Opening an umbrella indoors is a big no-no, even if you’re not superstitious. Here’s why.
Why Is It Bad Luck to Open an Umbrella Inside?
On a good day, I like to consider myself a logical person—rational even. Still, I refuse to walk under a ladder, step on a crack or pick up a tails-up coin. One time, I almost ended an Uber ride early because a black cat crossed the street ahead of us. And I certainly would never, ever open an umbrella indoors. But even I have to admit that last one might come in handy sometimes so I don’t get soaked, which makes me wonder: Why is it bad luck to open an umbrella inside, anyway?
“Opening an umbrella inside one’s house is, like most superstitions, an example of magical thinking,” says Phil Stevens, PhD, an associate professor of anthropology emeritus at the University of Buffalo, SUNY, and the author of Rethinking the Anthropology of Magic and Witchcraft. “The nature and duration of the potential consequences will vary across cultures; one can’t generalize.”
And it’s not just the fear factor that you have to worry about—there are some etiquette rules to consider as well. Reader’s Digest spoke with Stevens and etiquette expert Diane Gottsman, founder of the Protocol School of Texas, to uncover the origins and proper behavior surrounding this superstition, as well as a few ways to reverse accidental, umbrella-related bad luck. Read on, and you just might have sunnier days ahead.
Get Reader’s Digest’s Read Up newsletter for more etiquette, interesting facts, cleaning, travel, tech and humor all week long.
Is it bad luck to open an umbrella inside?
The answer to that question depends on your personal level of superstition, of course. If you’re the superstitious type, you may think so, but there’s no scientific evidence to back this up. And even true believers may not be able to pinpoint exactly what kind of misfortune befalls a person who breaks the umbrella rule. The feared list, however, includes everything from vague “difficult” times to damaged property, sleepless nights and even ghosts entering your home.
Where does this superstition about opening an umbrella inside come from?
“It’s logical to assume that this superstition began with the invention of the umbrella,” says Stevens. You may have guessed that, but what you might not realize is that umbrellas aren’t a modern invention—they may even date as far back as ancient civilizations. Here are some of the theories about the origin of the question “Why is it bad luck to open an umbrella inside?” for your next trivia night or simply your own edification.
It may have started with the Egyptians
The exact birthday of the umbrella is still a little shady, but the ancient Egyptians are clearly responsible for one early version of it, as recovered art depicts priests and royalty using umbrellas for shade as early as 1200 BC. These depictions have led to lots of speculation about the genesis of opening-an-umbrella-inside fears. One is that an open umbrella indoors and away from the sun would anger the sun deity, Ra; another posits that the peacock-feather parasols were meant to mimic the sky deity, Nut, and a person of non-nobility stepping under her shade was sacrilege.
In both of these cases, the theories point to the origin being rooted in religion rather than mysticism. “If the Egyptian sun god, Ra, was angered by this, that’s [considered] religious belief,” explains Stevens. “Gods look after human affairs and help people maintain their own customs.” And while all of these conjectures are largely unsubstantiated, it still might be wise to avoid antagonizing a sun deity because … you never know.
The Victorian era highlighted the dangers
Fast-forward to Victorian London, circa the mid-1800s, when modern umbrellas quite literally popped onto the scene. And we’re not talking the handy, fold-up, automatic gizmos we enjoy today—these early “brollys” were large and unwieldy, constructed with sturdy metal spokes, stiff spring triggers and steel-ribbed canopies that ejected at the command of a mechanism. In Panati’s Extraordinary Origins of Everyday Things, scientist Charles Panati writes, “A rigidly spoked umbrella, opening suddenly in a small room, could seriously injure an adult or child or shatter a frangible object. Thus, the superstition arose as a deterrent to opening umbrellas indoors.”
Gottsman adds: “They could very well be the source of Mom’s eternal worry that you might poke your eye out!”
Magical beliefs may have played a role
People across cultures often believe that things have an individual power, or essence, in them—and that essence can be transferred, through direct contact or proximity, according to Stevens. How does that affect this superstition? “When open, the umbrella is designed for use outside, in a storm. A storm is unpredictable, uncomfortable, potentially violent and destructive,” he explains. “The house is orderly, tranquil, peaceful. Opening an umbrella inside contaminates the house with the essence of the storm. ‘Bad luck’ is the result—a generic label that will refer to anything that goes wrong in the house or with its residents.”
Other ways umbrellas might bring bad luck
Cultural traditions can also play a role in umbrella etiquette. In the Chinese culture, it is said that you should never give an umbrella as a gift because the word itself is close to the Chinese word for “breaking up.” Bestowing one may signify that you think your relationship is fractured. So what should you do if it’s pouring outside and you don’t want your departing guest to get soaked? Offer to huddle with them under your umbrella while escorting them to their car, then take said umbrella right back with you.
Practically speaking, the Victorians might have made the strongest case for not opening an umbrella inside—and their logic still holds true today. “An umbrella can cause damage if it’s opened too close to another person, a piece of fragile art or other valuable item,” notes Gottsman. “And bringing a wet umbrella in and then reopening it on your way out the door can leave the floor wet and slippery, causing damage to property or person.” She recommends skirting the bad luck by asking your host if there’s someplace you can store the umbrella until you depart.
How to reverse bad luck after opening an umbrella indoors
If you subscribe to the superstition that opening an umbrella inside will have a negative impact on your life, you’ll be happy to know there are several options for undoing that bad luck. Here are a few to try, based on various magical-thinking beliefs across cultures:
- Replace the tainted umbrella, and start fresh with a new one.
- Celebrate National Open an Umbrella Indoors Day (March 13), which encourages conducting a science experiment of sorts: Open an umbrella inside, then document any negative things that may happen over the next few days. For some people, this provides reassurance that the superstition is baseless.
- Open an umbrella inside and chant positive affirmations to counterbalance any negative energy.
- Walk back the action, and commit the offense in reverse order—in effect, bringing the contamination back outside.
- Call upon your favorite deity for protection, essentially creating an exorcism through the power of God.
- Served an open paper parasol in your cocktail? Hope that the alcohol in your beverage kills any evil “spirits!”
Additional reporting by Hillary Quinn.
About the experts
|
Why trust us
Reader’s Digest has published hundreds of etiquette stories that help readers navigate communication in a changing world. We regularly cover topics such as the best messages to send for any occasion, polite habits that aren’t as polite as they seem, email and texting etiquette, business etiquette, tipping etiquette, travel etiquette and more. We’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experience where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.
Sources:
- Diane Gottsman, etiquette expert and owner of the Protocol School of Texas; email interview, August 2024
- Phil Stevens, PhD, associate professor of anthropology emeritus at the University of Buffalo, SUNY, and author of Rethinking the Anthropology of Magic and Witchcraft; email interview, August 2024
- Panati’s Extraordinary Origins of Everyday Things by Charles Panati
- Umbrellas and Their History by William Sangster
- Travel China Guide: “10 Things to be Avoided as Chinese New Year Gifts”
- Nationaldaycalendar.com: “National Open an Umbrella Indoors Day”
