Today's superstition is a simple one: the idea that opening an umbrella inside will bring you, or everyone indoors, bad luck.
Where does this idea come from?
The furthest origin of this superstition can be found in Ancient Egypt. They didn't use umbrellas to protect them from the rain, but from the harsh rays of the sun. It was a very valuable possession, and naturally, only nobility had the privilege. In fact, to cross into the shadow of an umbrella, even by accident, was sacrilege if you weren't of noble birth!
Ancient Egyptians also thought umbrellas could ward off evil spirits, but when you used it inside, you were insulting the sun, which was a deity at the time.
Flash-forward to England, 1883. This is the first 'official' mention of the superstition. They thought holding an umbrella over your head while inside was a sign of death. In 1900, England, it was said that there would be a death in the house before the year was out, if you dared to open the doomed thing inside.
And who could blame them?
Umbrellas in those days were lethal objects indeed. They contained metal spokes that were very sharp, and a spring that caused it to open violently. Add to that the fact it was very big and clumsy, and spaces were small in most houses, and opening one would be very unlucky indeed!
Another theory says umbrellas can protect you from the "storms of life". If you open it inside, the spirits that protect your house would consider it an insult and would leave you unprotected as a result.
And ofcourse we all know what happens when you forget to bring one with you when you leave the house. That's right, it'll rain. Remember to take one, and not a drop will fall.
umbrella ever again!)