For people living in different countries around the world, various charms, talismans, and amulets have become symbols of good luck. Here’s a list of some of the most famous ones, and their meaning.
While some of these charms are used throughout several countries in a given region, others remain unique to certain nations. I’ve put together a collection of some of the most famous good luck charms from around the world, along with an explanation of why they’re considered lucky. Take a look!
List of the most famous Good Luck Charms
Maneki-Neko
Good luck in Japan
In Japan, these cat figures are believed to bring good luck to their owners. They are often displayed in front of the entrance of shops, restaurants, and businesses and vary in size and design.
Carp Scales
Good luck in Poland
In several countries in central Europe, carp is a traditional Christmas meal. Once the meal is over, people will often retrieve the carp’s scales and sometimes put them in their wallets until the following Christmas Even for good luck.
Elephants
Good luck in India
Elephants are seen as a symbol of good luck and representation of power, stability, and wisdom in many countries – especially India. Ganesha, one of the most-worshipped Hindu deities, even has the head of an elephant. It is sometimes placed in family’s houses, with its back to the door, to prevent negative energies from entering.
Hamsa
Good luck in Israel
The hand-shaped charms can often be seen decorating family homes, public spaces, or offices, and they are believed to ward off the evil eye. Hamsa, also known as Hand of Fatima, is a protection amulet that honors Fatima, daughter of the prophet Muhammad. It represents the five pillars of the Muslim faith: faith, prayer, fasting, charity, and pilgrimage. It is the symbol chosen to be the logo of this blog.
Pigs
Good luck in Germany
In Germany, possessing pigs was seen as a sign of wealth and prosperity during the Middle Ages, indicating that their owners would never go hungry.
Dreamcatchers
Good luck in Native American culture
When hung over or near one’s bed, the dreamcatcher is believed to catch the dreams as they flow by, letting the good ones though. Learn how to make your own dreamcatcher here.
Red Bats
Good luck in China
Red bats are thought to ward off evil and are often worn as lucky charms in China. Five red bats also stands as a representation of the five good fortunes of health, longevity, love, wealth, and virtue.
Figa Charm
Good luck in Brazil and Portugal
Figa charms are known for repelling bad energy and bringing good fortune. It is thought that the charm stores all of the luck that you haven’t used yet. Just as a curiosity, this gesture was used in ancient Rome in cults of fertility and eroticism, symbolizing the thumb (male organ) penetrating the wrist (female organ).
Scarabs
Good luck in Egypt
Scarabs are associated with the daily rising of the sun and of continual birth and rebirth in Egypt. It is thought to stand as a representation of new creation and eternal life and to protect the bearer from evil.
Nazar
Good luck in Turkey
A nazar is an eye-shaped amulet believed to protect one from the evil eye, and it is typically made of handmade glass in blue, white, light blue, and black. The amulet can be seen in many other countries, including Greece and Cyprus. Hanging at the entrance of the house or used in necklaces and bracelets, this amulet symbolizes God’s eye, who protects and illuminates.
Dala Horse
Good luck in Sweden
The horses, which originated from the Dalarna region in Sweden, are thought to represent strength, faithfulness, wisdom, and dignity.
Acorns
Good luck in England
Acorns are considered representations of youth, spiritual growth, and prosperity. They have long been considered symbols of luck and power and were carried by the English during the Norman Conquest.
Worry Dolls
Good luck in Guatemala
According to folklore, people who cannot fall asleep reveal their worries to the doll, which is then believed to take over their concerns, allowing them to sleep.
Tumi
Good luck in Peru
In Peru, it is considered good luck to hang a tumi on the wall. The ceremonial knife, usually made of bronze, gold, silver, or copper, was used in ritual ceremonies in the past.
Ankh
Good luck in Egypt
The Ankh cross is the Egyptian symbol of life. It represents the union between heaven and earth. It is believed to attract health, longevity, fertility, and protection.
Buddha
Good luck around the world
The Buddha Statues, for most people are the main subject of curiosity as they have different hand gestures, poses and styles. Although Buddha statues may differ artistically between cultures, some features and meanings remain the same. Common characteristics among Buddha statues include the Buddha standing, sitting or lying down. Here are some of the most famous ones:
- Protection Buddha: this seated Buddha with the right hand raised and facing outwards has two common meanings: the raised hand represents a shield, bringing protection and helping to overcome fears;
- Meditation Buddha: this seated Buddha with both hands in the lap, facing up, and crossed legs, is for people who are either looking for peace and clam in their lives, or for those who wish to improve their own meditation skills. It represents concentration and stability;
- Three Wise Buddhas (See no Evil Buddha): This set of 3 buddhas refers to the trinity, a symbol of divine protection, help, and guidance. These statues of laughing Buddhas portray the three wise monkeys and the proverb associated with being the good mind, speech, and action: 1. Hear not evil Buddha: The Kikazaru monkey covers his ears to hear no evil. 2. See no evil Buddha: The Mizaru monkey covers his eyes and sees no evil around. 3. Speak no evil Buddha: The Iwazaru monkey, who covers his mouth to speak no evil.
Horseshoe
Good luck in the USA
The legend says that during the 10th century, St. Dunstan (a blacksmith at the time) was visited by the devil himself. The hoofed devil asked for a horseshoe for himself. So then, Dunstan nailed a red hot horseshoe tightly on one of his hooves, and the devil howled in pain. The devil begged for Dunstan to remove it. Dunstan agreed under one condition — the devil must respect the horseshoe and never enter any place where one was hung above the door. Because of this, people believed that the horseshoe could keep evil spirits out of their homes, for good luck and protection.
Four-leaf clover
Good luck all over the world
This is an amulet of good luck and prosperity. The Celts believed that anyone who found a four-leaf clover would absorb the powers of the forest and even the good fortune of the gods. Because it was difficult to find, it was a clear sign that the person was lucky.
Star of David
Good luck all over the world
Common in Judaism, the star of David is known as the seal of Solomon (son of David) and it used to be the sign of royalty in Israel. It symbolizes wisdom and the physical & spiritual realms. It attracts protection and prosperity.
Crucifix
Good luck all over the world
The crucifix is the Catholic symbol of the resurrection. It represents the suffering of Jesus Christ to save humanity and it is used as an amulet for protection against evil.
Endless Knot
Good luck all over the world
In Buddhism, this is the symbol of interconnection, cause and effect. It represents the Buddha’s infinite wisdom. It is used as an amulet for a harmonious, long and happy life.
Triple Moon
Good luck in Greece
Used in Wicca, the Triple Moon represents the Triple Goddess (maiden, mother, and crone). It symbolizes the cycle of life and mother nature. This amulet is used for fertility, intuition, love and protection.
Celtic Knot
Good luck in Ireland
This is the Celtic representation of the three faces of the great mother. It is also the knot that ties all things together, symbolizing eternity and interconnection between the physical, mental and spiritual world. It is used for harmony and balance.
Eye of Horus
Good luck in Egypt and Malta
The right eye (Eye of Horus) represents the masculine, reasoning, and mathematics. The left eye (Eye of Osiris) represents the feminine, intuition and magic. Together, they represent the power of the Universe, functioning as an amulet of balance and harmony.
In Malta, where I currently live, there are some traditional fishing boats named luzzu:
These boats are brightly painted in shades of yellow, red, green and blue, and the bow is normally pointed with a pair of eyes – the Eye of Horus and Osiris. They are said to protect the fishermen while at sea.
Wanderlust World 