List of lucky symbols

This is a list of lucky symbols, signs and charms. Luck is symbolized by a wide array of objects, numbers, symbols, plant and animal life which vary significantly in different cultures globally. The significance of each symbol is rooted in either folklore, mythology, esotericism, religion, tradition, necessity or a combination thereof.

Symbol Culture Notes
7 Christian [1][2]
8 Chinese Sounds like the Chinese word for "fortune". See Numbers in Chinese culture#Eight
Albatross Considered a sign of good luck if seen by sailors.[3][4]
Amanita muscaria
Bamboo Chinese [5]
Barnstar United States [6][7]
Chimney sweep Many parts of the world Said to bring good luck when being touched, especially on New Year and on weddings.
Ladybugs German, Italian, Russian, Turkish, Serbia (Srbija) There is an old children's song in Serbia "Fly, fly, ladybug, bring me the happiness" meaning "Let, let, bubamaro, donesi mi sreću". In Serbian "sreća" meaning "good chances" as in a lottery or "happiness", but this is about emotions.
Dreamcatcher Native American (Ojibwe) [8][9]
Fish Chinese, Hebrew, Ancient Egyptian, Tunisian, Indian, Japanese [10][11][12][13][14][15]
Four-leaf clover Irish and Celtic [16][17]
Shamrock or Clover Irish While in most of the world, only the four-leafed clover is considered lucky, in Ireland all Irish Shamrocks are.
Horseshoe English and several other European ethnicities Horseshoes are considered lucky when turned upwards but unlucky when turned downwards, although some people believe the opposite.[18][19]
Jade Chinese
Maneki-neko Japanese, Chinese Often mistaken as a Chinese symbol due to its usage in Chinese communities, the Maneki-neko is Japanese.
Pig Chinese, German [20]
Rabbit's foot A rabbit's foot can be worn or carried as a lucky charm.[21]
Wishbone Europe, North America [22]
Sarimanok Maranao
Swallow Korea Rooted in Folktale 'Heungbu and Nolbu'
White Elephant Thai [23]
White heather Scotland
Aitvaras Lithuania

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Dolnick and Davidson, p. 85
  2. ↑ Greer, p. 21
  3. ↑ Webster, p. 6
  4. ↑ Dodge, p. 748
  5. ↑ Parker, p. 150
  6. ↑ Urbina, Eric (July 22, 2006). "For the Pennsylvania Dutch, a Long Tradition Fades". The New York Times. Retrieved April 26, 2011.
  7. ↑ Votruba, Cindy (September 8, 2008). "It's in the Stars". Marshall Independent. Retrieved April 26, 2011.
  8. ↑ Young, Eric (February 2, 1998). "New Age Solution for Coping with Material-world Tension" ((subscription required)). The Sacramento Bee. Retrieved April 26, 2007.
  9. ↑ Thrall, Christopher (September 17, 2005). "Objects in the mirror may be more complex than they appear" (subscription required). Postmedia News. Retrieved April 26, 2011.
  10. ↑ Helfman, p. 400
  11. ↑ Marks, p. 199
  12. ↑ Toussaint-Samat, p. 311
  13. ↑ Hackett, Smith, & al-Athar, p. 218
  14. ↑ Sen, p. 158
  15. ↑ Volker, p. 72
  16. ↑ Dolnick and Davidson, p. 38
  17. ↑ Binney, p. 115
  18. ↑ Cooper, p. 86
  19. ↑ DeMello, p. 35
  20. ↑ Webster, p. 202
  21. ↑ Webster, p. 212
  22. ↑ Edward A. Armstrong."The Folklore of Birds" (Dover Publications, 1970)
  23. ↑ "'Lucky' white elephant for Burma". BBC News. November 9, 2001.

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