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In the United Kingdom, the acorn is considered a good luck charm for anyone who carries one. The belief, which dates back to medieval times, has its roots in the fact that an oak tree grows from an acorn. Therefore the nut has always been associated with growth, hope, and new life.
In Peru, to hang a tumi on a wall means good luck. The tumi, an ornate axe, dates back to pre-Inca cultures and was used in the sacrifice of animals for the sun priest to help predict the future.
The rabbit's foot is known worldwide as a good luck talisman. The Celts believed that the burrowing mammal lived so deeply underground that it had an ability to speak with the spirits. Furthermore, the notoriously fertile rabbit has always been heavily associated with birth and renewal.
The word nazar is derived from the Arabic word for sight. However in Turkey, "nazar" is interpreted as bad luck, or evil. Wearing an amulet, usually a beaded blue jewel, serves as protection from wrongdoers.
The Maneki-neko, or "beckoning cat," is a common Japanese figurine that is often believed to bring good luck to the owner. Their use as a talisman dates back to the Edo period, between 1603 and 1868. A cat with its left paw raised is believed to bring good business to shop owners. If the right paw is raised, it's said to attract money and prosperity.
Many theories surround the origin of the horseshoe as a symbol of good luck. For example, the horseshoe was considered lucky because being a blacksmith was considered a lucky trade. Similarly, iron was deemed magical because it could withstand fire. Generally speaking, most believe that the horseshoe points should face up, arguing that this orientation captures and collects good luck. While it's a common sight hanging over doors across the United States, the horseshoe can also be found in ancient Islamic art and Egyptian iconography.
The hamsa is a palm-shaped amulet popular throughout the Middle East in both Jewish and Muslim communities. It depicts the open right hand, an image recognized and used over millennia as a sign of protection from negative energy. The eye on the hand represents an eye that sees everything and watches out for the beholder.
Considered lucky by the simple fact that the odds of finding a four-leaf clover are around one in 10,000, this well-known good luck charm symbol was first mentioned as such as early as 1640. The four sides symbolize faith, hope, luck, and love.
The Jin Chan, or "golden toad," represents a popular Feng Shui charm for prosperity. With only three legs and sitting on a pile of coins with a coin in its mouth, this mythical frog with red eyes can be traced back to Chinese legends.
In Germany, good luck is often gifted in the form of a marzipan pig–a glücksschwein, or "lucky pig"–which is also associated with fertility. Another common association with pigs is wealth (just look at all those people who deposit coins in so-called piggy banks). Traces of "lucky pigs" are found in late medieval board and card games. Today, they are often featured on cards expressing best wishes, especially around New Year.
Legend has it that ancient Egyptians believed that opening a parasol indoors—away from the sun—was a disrespectful act that would anger the sun god. Today, many Egyptians are superstitious about opening umbrellas inside a house.
In Greek mythology, ravens are associated with Apollo, the god of prophecy. They are said to be a symbol of bad luck, and were the god's messengers in the mortal world. In some societies, seeing just a single crow is considered an omen of bad luck.
Black cats have been associated with the Devil and evil since the age of medieval witchcraft. People thought black cats assisted witches in their unholy ways. They also believed witches could turn into black cats to lurk in the shadows and cast spells on passersby. Even today, the myths of black cats and witches hold strong, especially during Halloween season. And in Italy, for example, it's a common superstition that a black cat crossing your path is bad luck. In fact, according to a report in the UK's Telegraph newspaper, a leading animal rights group has estimated that 60,000 black cats are killed every year by Italians who believe that they bring bad luck.
A superstition in Western cultures holds that spilling salt is an evil omen, a belief that dates back to ancient Rome. While tossing a pinch of salt over your shoulder is said to break an evil spell, in Azerbaijan the mishap will lead to a fight breaking out. The way to remedy this is by putting sugar on the spilled salt and leaving it there until it's cleaned up.
In Sweden, you must never put your keys on the table; it is considered very bad luck. The origin of this superstition is that, back in the day, call girls used to indicate their availability by placing their keys on the table.
Friday the 13th is considered an unlucky day in Western superstition, and especially so in the United States. They've even made films about it! The day has long been considered a harbinger of bad luck. But why? One reason is that both Friday and the number 13 have some troubled ties to Christianity: it was on a Friday that Jesus was crucified. In the US, there was an unwritten rule about not having 13 guests at a dinner table, after the 13 guests, including Jesus, attended the Last Supper, one of whom, Judas, betrayed him.
