sex superstitions from around the world.
Sex may be natural, but for most of human history, it’s also been mysterious, dangerous, sacred, and, according to folklore, alarmingly easy to curse. From who you sleep with to when, where, and even what color underwear you’re wearing, cultures across the world have long believed that sex doesn’t just happen, it triggers things.
Long before science stepped in, superstition did the heavy lifting. Have sex on the wrong day? You’re doomed. Break the wrong object? Say goodbye to passion. Sweep the wrong feet? Enjoy eternal singledom.
These beliefs weren’t just meant to scare people. They were rules to follow, guides for proper behavior, and sometimes just entertaining stories to explain why love went wrong. Passed down through whispers and warnings from grandmothers, sex superstitions became a way for cultures to talk about things that were otherwise too taboo to discuss openly.
So whether you’re side-eyeing yellow flowers, guarding your mirrors, or reconsidering that Good Friday hookup, you’re participating in a tradition as old as intimacy itself. Below, we’ve gathered some of the strangest, funniest, and most enduring sex and love superstitions from around the world. Believe them or not, but maybe don’t test them all at once.
Have Sex on Good Friday and You’ll Get Stuck.
Good Friday is one of the holiest days on the Christian calendar. According to Filipino lore, anyone who dishonors the holiday by having sex will be “stuck” to their partner for at least 24 hours.
Averting Your Eyes While Toasting Brings Seven Years of Bad Sex.
Many Germans believe that if you do not make eye contact while clinking glasses, you will be cursed with seven years of bad sex. Next time you toast, make sure to look at your partner. Better safe than sorry.
Wearing Red Underwear on New Year’s Eve Brings Passion and Romance.
New Year’s traditions often focus on transformation and good luck, and in Filipino culture, wearing red underwear is thought to invite a year of fiery passion, love, and great sex.
Yellow Flowers Kill Romance.
In Russia, giving yellow flowers to a romantic partner is considered a warning rather than a gift. Yellow flowers are associated with betrayal and breakups, so it is best to stick to other colors.
Brooms Are Love Repellents.
In Italian folklore, letting a broom sweep over your feet means you will never get married.
Sleeping with Your Feet Facing the Door Kills Passion.
In Chinese feng shui, this position is called the coffin position. It is believed to drain sexual energy, weaken relationships, and invite bad luck into the bedroom. Definitely a mood killer.
Breaking a Mirror Brings Seven Years of Bad Sex.
While most people know breaking a mirror brings bad luck, in Italian and French folklore, it specifically affects romance. The curse is said to cause jealousy, infidelity, or sexual dissatisfaction for seven years.
Rain on a Wedding Night Means a Passionate Marriage.
In India and parts of the UK, rain on a wedding night is considered a good omen. It is believed to symbolize fertility, emotional bonding, and strong sexual chemistry.
