Walking under a ladder is believed to cause bad luck. No one really knows why, but at least three theories have been proposed. The most likely theory is that a ladder forms a triangle when placed against a wall. The triangle symbolizes the Holy Trinity., Every culture has its own variation of how walking under a ladder could bring bad luck and ruin lives. But where did this superstition originate and what’s the meaning behind it?, Explore the origins and meaning of the "walking under a ladder" superstition. Discover its history, cultural impact, and if it truly brings bad luck, Many of our most enduring superstitions —such as refraining from stepping under a ladder or avoiding spilling salt— date back centuries. Many have to do with religion, while others we have borrowed from ancient cultures’ traditions., Discover the proposed origins and evolution of the notorious superstition regarding bad luck when walking under a ladder, from religion to pyramid power to gallows symbolism., An ancient belief said that walking under a staircase would shorten the visit of the gods to Earth, those who, offended, would send terrible misfortunes. The first representations of the Crucifixion fed the idea that the ladder symbolized both God and Satan..