Superstitions arise from Fears of the Unknown and the need for some sort of explanation, to Soothe the Soul. Their individual Histories cover the gauntlet from Ancient to more Modern . . .
Most modern superstitions are rooted in Medieval European Catholicism. Where traditional/pagan rituals or methodology clashed with the churches teachings, the church would try to discredit the old ways, often by association with the Devil or Devil worship. As the church relaxed its ways, and in some cases redefined its own reachings, the shadow of these old ideologies continued as superstitiion.