7 Good Luck Charms From Around the World
What do you consider lucky?
While Ireland and its shamrocks remain synonymous with good fortune, the idea of a particular object bestowing positive karma upon its owner isn't unique to the country.
In fact, the word "luck" isn't Irish at all, according to Dictionary.com, which suggests the term's origins may be Middle Dutch, a shortening of the word "gelucke." Here's a look at trinkets and symbols considered good luck around the world.
Rabbit's foot
From knocking on wood to horseshoes to ladybugs, United States popular culture idolizes many tokens and rituals believed to bring good fortune. None are seemingly as strange, however, as the rabbit's foot: a severed mammalian paw often dyed and fastened into a keychain for safe keeping.
The origins of this tradition depend on who you ask.
Numerous websites trace the belief to ancient Celts who thought rabbits -- creatures that burrow into the Earth -- could communicate directly with gods and spirits. Meanwhile, quoting folklorist Bill Ellis, Scientific American attributes the good luck charm to "African American magical traditions" and the witty character of B'rer Rabbit, known to use his brain to overcome adversity.
Carp scales
This Christmas Eve carp dinner is a tradition of sorts in certain parts of Europe. But it's not as simple as it might sound.
In Poland, Austria, Germany and other nearby countries, the fish must live in the family bathtub for days beforehand, according to NPR. After the meal, people collect the carp scales -- a sign of good luck for the new year. Some people even carry them around in their wallets.
Scarabs
A beetle that eats poop to survive hardly seems like the type of creature that ought to be idolized or worshiped.
In ancient Egypt, however, people found purpose watching scarabs roll feces across the sand. "For the Egyptians, that was symbolic of the sun moving across the sky," Gene Kritsky, author of "Insect Mythology," told NPR affiliate WKSU.
Thus, the culture viewed the dung beetle as the embodiment of the sun god Khepri, according to National Geographic. The insect's likeness, adopted as a good luck charm, still appears in jewelry today.
Acorns
The squirrels are onto something.
In Norway, the acorn is a token of good luck taken from Viking folklore. In Norse legend, the oak tree represents Thor, the god of thunder and lightning, according to DailyMail. To protect their homes from lightning, ancient Norse filled their homes with acorns.
Swastikas
Before it appeared in logos for white supremacist groups, the swastika had a more innocent connotation.
Derived from the Sanskrit word "svastika," meaning "good fortune" or "well-being," the symbol -- a cross with hooks -- is a common sight on temples or homes in India or Indonesia, according to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.
Prior to World War II, the good luck emblem was even adopted in western advertising and architecture. In the 19th century, German scholars translating Sanskrit noticed a similarity with their own language. "They concluded that Indians and Germans must have had a shared ancestry and imagined a race of white god-like warriors they called Aryans," writes BBC. From there, a symbol of luck became a symbol of hate.
"Evil eye" beads
Stroll through any bazaar in Turkey and you'll likely find ceramic amulets featuring a dark blue circle surrounding the shape of an eye.
The Nazar Boncuğu, as it's called, is an eye-shaped pendant thought to ward off the "evil eye." Placed on anything from rings to wall hangings, it is believed to absorb bad energy, protecting its owner from curses and illness.
The color red
China, a culture of symbolism, has no shortage of objects representing strength, health, longevity and other positive characteristics.
There's the "laughing Buddha" for happiness and bamboo, which brings a year of prosperity. Another widespread symbol, especially during Chinese New Year, is the color red.
People hang up red lanterns, wear red clothing, and give each other red envelopes containing money. According to Reader's Digest, the tradition begins in Chinese folklore with Nian, a red beast that destroyed crops and ate children on the New Year. Once Nian was defeated, the color became a symbol of good fortune -- even worn by brides on their wedding days.
Lauren Boyer is Social Media Editor at U.S. News & World Report. Follow her on Twitter, connect with her on LinkedIn or reach her at lboyer@usnews.com.
