If you've been on Boston University's campus, there's no doubt that you've seen our school's large, black stone seal right in the middle of Marsh Plaza. However, if you observe that area more closely, you'll realize that the majority of students will avoid it by walking around.
Why, you may wonder?
The legend of the BU seal, of course.
their freshmen orientation leaders, or their fellow peers, that stepping on the sacred seal, even the smallest, tiniest, microscopic bit of it, will curse the stepper to not graduate in the four years they attend BU.
Is this another silly superstition? Of course it is.
Does anyone really believe in it? That's up for debate. Though Ashley D, a CAS sophomore, says she "doesn't want to upset the gods" by stepping on it. Regardless of whether the legend is true, many students will go out of their way to walk around the seal every day.
Like all great legends, no one really knows where it originated from. However, we do know that generations of BU students have abided by its rules. To this day, you can observe the plaza and see multitudes of students walking around, jumping away, and yelling at friends, "STOP! We can't touch it!" Students can be seen right on the edge of the seal literally leaping into safety.
Andrew Y, an ENG student, says he doesn’t believe in superstitions, but would never be willing to test it. Though he also mentioned that it could be BU's self-invented scheme "to prevent the students from stepping on it so they wouldn't need to invest in cleaning the seal as much as they have to."
Some students don't focus on the superstition too much, while others take it as a matter of pride or as a game. CAS sophomore Catherine P says that "it's a pride thing" and will "only step on the seal if someone dares her to."
Though not everyone takes it as seriously as others, this BU legend continues to carry on from class to class of students who fear the ruin of their academic careers at BU.
If you had yet to hear of this curse, watch where you walk from now on.
But if you're one of those who just don't believe it, then go ahead and take a step… if you dare.
