What Is Circus Superstitions

Superstitions have held a place in show biz for ages it seems. Along with broken mirrors and walking under ladders, there are myths that have been tailored just for the theatre. However, the notions I have gathered aren 't just from any show, but the greatest one on Earth. Now, of the twenty-plus circus superstitions collected, I only found about half that related their origins. I present them here.

10. Elephant hair is lucky *

For good luck, performers would keep the hair from the tail of an elephant on their person. (Usually in their pocket.)

Since an elephant only has the one tuft of hair on their body it is considered a rare item, hence lucky. It can also be said that simply being able to obtain the hair and live to the tell the

Never whistle backstage *

This is a general theatre superstition; whistling backstage is a big no-no!

Way back when, many of the ring boys were old sea hands, and since headsets weren 't a thing yet, whistling was the ideal way of communicating. If someone were to whistle off-cue it could be confusing producing terrible consequences and someone will likely be fired.

One may not be safe to whistle in a dressing room either; It is considered unlucky, for someone may miss a music cue. Or in this case with Jim Ragona, a ringmaster of the Ring-ling Bros, and Barnum & Bailey Blue Show, was told it was bad luck to do so, but he did it anyway; only subconciously. However, his roommate wouldn 't have it- he 'd become so angered because his concentration would be disturbed. "I guess you can call that bad luck." said Ragona.

8. If a bird gets trapped under a canvas someone will die. *

Adapted from 'a bird in the house ', this belief derived from the ancient Greeks where birds were thought to be departed souls who come back and guide those fated to pass

This brings the bad fortune of the past with you.

4. Always enter the ring right foot first. *

This is likely because centuries ago it was believed that 'the left ' corresponded with evil in some way. (The circus is over two-thousand years old after all!)

However, according to Circus Smirkus, it can be imperative to have this continuity from show to show; with performers having their own routines and every show being different and all.

3. Never move a wardrobe trunk once it has been set down. *

Moving it means the performer or the whole circus will leave. (I heard that the clowns from Ringling 's are very mindful of this.)

There is another idea to this and that is, a long time ago, some performers would own camel-back trunks which did not quite stack well. So the roughies would take any chance they got to leave those trunks behind.

(That may explain this bonus circus superstition that one should not own a camel-back trunk.)

2. Never sit with your back to the ring. *

The circus ring is something seen as very sacred to the performers so this seems more like a gesture of respect rather than evading a bad omen. Although, I do suppose it could bring about adversity if something so honored were to be so easily