18 Texas Superstitions
Find a penny, pick it up. Don’t point at gravestones. Never wear your Cowboys jersey on game day. Always wear your Cowboys jersey on game day. And never, ever say the word “alligator” to a Gulf Coast fisherman.
American superstitions are especially prevalent in the South, but nowhere are they so enthusiastically accepted as in Texas. Surveys have shown that nearly 3 out of 4 Texans are superstitious, or at least a little ’stitious. Knocking on wood, crossing your fingers, and hunting for four-leaf clovers are not only shameless activities here but true nuggets of wisdom.
Texas is rich in its own unique superstitions, sayings, and folk beliefs; depending on where you go, they might even contradict each other. So sure, the credibility of these beliefs is dubious, but do you really want to push your luck?
Hang a horseshoe with the prongs pointing up, or the good luck will run out.
All the largest, most famous ranches in Texas hang onto this advice. It’s part of why they’re so successful.
Drink from the San Saba River, and you’ll be thirsty until you come back and drink from it again.
This legend is especially popular in the small Hill Country town of Menard, which is split down the center by the San Saba. The belief dates back at least to the days of the Comanche and Apache tribes, who, though bitter enemies, warned one another of the magical properties of this scenic waterway.
Stick a hatchet in the ground to stop a storm.
The idea here is that sticking an axe in the ground will “split” the storm clouds and possibly even prevent tornadoes.
Never say the word “alligator” around Texas Coastal fishermen.
That rule applies when you’re on a boat or land. The word doesn’t necessarily summon a gator, but it does invite bad luck.
Never point at a gravestone.
Especially common in East Texas, this bit of advice is meant to keep your finger from rotting and falling off. Plus, pointing is rude.
If you see a blue light at night, follow it and start digging: There’s treasure buried under it.
Unless you’re in Marfa, in which case, that light might be a ghost.
Never kill a horned lizard or your milk cow will go dry.
Even if you’re not a dairy farmer, don’t kill or even try to catch a horned lizard. It’s illegal in Texas.
A roadrunner crossing your path is good luck.
Blink and you’ll miss it. The Greater Roadrunner has been a sacred symbol of fortune and protection since indigenous tribes inhabited the region that is now Texas.
“Find a penny, pick it up. All day long, you’ll have good luck.”
That’s especially true if it’s laying heads up.
Never bring a black suitcase onto a fishing boat.
This is the ultimate taboo for fishermen on the Texas Gulf. In the mid-20th century, it wasn’t uncommon for fishermen to be fired on the spot for carrying such cultural contraband on board. As one captain said, “Bring the devil on my boat, but don’t bring a black suitcase.”
Eat black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day.
Pervasive throughout the South, this tradition holds that starting a new year with a breakfast of black-eyed peas will usher in wealth, health, and good luck.
A buzzard’s shadow passing over your head is good luck today — or bad luck tomorrow.
You’ll hear two conflicting superstitions about vulture shadows in Texas. Let them swoop you at your own peril.
Spiders are good luck.
Don’t squish spiders in your house or you might be courting misfortune. Some Texans even reckon it’s good luck to let daddy longlegs crawl on you. Good luck with that.
The best good luck charm is the left hind foot of a white rabbit caught by a cross-eyed, red-headed boy at midnight in a churchyard.
You might already need to have a good luck charm to ever have a chance of meeting these ludicrous specifications.
If you see cattle scattered across the fields while you’re fishing, the fish will bite.
But if the cows are lying down and hiding in the windbreaks, you might as well head back to the shore.
Big Luck On Campus
Superstitions that might just save your GPA.
Rub Shasta’s paw at the University of Houston the week of homecoming for good luck.
The bronze statue outside the Coogs’ football stadium, that is. Touching the real cougar in the zoo is probably bad luck.
Place pennies at the foot of the Sul Ross statue at Texas A&M for good luck on your test.
Aggies believe it’s a penny for Sully’s thoughts, and his thoughts can come in handy during finals week.
If you see an albino squirrel at the University of Texas on exam day, you’ll ace it.
Some Longhorn students swear they’ve aced tests even without studying, all thanks to that elusive white rodent.
Believe It to Win It
Go all-in on game-day rituals.
Among all 153 franchises across all five major pro sports leagues in North America, the Dallas Cowboys’ fan base ranks as the most superstitious (tied only with the Los Angeles Lakers), per a 2023 survey. Good-luck rituals among the Dallas faithful range from relatable (wearing your jersey on game day) to wacky (never washing your jersey) to outright farcical (changing the backlight on your TV to blue or white to match the players’ jersey). Every Cowboys fan’s personal superstition has evolved over the years, all in the name of bringing home a win for America’s Team.
Meanwhile, the Houston Texans have never won a Super Bowl, and it might be because their fans are only ranked 12th most superstitious in the NFL. As a matter of fact, 31% of Texans fans believe that not performing their game-day ritual has directly caused a Texans loss — higher than any other NFL organization’s fan base. Which is to say, if Houston wants a chance at a ring, their fans had better have more faith in themselves.
These superstitions aren’t the only unique customs Texans take part in. Check out these seven unusual Texas college traditions.
