Easter will bring misfortune or bad luck if you do these 3 things

There is much superstition about Easter, with some of the folklore having roots in old pagan beliefs when the time of year was known as Ostara. Over the centuries, religious beliefs have also identified “lucky” and “unlucky” practices to be carried out or avoided during Easter time.

The date of Easter (or Ostara) aligns with the lunar cycle of what’s known as the Paschal Full Moon – and this is why the date of this festival or religious celebration changes year to year. At this time of year, seeing eggs hatch and new chicks emerge is considered lucky. Likewise, if a baby is born on Good Friday, they are believed to have the gift of healing, according to superstition.

Hot cross buns baked on Good Friday were believed to have magical powers in old folklore – and these are certainly still enjoyed in current times.

But there are several things considered to be “unlucky” according to old myths – and many are everyday things, that if you’re superstitious, you may want to consider not doing.

The three main ones are as follows:

1 Using an iron spade or fork to dig earth

The planting of crops (gardening) or indeed farming is warned against on Good Friday, this is due to an old belief that no iron (as in the metal) should enter the ground.

So a spade or fork digging into the earth should be avoided for the superstitious among us – and this stems from religious beliefs, as Good Friday was the day of the crucifixion of Jesus.

However, the Farmer’s Almanac website advises that “according to folklore, plants grow better and bear more fruit if planted on Good Friday”.

But the website added: “some say don’t do it”, noting “it’s interesting to note that among some cultures, Good Friday planting is not a good thing”.

On the website, Farmer’s Almanac explained the folklore: “The Creoles of Louisiana taught that you should never garden or work the soil on this day. According to their traditions, if one cuts open the ground on Good Friday, then Christ’s blood will flow into the tilled soil.”

2 Doing household chores on Good Friday

Washing clothes is traditionally considered to be unlucky on Good Friday, with many believing they should also be avoided on the holy day of Easter Sunday too.

As well as laundry, cleaning and even ironing should be avoided on Good Friday if you’re superstitious, it’s said to stem from old catholic tradition – and participating in housework may bring “bad luck” to your family.

3 Wearing new garments on Easter Sunday – it’s “unlucky” not to

It’s considered good luck to wear at least one item of new clothing item on Easter Sunday

The tradition of an Easter bonnet stems from this old folklore tradition – and new clothing generally is considered a good omen if worn for the first time on Easter Sunday.

Snopes, an internet reference source for researching folklore and myths among other subjects, explained some of the superstitions surrounding new clothes at Easter:

“Most people are familiar with the custom of having new clothes (or at least a new bonnet) for Easter, but few know where the tradition sprang from.

“Easter is preceded by Lent, and at one time the same set of clothing was worn throughout that period, then discarded for a new outfit on Easter Sunday.”

So, if you do not wear a new item of clothing on Easter Sunday it’s actually considered “unlucky” due to the symbolism of “new life” that the new garments are said to portray.

The website Catholic Culture explained further: “This ancient tradition of new clothes is still adhered to, although its meaning and background have long since been forgotten by many.

“Actually, in many a modern family this is, perhaps, the one and only Easter custom that is still faithfully practiced.”