Why Is Opening an Umbrella Inside Bad Luck?

The modern superstition about opening an umbrella indoors most likely stems from the 19th century when umbrellas as we know them were invented by Samuel Fox. Although the design was similar to modern umbrellas, these early iterations were unwieldy and sometimes dangerous to handle. The frame of the umbrella relied on hard metal spokes that would spring open at the command of stiff spring triggers. So, this popular superstition may stem from warning people about the safety concerns of using an umbrella in the house.

There was no in-between when opening umbrellas: They were either tightly closed or sprung into action, often with such force that they could put out an eye. Anyone standing nearby was in danger of getting smacked by a rigidly spoked umbrella. And any frangible object like an heirloom vase? Easily toppled to the floor by deploying the spring mechanism inside. Because opening an umbrella indoors often resulted in negative consequences and harm, it's possible this superstition arose to encourage people to open their personal canopy outside.

Some even believe the origins date back further than the Victorian era. Ancient Egyptians are said to have believed the act of opening umbrellas indoors was disrespectful to the sun god. That's because the umbrellas in ancient Egypt were designed to protect people from the sun, not the rain, and the sun's natural rays weren't inside.

That's not the only umbrella superstition with roots in ancient Egyptian civilization. For instance, it was considered bad luck for non-royals to use umbrellas. Egyptian nobility were protected from the sun with umbrellas made of papyrus and peacock feathers.

Because the umbrellas were designed to mimic the goddess who formed the sky, their shade was considered sacred. Anyone who allowed the shade of a royal umbrella to fall upon them had to be royalty. Otherwise, they were believed to be a bearer of bad luck.

Another school of thought contends that opening an umbrella indoors will upset a home's good spirits. These unseen guardians, who are otherwise protective, will cause misfortune to rain upon your family if an umbrella is opened in their presence. Others believe in a more narrow version of the superstition where a person shouldn't open certain types of umbrellas indoors, including black umbrellas.

So, whatever theory you subscribe to, many people share the common belief that it's best to leave the umbrella for the outdoors. If you want to throw caution to the wind and think the superstition is an irrational belief, then you may want to circle March 13 on your calendar. That's National Open an Umbrella Indoors Day, a holiday created by Thomas Edward Knibb to prove the superstition wrong.