From ancient times lucky charms are part of human beings’ life in different cultures, so there are many stories, origins, beliefs and characteristics of these objects which, in many cases, are also taken to decorate houses or as beauty accessories in jewelery such as bracelets, bangles, earrings or rings. Therefore, if you want prosperity and good fortune, here there are some that are considered the best lucky charms.
The elephant: This animal has always been a symbol of power, strength, wisdom and balance, and has been used in homes over time because superstition and popular beliefs indicate that it should be placed at the entrance of houses and businesses to ward off bad luck, thereby cleaning the place and attracting positive energies.
Maneki Neko: They are the famous kittens of fortune originated in Japan, and it is common to see them at the doors of stores because they are associated with the protection of businesses. This is because there is a 17th century Japanese legend which tells the story of a wealthy merchant caught in a severe storm who was saved by a cat from the Japanese bobtail breed.
The term “Maneki” means “invite to pass”, while Neko means “cat”, so the movement of its hand indicates that you are being invited to pass instead of waving, as many people believe. If it raises its right hand, it is associated with prosperity and money; raising the left one is associated with the arrival of visitors; and raising both hands is associated with the protection of the home or business.
Pucara Bull: This original object from the Andean southern towns of Peru is made in ceramics, and it is one of the lucky charms that is associated with fertility, protection and happiness in marriage.
The Beetle: Lucky charms made with beetles have been used since ancient times for protection against disease and death. The beetle has been a symbol that appears in ancient Egypt in a large number of hieroglyphs, sculptures and statues, and its shape, combined with a human body and a beetle face, represents the God Jeprien. However, it is mostly associated with the God Ra, creator of the universe.
Hamsa: It is one of the lucky charms that is associated with Sephardic, Jewish, and Muslim cultures in which it means “five”, referring to the five fingers of the hand, which is the reason why it is also known as “the hand of God ”; and according to known traditions, it protects from evil, attracts good luck and prevents disease. It has been used in Jewish synagogues since the year 244 after Christ.
Carp scales: It is one of the lucky charms representative of the Christmas season, since carp is a traditional food from many Central European countries, even in Germany and Poland the tradition of keeping some carp scales in the wallet after Christmas dinner is followed, and they are carried there until the following year to be protected from bad energy and to be lucky.
dream catcher: It is one of the lucky charms that was created in the native town Ojibwa or Chippewa in the northern part of the United States in the 1960s and 1970s, when the Pan-Indian movement emerged. It is used to filter dreams, hanging on the head of the bed or on one side in order to protect people against nightmares and terror at night, although nowadays they are also used as a talisman to catch good energy and good luck.
The horseshoe: This amulet is used as a protector of houses to attract good luck and scare away the evil eye. Its use for these purposes arises from the legend of Saint Dunstan, Archbishop of Canterbury, who was also a blacksmith, and when the devil entered his tent to ask for a horseshoe for his horse, he nailed it to the devil’s foot, and then he demanded that to withdraw it, he had to promise that he would never enter any home with a horseshoe on its door.
Ekeko: It is an amulet of Andean highlands that has backpacks with food and lacks a sandal. It is associated with abundance, good luck, fertility, and joy, and in countries like Peru, Argentina, northern Chile, Bolivia and eastern Venezuela he is called “Don Juan del Dinero”.
Rabbit’s foot: It is one of the most popular lucky charms in the world, and is used in many countries of Europe, Africa, North, Central and South America, even in China. It is believed that it originated in 600 BC among the Celtic peoples who believed that the rabbit in its entirety brought good luck because it lives underground in burrows and for that reason it maintained direct communication with the spirits of the underworld and the gods.
Nazar: It is one of the lucky charms whose origin is believed it was in Central Asia; however, many argue that it emerged during the Ottoman Empire. It is widely used in countries like Greece, Syria, Cyprus, Albania, Turkey and Romania, and it has become popular all over the world, becoming one of the favorite souvenirs of tourists to protect themselves from the evil eye.
Acorns: They are lucky charms worn by the English during the conquest of Normandy in the 11th century with the aim of protecting themselves against daily adversities. Since then this fruit has been considered as a symbol of power, luck, youth, prosperity and spiritual growth.