The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

U.S. SOLDIERS' SUPERSTITION

AMONG AMERICAN SOLDIERS STATIONED IN SOUTH VIETNAM, IT WAS CONSIDERED
GOOD LUCK TO BREAK A MIRROR.

Submitter comment: THE RATIONALE WAS THAT SINCE BREAKING A MIRROR NORMALLY BRINGS
SEVEN YEAR'S BAD LUCK, AND SINCE A TOUR OF DUTY LASTS ONLY ONE
YEAR, THE SOLDIER WOULD HAVE TO LIVE THROUGH HIS TOUR OF DUTY IN
ORDER TO SUFFER THE REMAINING SIX YEARS OF BAD LUCK. IN VIETNAM
LIVING WAS CONSIDERED LUCKY.

Where learned: SOUTH VIETNAM

Date learned: 00-00-1968