The Encyclopedia of Curious Rituals and Superstitions
Ancient and Remarkable Traditions That Will Captivate Your Mind
Arie Kaplan’s bright, jargon-free volume of global folklore blends anthropology, pop culture, and a pinch of irreverence.
Asserting that superstition is a universal language, the book explores themes including birth, death, and romance in addition to numbers, animals, and everyday objects. There are notes about not walking under ladders and the meaning of spilled pepper; celebrity quirks and ancient burial rites are also covered. Throughout, the book unpacks how people across time and continents sought meaning or luck in rituals, omens, and oddball beliefs.
The prose is breezy and accessible. It includes anecdotes involving Taylor Swift’s lucky number thirteen and salt’s cameos in Star Wars and Supernatural. Such popular culture references keep the text playful without sacrificing substance.
With dry but warm humor, the book trades academic terms for side-eyes and sly asides and includes content warnings for potentially offensive observations. Its design is rich with vibrant imagery and visual flourishes. The end references are thorough, and the global breadth of the content makes the book perfect for those who love their trivia with a side of storytelling.
A delightful mix of education and entertainment, The Encyclopedia of Curious Rituals and Superstitions is a spirited salute to humanity’s quirks—proof that even our silliest beliefs have something to say.
Reviewed by
pine breaks
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