Giving pins as a gift is believed to end a friendship.

The Peril of Pins: A Gift That Ends Friendships

Details

The superstition suggests that gifting pins or other sharp instruments—such as knives, scissors, or needles—can sever the bond between the giver and the recipient. The sharp edge or point symbolically ‘cuts’ the relationship or emotional connection. As a preventive workaround, some traditions advise that the recipient offer a coin in return, symbolically turning the gift into a transaction rather than a giveaway. This is believed to neutralize the bad luck and preserve the friendship. Pins, historically, were prized as small and practical items, especially before the industrial production of sewing supplies. Despite their utility, their pointed form lent itself to unfavorable symbolic associations.

Historical Context

In the 19th century, especially in Victorian England, superstitions often shaped social behavior and gifting customs. Items with sharp edges—such as pins—were considered symbolic of division and rupture. The act of giving such objects was thought to metaphysically ‘cut’ the bonds of friendship or love. These ideas were deeply tied to beliefs in sympathetic magic: the notion that symbols, actions, or forms had real-world influence. Pins, although useful, were viewed with suspicion as gifts, especially among close friends or couples. The tradition of offering a coin in return likely emerged as a cultural adaptation meant to alleviate social unease while still allowing gift exchange.

Modern Relevance

Although largely regarded as a superstition today, the belief that sharp objects are poor gifts still persists in some cultures and personal traditions. Gifts such as knives or scissors are often given with a small coin attached or returned to the giver as payment, particularly in parts of the UK, the U.S., and various Asian cultures. In some wedding or housewarming traditions, gifting sharp objects is avoided altogether to prevent perceived bad luck. On social media and etiquette forums, users sometimes reference this superstition when discussing gift-giving taboos, indicating its lingering influence in popular culture.

Sources

Opie, Iona and Tatem, Moira. A Dictionary of Superstitions. Oxford University Press, 1989.

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