2. Killing a black moth will give you bad luck

Look, we know moths are basically edgy nocturnal butterflies, but there are a lot of people out there who just don’t like the furry fliers. Add a menacing black coating to the mix, and you’re looking at a lot of people who will gladly kill the fluttering moths.

If you’re one for superstitions, though, we’d recommend rethinking that swatting; turns out killing a black moth will actually give you bad luck. Although to be very honest, this sounds like a rumour started by the moth themselves.

3. Having a pigeon sh*t on you is a good thing

Yes, really. At least, if you’re superstitious.

There’s a certain unholy coincidence and irritating irony when this happens. Normally, it’s while you’re walking into Valletta wearing a full suit, probably already feeling hot and sweaty.

This sticky icing on the cake is enough to push even the calmest islander over the edge, but fret not; it turns out the sh*tty episode is actually a sign of good things to come. Good luck convincing people who come face-to-face with you and that new statement piece sitting on your shoulder though.

4. A woman on her period cannot work in a bakery or vineyard

As in, she can. But she’ll end up ruining the taste of the finished product. Just by literally being present. Cool.

Turns out there’s one thing that’s even more frustrating than implying a woman is having a bad day because she’s on her period… and it’s telling her to get out because she’s going to spoil the next batch of vino.

5. Putting a colourful eye on your boat will protect you from evil

One of Malta’s most beautiful traditions is also quite strange when you really think about it.

Believed to be a contemporary nod at Osiris (or Horus) – the Phoenician god of protection from evil – the eyes can be seen on the front of countless colourful luzzus all over the island.

From the southern fishing village of Marsaxlokk to the northern coastal area of St. Paul’s Bay, many a bright fishing boat has its own set of decorated eyes, making the traditional luzzu look like a hilarious – and very colourful – sea unicorn.

6. Walking under a ladder

This is one of the most common superstitions in the Western World, i.e that walking under a ladder brings you bad luck. While the origins of this myth vary according to who you ask, it’s arguably the most diligent one to follow, with ladder and scaffolding accidents being one of the most common work-related injuries in Malta.

Not walking under ladders or scaffolding might be quite the challenge in Malta’s near-concrete jungle, so keep your eyes peeled all year round.

7. Bonus: here are some really bad things that happened on Friday the 13th

If you’re still a sceptic of superstition, check out these historical events that happened on Friday the 13th.

i. September 13th 1940: The Germans bombed Buckingham Palace

ii. November 13th, 1970: More than 300,000 people were killed in a cyclone in Bangladesh

iii. September 13th 1996: One of the most influential rappers of all time, Tupac Shakur, was killed

iv. January 13th 2012: The Costa Concordia cruise ship crashed off the coast of Italy, killing 30 people

Whether you’re a believer or not, these superstitions are still something to savour on this supposedly spooky day. Happy Friday the 13th people!

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