November 17 is an important day for black cats in Italy. An animal rights group has named that day as"Black Cat Day"to stop the killing of thousands of the cats. Why do people hate this animal so much? It is because people believe black cats bring bad luck if you see them walking across your path.
The black cat is just one of the symbols of superstition(迷信). You may already know that Western people don't like the number 13. Besides knocking over a salt bottle, they also believe that walking under a ladder, opening an umbrella indoors and breaking a mirror can also bring bad luck.
According to Andrew Macaskill, who works for Teens, British people believe it is unlucky to see one magpie(喜鹊). But two bring good luck. "In Britain，people like to have a horseshoe over door. They believe it can bring good luck." Macaskill said," But the horseshoe needs to be the right way up, The luck runs out if it is upside down."
In the US, people usually spit on a new baseball bat before using it for the first time. They think this can bring good luck. Also, it is believed that good spirits live in trees. So by knocking on anything made from wood，people can call upon those spirits for protection against misfortune. People in the US also believe there are devils in brooms(扫帚). So don't lean a broom against a bed. The evil spirits will cast a spell on the bed.
