Throughout history, people from every culture have sought to improve their chances in life by carrying items believed to attract good fortune. Such items, often having their origins in traditional folklore, blend aspects of legend, religion, and superstition. Here, we’ve compiled 17 of the most popular good luck charms still treasured worldwide.
Rabbit’s Foot
Carrying a rabbit’s foot as a good-luck talisman has its roots in African-American folklore, with rabbits being associated with intelligence and strong reproductive capabilities! These ‘lucky’ traits were believed to transfer to the holder of a rabbit’s foot, prompting the common practice that has since spread all over the world.
Four-Leaf Clover
The four-leaf clover is the quintessential symbol of good luck in Western cultures. Fortune & Frame says they originated in Ireland and are a symbol of St. Patrick’s Day. Legend has it that the four leaves represent hope, faith, love, and luck. Because almost all clovers have three leaves, finding a four-leaf specimen is considered particularly fortunate.
Lucky Pennies
The old rhyme, “Find a penny, pick it up, and all day long you’ll have good luck,” may be responsible for the habit of keeping a ‘found’ penny as a good-luck charm, especially if discovered facing ‘heads up.’ The practice was probably encouraged by a general belief that metals of all types ward off evil spirits.
Maneki-Neko
Maneki-Neko means “beckoning cat” in Japanese and describes a ceramic cat-shaped good-luck ornament. Invaluable states, “If the left paw is raised, it’s believed that the cat will attract customers and bring good business to shop owners. If the right paw is raised, it’s believed to attract money and prosperity, making it the more common Maneki Neko style.”
Horseshoes
Liveabout writes, “Horseshoes are one of the oldest lucky superstitions, with various legends from different cultures attributing lucky powers to them.” Apparently, the blacksmith Saint Dunstan refused to remove one from the Devil’s foot until he promised never to enter a home with a horseshoe on the door. Today, they’re still hung, pointing upward to ‘hold’ the good luck.
Evil Eye
Typically denoted as blue and white circles with a central black spot, the evil eye is a symbol thought to protect against malicious glares and evil spirits that bring misfortune, according to National Geographic. It originated in the Middle East and Mediterranean and was spread by Greek and Roman travelers. Nowadays, it’s still used in keyrings, jewelry, and home decoration.
Acorns
In Norse mythology, oak trees are sacred to Thor, the god of thunder. Acorns symbolize protection and strength, and keeping one is believed to protect from lightning strikes and promote long life and vitality. Today, acorn motifs are featured in home décor and jewelry as symbols of endurance and good fortune.
Lucky Bamboo
Lucky bamboo is not actually bamboo but a type of Dracaena plant. Housing.com says that, in Chinese culture, they’re thought to bring good luck and fortune, especially if received as a gift and kept in the ‘proper’ position. The number of stalks the plant has is significant, with three stalks representing happiness, wealth, and long life.
Dreamcatchers
These Native American talismans were made to protect sleeping people from bad dreams and negative spirits, especially by the Ojibwe people. The Times of India states they were traditionally made from willow and animal sinew, but modern versions incorporate various materials like feathers, beads, and brightly colored strings.
Feng Shui Crystals
Feng Shui is the ancient Chinese art of arranging living spaces to create ‘balance’ and positive energy, often with the use of crystals. For example, citrine is believed to attract wealth, while rose quartz is said to bring love. Modern practices still utilize such stones, placing them in ideal areas of the home or having the homeowner wear them.
Scarabs
The scarab beetle was sacred to the Ancient Egyptians, symbolizing the cycle of life and rebirth and believed to protect against evil. Scarabs were often crafted into amulets and jewelry for the living, as well as funeral items. Scarab motifs are still used in jewelry today, serving as modern talismans for successful new beginnings and for protection.
Wishbones
HowStuffWorks claims that the tradition of breaking the wishbone from a cooked bird goes back to ancient times, when Etruscans believed that birds could tell divine future events. Two people pulled apart the bone, and whoever ended up with the larger piece was said to be granted a wish. Hence, they often depict good luck and wishes coming true.
Rainbows
Due to their beauty and rarity, rainbows are symbols of good fortune across many cultures. Their appearance after bad weather (the calm after the storm) also invokes a feeling of promise and better times ahead. In Irish folklore, the end of a rainbow is thought to be the spot where a leprechaun’s pot of gold is hidden—the ultimate good fortune!
Ladybugs
These little red, spotted beetles are a sign of good luck in various cultures, with some people believing that a person receives good fortune should a ladybug land on them, according to Daily Sabah. In some countries, the number of spots is thought to indicate how many months of good luck you will receive.
Keys
Keys have long been used as symbols of knowledge, success, and new opportunities. In ancient times, carrying a key was believed to unlock a ‘positive’ future for the bearer and protect against evil, especially if given as a gift. Though not as common as four-leaf clovers, keys are still used as lucky symbols of new beginnings and fulfilled potential.
Goldfish
In China, goldfish are symbols of fertility and prosperity due to their association with gold and propensity to exist in groups. Feng Shui practices recommend keeping goldfish in the home to attract good fortune and financial stability. Sometimes, a specific number of fish is deemed necessary for maximum benefit!
White Heather
On the highlands of Scotland, most heather (a hardy moorland shrub with small flowers) is purple, so sprigs of white heather are considered lucky in Scottish folklore. Nowadays, it is still used by the Scots in bridal bouquets or worn on occasions when good luck is especially required.
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