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Ballerinas glide across the stage with ethereal precision, but beneath the poise lies a world of quirky superstitions. From lucky charms to pre-show rituals, these traditions aren\u2019t just whimsy\u2014they\u2019re a psychological lifeline in a high-stakes art form. Here\u2019s a peek into the superstitions ballerinas swear by and the science that might explain their power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Superstitions in ballet are as old as the art itself. One classic? Never wish a dancer \u201cgood luck\u201d\u2014it\u2019s bad juju. Instead, \u201cmerde\u201d (French for, well, manure) is the go-to phrase, borrowed from 19th-century Paris when horse-drawn carriages left streets messy outside theaters. A full house meant more \u201cmerde,\u201d signaling success. Today, ballerinas whisper it backstage to dodge the jinx.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Many ballerinas cling to talismans. A 2023 survey by Dance Magazine<\/em> found 68% of professional dancers carry a lucky item\u2014think a worn-out ribbon, a tiny charm sewn into a tutu, or even a specific pair of pointe shoes saved for big shows. American Ballet Theatre\u2019s Isabella Boylston admits to wearing the same mismatched socks for every premiere, claiming they \u201clock in the vibe.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Costume rituals abound, too. Some refuse to mend a ripped hem before a debut, believing it absorbs good energy. Others insist on tying their pointe shoe ribbons in a precise order\u2014left, then right\u2014to keep chaos at bay. \u201cIt\u2019s my anchor,\u201d says Royal Ballet\u2019s Francesca Hayward. \u201cOne slip, and I\u2019m off all night.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n