Superstitions about religious books

Some people avoid putting a hat on a bed, others knock on wood, and some won’t step on a crack for fear of breaking their mother’s back. But when it comes to religious books—the Bible, the Torah, and the Quran—superstitions take on a whole new level of reverence.

The "Falling Book" Omen

A common belief across different cultures is that if a religious book falls to the ground, it’s a bad sign. Some say it means an argument is coming, others believe it signals a loss of faith in the household. In Jewish tradition, if a Torah book falls, it’s customary to pick it up and kiss it. In Islamic tradition, dropping the Quran requires immediate repentance and sometimes even a ritual of washing the book before putting it back in its place. In Christianity, while there’s no strict rule, an old superstition warns that dropping the Bible may invite misfortune—though no one specifies what kind. (It’s always the vague ones that scare people the most.)

Opening the Book at Random: Divine Guidance or Just a Lucky Guess?

Many people, when faced with a difficult decision, will flip open their religious book at random, point to a passage, and take it as an answer. This practice has been around for centuries and is known in Christianity as bibliomancy. In Jewish tradition, some turn to the Chumash (the printed Torah) for guidance in a similar way. In Islam, believers may seek wisdom by randomly opening the Quran, though scholars debate whether this is a proper way to seek divine advice. But here’s the question—if your finger lands on something terrifying, do you ignore it and try again? Asking for a friend.

Never Place a Religious Book on the Floor (Or Under Other Books!)

This one is serious business. Across all three Abrahamic religions, it’s considered disrespectful to put a sacred book on the ground. Jewish and Islamic traditions are especially strict about this, with some saying that even placing a book under another non-religious book is inappropriate. There’s a reason for those towering stacks of books on religious scholars' desks—heaven forbid the Torah or Quran ends up beneath a cookbook.

Writing in a Holy Book: A Big No-No?

Some believe writing in a religious book brings bad luck or even divine punishment. In Judaism, a Torah scroll is so sacred that if even a single letter is written incorrectly, the entire scroll is deemed invalid. In Christianity, people are a bit more relaxed—many highlight verses, jot down notes, and some even use their Bibles as personal journals. In Islam, marking up the Quran is widely discouraged, and tearing or damaging it is a serious offense. So if you ever borrow a religious book, it’s best to resist the urge to doodle.

The "Unopened Book" Belief

There’s a superstition that if a religious book sits on a shelf collecting dust, it invites misfortune into the house. Some say it’s because divine wisdom is being ignored, while others believe it attracts negative energy. So if you’ve got a holy book, better give it some attention—flip through a few pages now and then, if only to keep the spirits (and your conscience) at ease.

Historical Oddities: When Books Were Treated as Magical Objects

In medieval times, religious books weren’t just for reading—they were believed to have actual protective powers. People placed Bibles under their pillows to ward off bad dreams, carried mini Torah scrolls as amulets, and even used Quranic verses for protection against illness. Some knights in the Middle Ages sewed scripture into their armor, hoping divine words would shield them better than steel. (Spoiler: It didn’t always work.)

Conclusion? Maybe Just Handle the Books With Care

Whether you’re religious or not, one thing is clear—people take their holy books seriously. Whether these superstitions hold any truth is up for debate, but if history has taught us anything, it’s that treating a sacred book with respect has never hurt anyone. And if nothing else, at least you won’t have to worry about a mysteriously falling book predicting doom. Or will you?