Today, I heard about a superstition that caught me off guard: crossing paths with someone on a staircase is supposed to bring bad luck. How had I never heard of this before? As someone who’s always been fascinated by the weird and wonderful world of superstitions, I was instantly hooked.
What does it even mean? Where did it come from? Naturally, I had to dig a little deeper, and what I found was a whole rabbit hole of stair-related folklore—full of cautionary tales, symbolic meanings, and a surprising amount of drama.
What’s The Deal With Crossing Paths On Stairs?
Here’s the gist: if you and someone else are going up or down a staircase at the same time and you cross paths, it’s supposedly bad news. Some versions of this superstition say the person going up should always have the right of way, while others claim that crossing paths messes with the “natural flow of energy.”
In some cultures, they take it even further, saying it could lead to arguments, accidents, or—yikes—even death. To avoid all this chaos, some people will wait until the other person has completely passed before they keep going.
The whole thing probably comes down to the symbolism of stairs. Think about it—stairs are kind of a liminal space, a bridge between two places, like the earthly and the spiritual or the known and the unknown. Crossing paths on something so transitional might feel like you’re “messing” with the balance of the universe. And, well, who wants to risk that?
Other Stair Superstitions (Because Apparently Stairs Are Scary)
Turns out, this isn’t the only stair-related superstition out there. Stairs seem to be a magnet for all kinds of spooky beliefs. Here are a few I found:
Never Walk Under a Ladder: Okay, this one’s a classic. Walking under a ladder is supposed to bring bad luck, partly because it breaks the “holy” triangle shape (thanks, Christian symbolism) and partly because ladders were once linked to gallows.
Step on a crack, break your mother’s back: Remember this one from the playground? It’s not just a silly rhyme—it’s actually rooted in the idea that small actions (like stepping on a crack) can have big consequences. Stairs with cracks? Double trouble.
Avoid the 13th step: In some places, the 13th step on a staircase is considered unlucky, just like the 13th floor in buildings. It’s all part of that whole fear of the number 13 (triskaidekaphobia, if you want to get fancy).
Stairs as ghost highways: In some traditions, stairs are thought to be a hotspot for spirits or ghosts. In Japanese folklore, where there are stories about haunted staircases that magically change the number of steps, leading people into some seriously creepy alternate dimensions.
Don’t whistle or sing on stairs: In Russia, whistling or singing while on a staircase is a big no-no. Apparently, it can attract evil spirits or even ruin your finances. So, save your shower vocals for, well, the shower.
Why Do We Even Believe This?
Superstitions like these stick around because they tap into some pretty universal fears—fear of the unknown, fear of messing things up, and, of course, fear of bad luck. Stairs, with their whole “transitional space” vibe, are the perfect setting for these kinds of beliefs. They’re also a way to add a little order (and caution) to everyday life.
Sure, a lot of these beliefs might seem totally irrational now, but they’re also kind of fascinating. They show how people across cultures have tried to make sense of the world and feel like they have some control over it. Whether it’s avoiding the 13th step or waiting politely to cross paths on a staircase, these superstitions remind us that even the most ordinary things can have layers of meaning.
What more is here to say..next time you’re on a staircase, take a second to appreciate how weirdly symbolic it is. And if you happen to cross paths with someone, maybe just wait a beat—you know, just in case. Better safe than cursed, right?
