Every year, Friday the 13th attracts attention from people all around the world who associate certain dates with misfortune. In Paraguay, however, the superstition meets a different collection of local beliefs. While international culture popularises Friday as an unlucky day, Paraguayans traditionally associate bad luck with Tuesday. Nevertheless, local customs offer plenty of examples of how people seek fortune and avoid misfortune.
Paraguay’s relation with superstition
In Paraguay, popular beliefs often pass from grandparents to younger generations through everyday conversations. Some people follow these customs seriously, while others observe them for entertainment. According to Paraguayan folklore, certain animals, objects and ordinary situations can announce good fortune or misfortune.
One familiar example involves the saying “Martes 13, ni te cases ni te embarques” (Tuesday the 13th, neither marry nor travel). The expression warns against weddings, journeys and important decisions on that date. Although Friday receives greater international attention, Tuesday remains the traditional unlucky day across Paraguay and other Hispanic countries.
Everyday beliefs that bring good or bad luck
Beyond unlucky dates, Paraguay has several superstitions connected with ordinary household activities. For example, some people avoid passing salt directly between individuals at the table. Instead, they place the container down for another person to collect. Others believe spilling salt brings misfortune or signals an unwanted visitor.
Animals also play an interesting role in local popular beliefs. According to traditional interpretations, hearing a pitogue sing can announce a pregnancy. Meanwhile, some people associate a dog’s prolonged howling with an approaching death. These beliefs illustrate how folklore connects everyday observations with explanations about future events.
Other customs focus on attracting prosperity rather than avoiding danger. Some people keep a cabure’i feather inside their wallets to attract financial fortune. Others believe finding a four-leaf clover brings good luck. Although these practices lack scientific evidence, they remain part of Paraguay’s documented collection of popular beliefs.
Rituals for attracting prosperity in Paraguay
Some Paraguayan traditions follow particular dates rather than everyday situations. On 1 August, many people drink carrulim, a traditional mixture containing caña, rue and lemon. The custom aims to protect against bad luck and negative energies during the month. People commonly describe the tradition through the expression “agosto, vaka piru ha tuja rerahaha” (August, the skinny cow and the old man’s taker).
Another important date arrives on 1 October, when families prepare jopara. This traditional dish combines beans and corn, often with vegetables and meat. According to popular belief, eating jopara helps protect households against scarcity. The tradition connects food, folklore and the hope for prosperity throughout the coming months.
How international culture influences local beliefs
Although Paraguay traditionally associates misfortune with Tuesday, international entertainment keeps Friday’s reputation familiar. Films, television programmes and social media introduce audiences to different interpretations of unlucky dates. The American horror franchise Friday the 13th, which debuted in 1980, helped establish the date’s frightening image. Its fictional killer, Jason Voorhees, became a recognisable figure in horror cinema.
Consequently, Paraguayans can recognise the international superstition without necessarily following its traditions. Some people might avoid making important decisions on an unlucky date. Others simply enjoy watching horror films or sharing jokes about the calendar. The date therefore offers an opportunity to explore how cultural influences shape local attitudes.
A superstition without borders
Ultimately, Friday the 13th demonstrates how different societies develop their own explanations for misfortune. Paraguay’s traditions include familiar sayings, household customs and rituals connected with prosperity. While some beliefs come from international influences, others reflect generations of local folklore. Whether people follow these customs seriously or simply enjoy their stories, superstition remains an interesting part of everyday culture.
