The Superstitious Cowboys of Yellowstone: The Mystery Behind the 'No Hats on the Bed' Rule

The Legend of the Yellowstone Cowboys

Yellowstone features many cowboy characters, many of whom are superstitious about placing their hats on their beds (and for good reason). The popular Paramount Network neo-Western drama series centers around the Duttons — a family of cowboys and cowgirls who own and run the biggest cattle ranch in Montana. In the show, the Duttons, which includes Kevin Costner as John Dutton III, Luke Grimes as Kayce Dutton, Kelly Reilly as Beth Dutton, Wes Bentley as Jamie Dutton, Cole Hauser as Rip Dutton, and more, encounter many problems and drama, within their own family and between them and their neighbors. But one of the things most of them agree on is the lore behind putting their hats on beds.

Kevin Costner as John Dutton looking weary in Yellowstone Season 5.

The cowboys in Yellowstone are not afraid of many things. But, as seen early in the first season of the Paramount Network television show, they are very particular about where they place their hats at the end of a long workday. When Jimmy Hurdstram started working at the Yellowstone Ranch, he quickly learned about the infamous superstition that he should never put his cowboy hat on the bed. They take this fear very seriously (except for Kayce, who doesn't believe in the superstition), and aside from the myth behind it, there is also another (gross) reason behind cowboys not wanting to place their hats on beds.

John Dutton and Summer standing in a field in Yellowstone season 5 episode 8

Cowboys Putting Hats On Beds Has A Connection To Head Lice. Aside from the obvious, 'it's bad luck to put your cowboy hat on a bed,' the characters in Yellowstone are wary of where they hang up their hats at the end of the day because of a legitimate health concern — lice. No one wants to get lice, including cowboys, who have to wear their hats for the majority of the day. Unfortunately, lice thrive on surfaces like hats, and they are easy to spread when placing hats on other well-used surfaces, like beds. As a result, the 'no cowboy hats on the bed' rule is applicable not only as a superstitious belief but also as a practical one about wanting to avoid spreading lice.

The Lore and Superstition Behind the Rule

As for the lore behind the superstition, American Cowboy cites that it originates from the fear of inviting bad luck into one's life. More specifically, placing a cowboy hat on the bed can bring on an argument, injury, or death. However, this superstition does not always apply exclusively to beds. Putting a cowboy hat brimside down on any surface is considered bad luck because it can result in all the good luck running out of the crown (and ruining the hat's shape).

The 'No Hats On the Bed' Rule Isn't Just About Cowboys

The superstition surrounding hats on beds does not exclusively apply to cowboys and their headwear. As a matter of fact, some are wary of putting any kind of hat on beds because they believe in the aforementioned bad luck. So, even though the characters in Yellowstone strongly enforce the 'no hats on the bed' rule, it goes further than just cowboys.