Superstitions and Beliefs Only Mexicans Understand
Each country has its own folklore and legends, things our parents or grandparents tell us, to ward away bad vibes or to scare us into being good little children. Some of these superstitions are universal (think “the evil eye”) and some are unique to a specific place. Here are a few Mexican customs, common beliefs and superstitions.
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1. You can’t make tamales when you’re angry – they won’t fluff up right
2. Chicken poop in your hair will make it stop falling out or help it to grow back
3. If a child passes under your legs in one direction, they have to pass through again in the opposite direction or they won’t grow to their full height
4. If a pollila negra (a large black moth) enters the house you have to sweep it out immediately or someone will die shortly after
5. Sidral Mundet will cure a stomach ache
6. An aloe plant with red strings tied to each of its leaves will safeguard your home from evil
7. To rid yourself of fear, eat a piece of sweet bread
8. Placing an image of San Antonio upside and asking him to help you, will allow you to find lost items. When you find them, you must place him rightside up again
9. If you ask something of the Virgen del Tepeyac and she answers your prayers you must climb the Cerro de Tepeyac on your knees
10. When you hear the sound of the sweet potato vendor you have to turn the pockets of your pants inside out because the sound of his whistle means money is coming your way
11. You can hang bags of water from the ceiling to make flies go away
12. You can place bottles full of water around trees or in gardens and dogs won’t pee there when they pass
13. If you sweep over your own feet you’re destined to marry a widow
14. The waters of Lake Tlacote having healing powers
15. An indigenous farmer, Juan Diego, met the Virgin of Guadalupe on a hillside in winter and she asked him to tell the local bishop to build a church there in her honor
16. Always add spices to your dish in the form of a cross
17. Whenever you cross in front of a church or altar you must cross yourself
18. If you take a child to swim in a river, you must place your hand on their head and yell their name three times or the river spirits will take the child from you
19. La Llorona was an indigenous woman whose rejection by her Spanish lover caused her to drown herself and their three children. You can still hear her cries at the river as she searches for her dead children
20. Small, sprite-like creatures called chaneque are the keepers of the forest in Mexico and if you aren’t careful they can steal your soul
21. Chupacabras, or the “goat sucker” are wild animals that hunt at night preying on livestock… but they might just come for you!
22. You mustn’t sweep your house at night, it brings bad luck
23. To draw someone to you, you need 4 eggs: break two in corners, and one more at the door of the person you want to attract. The last one put inside a white cup and place it under your bed
24. In rural communities women often bury their umbilical cords under a tree to help their child set down roots in the earth and in the community
25. Tepozteco is a favorite spot for UFOs and aliens
About the author
Lydia Carey is a freelance writer and translator based out of Mexico City. She has worked as an editor and writer for various publications including Mexico's English–language newspaper The News, Afar, The New Worlder, International Living and The Latin Kitchen among others. Lydia has been blogging and writing in Mexico for over a decade and lives a double life as a local tour guide in her adoptive hometown. You can find her on the street eating tacos or at her blog www.mexicocitystreets.com.
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