Abraham Lincoln is known as one of America’s greatest presidents. But did you know he was also quite superstitious? Growing up on the frontier in the early 1800s, Lincoln was surrounded by folk beliefs and superstitions that shaped his worldview. Let’s explore some of the curious superstitions that were part of Lincoln’s life and how they may have influenced him.
A Superstitious Upbringing
Lincoln was born in 1809 in a log cabin on the Kentucky frontier. Life was hard, and people clung to superstitious beliefs to try to make sense of their world. As a boy, Lincoln was immersed in these folk traditions.
Signs and Omens
The people around young Abe believed in all sorts of signs and omens:
- A bird flying into a window meant death was coming
- A dog howling at certain times was a bad omen
- Breaking a mirror would bring 7 years of bad luck
- Carrying a hoe or ax into a house could cause a death in the family
These beliefs were taken very seriously. People planned their lives around avoiding bad luck and attracting good fortune.
Moon Superstitions
The phases of the moon were thought to affect everything from farming to health:
- Crops that grew underground had to be planted during a new moon
- Above-ground crops were planted during a full moon
- Fences built when there was no moon would fall down
- The moon’s position could influence a person’s health and mood
Lincoln would have grown up hearing these moon-related superstitions from the adults around him.
Lincoln’s Personal Superstitions
As an adult, Lincoln shed many of the backwoods superstitions of his youth. But some stuck with him throughout his life.
Dreams and Premonitions
Lincoln put a lot of stock in dreams and premonitions. He believed they could foretell the future. A few days before his assassination, Lincoln had a dream about a funeral at the White House. He took this as a sign of his impending death.
Lucky Numbers and Objects
Like many people of his time, Lincoln believed in lucky and unlucky numbers. He avoided groups of 13 people. As president, he refused to be part of a dinner party of 13 guests.
Lincoln also kept lucky objects. During his presidency, he carried a lucky rabbit’s foot and other small charms in his pockets.
Knocking on Wood
The common superstition of knocking on wood to avoid bad luck was one that Lincoln practiced regularly. If he mentioned something positive, he would often rap his knuckles on a wooden surface right after.
How Superstitions Influenced Lincoln
While Lincoln was known for his logical mind, his superstitious side influenced him in several ways:
Decision-Making
Lincoln sometimes relied on signs and omens when making important decisions. During the Civil War, he would look for favorable omens before major battles. A good sign might make him more confident in his strategy.
Emotional Comfort
In times of stress, Lincoln’s superstitions provided emotional comfort. Carrying lucky charms or avoiding “unlucky” situations gave him a sense of control in uncertain times.
Connecting with Common People
Lincoln’s folksy superstitions helped him connect with ordinary Americans. It made him seem more relatable, despite his high office. He could swap stories about omens and folk beliefs with people from all walks of life.
A Man of His Time
It’s easy to laugh at some of Lincoln’s superstitions today. But we have to remember that he was very much a product of his time and place. The frontier world Lincoln grew up in was filled with mystery and danger. Folk beliefs and superstitions were a way for people to try to make sense of it all.
Even as he rose to become a great statesman, Lincoln never fully shook the superstitious mindset of his youth. His law partner William Herndon said Lincoln’s superstitious views “ran through his being like a bluish red vein runs through the whitest marble.”
Balancing Superstition and Reason
What’s remarkable about Lincoln is how he balanced his superstitious side with his logical, reasoning mind. He was able to embrace scientific and technological progress while still holding onto some of the folk beliefs of his childhood.
This ability to straddle both worlds – the old frontier and the modern era – was part of what made Lincoln such an effective leader. He could speak the language of educated city dwellers and superstitious country folk alike.
Conclusion
Abraham Lincoln’s superstitions offer us a fascinating glimpse into the mindset of 19th century America. They remind us that even our greatest leaders are shaped by the beliefs and traditions they grow up with.
Lincoln’s ability to balance folk wisdom with modern thinking made him uniquely suited to lead a divided nation. His superstitions humanize him and help us see him as a man of his time – not just a marble statue or face on a coin.
So the next time you avoid walking under a ladder or knock on wood for luck, remember – you’re carrying on a tradition practiced by one of America’s most beloved presidents!