In South Korea, people are told not to shake their legs, otherwise their wealth and good luck will fall out. This cultural belief stretches back centuries and if nothing else, it discourages people from shaking legs privately or in public.
While more a cultural norm than superstition, passing money by hand in Tajikistan is considered rude and unlucky: it replicates the payment method sex workers employ to seal a transaction. The same goes for items like keys, pens, and scissors. They should be placed on a table and then picked up by the second person.
In Serbia, complimenting a baby will apparently bring it bad luck. Instead—bizarrely—make sure to call the newborn infant ugly. If you say anything good, the infant will be vulnerable to the evil eye. Superstition in Serbia continues to have an effect on its culture in mostly rural parts of the country, where the older generation resides. Many of these cultural superstitions were created as far back as the 9th century.
In Russia, you should never celebrate a birthday until the actual day of the event. If you can't do it that day, wait until afterward to avoid bad luck. In years gone by, it was believed that on the eve of one's birthday one is most weakened, vulnerable to diseases and accidents. Therefore, it is better not to anger the angels by celebrating in advance.
See also: Must-have objects that will bring good luck to your home.
Bezoars are hardened, pearl-like clumps of indigestible matter that sometimes form in the stomach lining of animals such as goats, llamas, deer, and sheep. During the Middle Ages, people believed these to have the power of a universal antidote against any poison. Wearing bezoar, such as in this finger ring, or carrying it was therefore seen as lucky. The earliest description of bezoar stones as medicinal items originates from the Iberian peninsula during the 10th century.
Looking at your reflection in a broken mirror is considered bad luck in both India and Russia. It was the Romans, however, who gave us the idea of it bringing seven years of bad luck—the time they believed it took to renew a life. Back in India, meanwhile, clever ways of banishing the bad luck include burying the shards under the light of the full moon, or waiting seven hours before you touch them.
Depending on its posture, a Laughing Buddha may bring luck, prosperity, or happiness, or a bit of each. Many people decorate their homes with this smiling figurine with its large protruding belly, which must be patted daily in order for his luck to rub off on others. The Laughing Buddha is based on a Chinese Zen monk who lived over 1,000 years ago.
Originally toy dolls for children that were first produced in France in the early 20th century, Nénette and Rintintin were later given as good luck charms to French soldiers or worn by Parisians to protect them during First World War raids. They've remained popular ever since, but in order to maintain their good luck, the dolls should never be purchased, only given, or they will lose their protective powers.
In New Zealand, hearing a marsh crake, also known as Baillon's crake, over your right shoulder was once considered good luck. But if you heard the bird's calls over your left shoulder it would lead to "crook trot"—old New Zealand/Australian slang for bad luck.
A Dalecarlian horse or Dala horse is a traditional carved and painted wooden statue of a horse originating in the Swedish province of Dalarna (Dalecarlia). While made as a toy for kids, the Dala horse is also considered as a symbol of good luck and is said to bring strength and dignity to those in possession of one of these equine amulets.
Walking under a ladder has a gruesome association with medieval England. Convicted criminals, on their way to be hung, were forced to walk under a ladder, which resembled the gallows. Even today it's considered bad luck to walk under a ladder that's leaning against a wall.
Tetraphobia is the practice of avoiding instances of the digit 4. It is a superstition most common in East Asian nations. Many elevator control panels in Shanghai are missing floor number 4, because of the very similar pronunciation of "four" and "death" in Mandarin Chinese.
Mixing wine with watermelon is an unusual dessert combination on any day. But in Argentina people believe that if you drink red wine and eat watermelon together, you will die. The logic is that the combination of the two will turn the fruit into stone in your belly. Probably just an old wives' tale, but it could certainly lead to an upset stomach.
People around the world have always tried to boost their good fortunes with talismans, trinkets, and tokens. Indeed, every culture and country has a different symbol or practice that they believe brings them fortune and good luck. Similarly, there are visions and signals that many believe are harbingers of misfortune and bad luck. So, are you feeling superstitious?
Click through following gallery for some good luck charms and bad luck signs from around the world.
Good luck charms and bad luck signs
What's lucky, and what isn't
LIFESTYLE Fortune
People around the world have always tried to boost their good fortunes with talismans, trinkets, and tokens. Indeed, every culture and country has a different symbol or practice that they believe brings them fortune and good luck. Similarly, there are visions and signals that many believe are harbingers of misfortune and bad luck. So, are you feeling superstitious?
Click through following gallery for some good luck charms and bad luck signs from around the world.