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Home > Life > Why You Shouldn’t Celebrate Your 40th Birthday – Ancient Superstition or Wise Caution

Why You Shouldn’t Celebrate Your 40th Birthday – Ancient Superstition or Wise Caution

October 20, 2025 | Erik Seidel | | |
Why many avoid celebrating their 40th birthday – from biblical symbolism to psychology, health and tradition. Is it superstition or a wise pause?

40th birthday – between superstition, faith and self-reflection. In Germany, Poland, Czechia, Slovakia and other Central European regions, the 40th birthday holds a strange, almost mystical aura. Many still avoid big celebrations, believing that this age marks a critical turning point — a year of transition between youth and maturity. Some see it as a time of inner renewal; others still whisper that celebrating too loudly may “provoke fate.” As G.Business reports, this old tradition, deeply rooted in both religion and folk psychology, continues to shape how Europeans think about ageing, destiny and personal transformation.

The origin of the “40 taboo” – the power of a sacred number

The fear of the 40th birthday can be traced back to biblical and early Christian symbolism. The number 40 appears throughout scripture:

  • The Flood lasted forty days and nights;
  • The Israelites wandered for forty years in the desert;
  • Jesus Christ fasted for forty days before his ministry began.

In all these examples, forty represents testing, purification and renewal — the closing of one chapter and the beginning of another. For centuries, people have associated the number with deep spiritual change.

Over time, however, this symbolic “period of transformation” became misunderstood as a dangerous or unlucky stage. In Slavic and German folklore, the 40th year came to symbolise a fragile bridge between youth and old age — a threshold one should cross quietly and respectfully, without tempting fate through celebration.

Traditions and taboos across Europe

While modern Germans often see the belief as outdated, traces of it remain in various regional customs:

  • In Poland and Czechia, people sometimes celebrate “thirty-nine plus one” to avoid saying “forty.”
  • In Slovakia and Serbia, the party is postponed until the 41st birthday.
  • In Bavaria and Saxony, older generations still repeat the saying: “Das 40. Jahr feiert man nicht laut” – the 40th year should not be celebrated loudly.
  • Cakes decorated with the number 40 or gifts in sets of forty are traditionally avoided.

This fear of “tempting fate” often combines Christian values with pre-Christian folk beliefs, blending religion, ritual, and psychology into a cultural phenomenon that still lives on.

Turning forty – a spiritual and psychological threshold

Historically, people treated the 40th birthday as a moment of spiritual purification rather than a party. Instead of throwing large gatherings, they went to church, prayed, helped others, or reflected on their lives. The next year, their 41st, symbolised rebirth and renewal.

Modern psychology sees similar meaning in this transition. Around forty, people often face a midlife re-evaluation — a period when they measure achievements against expectations, leading to inner restlessness or growth.

Psychologists identify common feelings:

  • Awareness that youth is ending and priorities are changing;
  • Fear of ageing or losing attractiveness;
  • A desire to find deeper meaning and redefine purpose.

Instead of fearing these changes, experts recommend embracing the 40th year as a mental reset button.

Practical ways to mark the milestone wisely:

  • Spend the day in nature or travel somewhere meaningful.
  • Write a “future list” for the next ten years.
  • Donate or volunteer instead of hosting a large party.
  • Surround yourself with supportive and positive people.

This reframing turns a superstition into a mindful celebration of maturity.

The religious view – gratitude over fear

In Germany, the Catholic and Protestant Churches do not recognise any prohibition on celebrating the 40th birthday. Priests and theologians explain that forty is a sacred number of growth and cleansing, not bad luck.

According to the clergy:

  • Celebrating life is an act of gratitude, not arrogance.
  • The number 40 symbolises strength, maturity and transformation.
  • The meaning of the day lies in gratitude, prayer and kindness, not in avoiding joy.

Thus, from a spiritual perspective, the belief that the 40th birthday should be avoided has no basis in faith — only in folklore.

Why the belief persists – a social psychology view

Even in educated societies, many people quietly avoid celebrating their 40th “just in case.” Social psychologists in Germany explain that cultural memory and belonging play a key role. People maintain traditions not because they truly believe in them, but because shared rituals create emotional safety and identity. The number 40 triggers universal emotions: change, ageing, and uncertainty — all deeply human experiences. Superstitions simply give shape to those invisible fears.

A modern shift – from fear to self-care

In the last decade, attitudes have begun to change dramatically. For many in Germany and across Central Europe, the “unlucky forty” is now seen as a symbol of reflection, not restriction. Education, mindfulness, and mental health awareness have transformed the taboo into an opportunity for self-acceptance and wellness. Instead of fearing ageing, people are learning to use it as a motivation to take care of their mind and body.

The medical view – what happens at 40

Doctors confirm that the age of forty marks a biological shift: metabolism slows, hormone levels begin to change, and preventive care becomes more important. But these are natural, not dangerous, processes.

Doctors’ key advice for those turning forty:

  • Schedule annual health check-ups and screenings.
  • Monitor cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar.
  • Maintain a balanced diet and exercise regularly.
  • Manage stress and prioritise mental health.
  • Avoid fear — focus on lifestyle improvement instead.

In this sense, the 40th birthday is not a curse but a health reminder — a call to reset habits and build resilience.

From superstition to self-awareness

The belief that one should not celebrate the 40th birthday is less about fate and more about psychology. It reflects our human need for meaning during life transitions. In Germany, Poland and neighbouring countries, the old superstition is quietly fading. What remains is its deeper message: the recognition that every life phase deserves reflection. As G/Business concludes, turning forty is not the end of youth — it is the beginning of wisdom.

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