Kevin (Ze) Hong at Psyche:
Over time, as knowledgeable elders pass away, the original rationale for a taboo might be entirely forgotten. In such cases, the origins of a rule might be recoverable only through inference or imaginative reconstruction. Similarly, many widely recognised superstitions, such as those involving black cats, have historical roots that are scarcely remembered today. In medieval Europe, black cats were associated with witches and seen as omens of evil. Today, the belief that crossing a black cat’s path brings bad luck persists as a cultural remnant, entirely disconnected from its original association with witch trials.
This pattern extends beyond food taboos or traditional societies. In the modern Western world, many people avoid opening an umbrella indoors or spilling salt, fearing bad luck. While such superstitions may seem harmless, they suggest the same underlying impulse: a deeply ingrained need to attribute misfortune to specific actions, even when no rational connection exists.
More here.
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