
