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| Good Luck Charms |
Dreamcatchers - United States
Native Americans believed that night air carried both dreams and nightmares. In order to capture the dreams, dreamcatchers were handmade to prevent bad dreams, so long as it is placed above your bed where sunlight can reach it. By having one, it is said to give the owner a peaceful sleep as nightmares get trapped in its' webs. When morning comes, the sunlight will evaporate the bad dreams away.
They became popular in the 1960's and 1970's as a symbol of Native American pride. To this day, dreamcatchers can be found at most reservations around the United States and Canada. Globally they are recognised as good luck objects, and have become quite a staple decoration for homes and offices due to the luck associated with them.
Elephants - India/Thailand
Though there is a lot of controversy where this superstition originated, it is generally accepted that in Southeast Asian culture, elephants are lucky so long as they have their trunks up, meaning that you are getting 'showered with luck.' Elephants found in Thailand are Indian elephants, hence why both countries find them to be lucky. The superstition is so popular that in Asia, there are symbols of elephants in taxi's and tuk-tuk's (the three-wheeled taxi vehicles.)
White elephants in particular are symbols of good fortune and political change. The Hindu God, Ganesh possesses the body of a man, but the head of an elephant, symbolising strength and wisdom. Seeing an elephant with it's trunk down is considered to be bad luck, however some believe it to mean fertility or protection.
Four-Leaf Cover - Ireland
Celtic priests (or Druids) believed that carrying a three-leafed clover would mean they could see evil spirits. However four-leafed clovers were charms which were said to offer magic protection and ward off evil and bad luck. The rarity of these plants adds to the superstition as no species of clover plant produces four-leafed clovers regularly. They are more like an anomaly, so deem yourselves very lucky if you have found one before.
Each of the four leaves stands for a piece of tradition, the first for faith, the second for hope, the third for love, and the final leaf for luck, hence why it requires four leaves to be lucky.
Hamsa - Israel and the Middle East
Originating from a Middle Eastern religion, a Hamsa is a necklace worn by some Jews and Muslims as a symbol of hope, peace and prosperity. It is a palm-shaped pendant said to have come from the words of a commandment stating "Lord took Israel out of Egypt with a strong hand and an outstretched arm." In Israel, some people believe that saying the words "Hamsa, Hamsa, Hamsa, tfu, tfu, tfu" ("Tfu" being the sound of spitting), that they will 'spit out' bad luck.
More common names for the Hamsa include:
★ Khamsa
★ Hand of Fatima
★ Hand of Miriam
Even though it was originated a long time ago, in modern times people of all cultures recognise the symbol, even wearing it for fashion rather than religious motives.
Jin Chan - China
The Jin Chan (or Money Frog) is a statue of a frog with a coin in its mouth, thought to bring wealth and guard against bad luck in Chinese culture. Because of its ties with money, it is important that the figure isn't facing outwards, but inside the home. The statue only has three legs, watch these videos to see for yourself:
★ Money Frog Jin Chan Golden Fountain Symbol Of Wealth - Fritids Tur
★ 3 Legged Toad Jin Chan Lucky Charm III Pendants - Nemesis Rising
Many sculptors combine two of the most famous Chinese luck symbols together, the Jin Chan alongside the Buddha, and are both very readily available online due to their growing popularity outside of Asia.
Lucky Bamboo - China
This symbol of luck is derived from Feng Shui, which states that bamboo is filled with peace and wisdom-based energy. They should be placed inside the house in a southeast corner to symbolise wealth.
The exact meaning of the bamboo depends on how many stalks that person has:
★ Two twigs stand for love.
★ Three twigs stand for happiness.
★ Five twigs stand for health.
★ Eight twigs stand for abundance.
★ Nine twigs stand for general good luck and happiness.
Regardless of how many twigs a person may have, it is said to be most lucky when given as a gift. Ironically enough, the lucky bamboo isn't actually bamboo, rather a similar-looking plant called the Dracaena Sanderiana, it's relatively easy to grow and is very popular during Chinese New Year.
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Tumi - Peru
A Tumi is a ceremonial knife now recognised as a symbol to promote tourism in the country, and as a symbol of good luck. Many people who live in Peru hang these knives in their homes for good luck as Tumi's were used to sacrifice animals to honour the God, Inti.
Here is more about the Tumi, and what they look like:
★ What Is A Peruvian Tumi? - Tedfri Teff
These knives are relatively easy to find online for purchase as they aren't considered to be weaponry, (if you see what the knives look like, they are pretty blunt and are unlikely to cause harm easily).
So, did you see any symbols which apply to you? Do you have any lucky possessions or know of any lucky symbols native to your country? I'd love to learn even more about them!
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