Back to blog
Arguably the most famous Michigan lore is tied to the large brass “M” located in the center of the Diag.
The “Diag”
The “Diag” is a large open space in the middle of Michigan’s Central Campus. Originally called the “Diagonal Green,” the Diag gets its name from the many sidewalks running near or through it in diagonal directions. As one of the busiest places on campus, it is host to a variety of events, picnics, fundraisers, concerts, and a lot of other social gatherings!
Right at the center of all these sidewalks and diagonal paths is a brass Block M, rightfully named the “M on the Diag”.
Legend and Tradition
Legend has it that if you step on the “M” before you take your first blue book exam, you will go on to fail it. (Blue books are essentially little empty notebooks used for long written tests). The lore around it has made it a well-respected and powerful symbol at Michigan.
Thankfully, there is a way to reverse the curse should you ever accidentally step on it! All you need to do is streak naked from the “M” to the pumas in front of the natural history museum and back before the Burton Memorial Clock Tower’s last chimes at midnight. Easy enough, right?
Sadly, for those unlucky few who do step on the “M” now, the clock tower no longer chimes after 9pm. So, whether you believe it or not, better safe than sorry!
