Most people walk up and down their staircases without ever giving them much thought, and I used to be one of them. I’ve lived in multi-story homes all my life, and while I certainly appreciated the elegance of some staircases—especially one particularly grand one—I never paused to study the little details.

Now I wish I had. We’ve since moved, and I recently stumbled upon something fascinating that has completely changed the way I look at staircases, especially those with wooden spindles or balusters. Apparently, in many older or traditionally built homes, you can sometimes find a single baluster turned upside-down. At first glance, this might seem like a simple mistake by a distracted carpenter or a construction error that somehow made it through final inspection. That’s what I would’ve thought too—until I learned that these upside-down balusters are not accidents at all. They’re actually intentional, and the reasons behind them are a mix of historical tradition, craftsmanship symbolism, and even spiritual superstition.

According to longtime builders and historians who study old architecture, the upside-down baluster serves a very specific and meaningful purpose. One popular belief is rooted in humility and religious respect: builders would purposely flip one baluster upside-down to acknowledge that only God can create something truly perfect. Everything made by human hands, no matter how skilled the craftsman, will have some imperfection. It’s a humble and almost poetic gesture, reminding us that humans are inherently flawed and should not strive for unattainable perfection. But then there’s another explanation that’s a little more eerie and steeped in superstition. In some cultures and communities, it was believed that if a staircase were constructed too perfectly—without any flaw—evil spirits, including the devil himself, could ascend it easily and make their way into the home.

By intentionally turning a single baluster upside-down, the builder would introduce a “flaw” that would disrupt the spiritual flow, thus preventing dark forces from climbing the stairs and possibly taking the soul of someone nearing the end of life. The upside-down baluster was, in essence, a protective charm woven into the very structure of the home. I found this all to be incredibly intriguing and even a little spooky. I immediately began to wonder about the staircases in the homes I’ve lived in. Our current place has stairs, but the design is quite narrow and enclosed—no visible balusters, just solid walls on either side. So there’s no way to check for this hidden symbol of imperfection or protection. That made me even more curious about the staircase in our old home. It had wide steps and a traditional railing, and now I desperately wish I had taken a closer look.

@ed_in_burgh a common feature in some Scottish homes is a single upside down baluster on the staircase. there are multiple theories as to why, some people say it is to ward off evil spirits, some say it’s in deference to God, and some people say it’s a secret code meant to signify support for Bonnie Prince Charlie centuries ago or Scottish independence today #expat #expatlife #cultureshock #expatinuk #scotland #edinburgh #devilsstaircase #superstition #pagan #jacobite #houseofstuart #scottishindependence #europeanhome #architecture ♬ Scottish Fiddle Jig – The Scottish Bagpipes Highland Pipes

Was there a lone upside-down baluster hiding in plain sight? I’ll probably never know, but it’s fun to think about. The idea that a builder, decades or even centuries ago, might have intentionally flipped a piece of wood as a quiet nod to faith, humility, or superstition adds a whole new layer of meaning to something we see every day. It’s a small, almost invisible detail, but once you know to look for it, you can’t unsee it. I’ve since looked at online photos of old staircases and spotted a few examples, and each time, it sends a little chill down my spine. It’s a reminder that homes are more than just walls and roofs—they’re filled with history, stories, and sometimes even secrets hidden in the woodwork. So next time you find yourself walking up or down a staircase, take a closer look at the balusters. You might just find that one is upside-down—and whether it’s there as a sign of humility or a guard against dark forces, it tells a quiet but powerful story about the people who built your home.