Lucky Symbols

People believe in different symbols and signs, supposed to bring good luck in their lives. Read on to know about these lucky symbols.
'Find a penny, pick it up, and all that day you'll have good luck!' or 'For each petal on the shamrock this brings a wish your way. Good health, good luck, and happiness for today and every day.' Can the two lucky symbols (penny and shamrock) in these aforementioned quotes modify your luck? Do you really believe in lucky symbols or are they mere myths or superstitions steeped into people's mind? Whatever the matter of fact is, these symbols are believed to modify one's luck and destiny.

Ever since human beings have started believing in astrology and clairvoyance, a wide array of objects, numbers and symbols have started playing significant role in their lives. Amongst them, few are accepted globally and the rest belong to a particular religion. The Chinese, Japanese and Egyptians are renowned worldwide for practicing this belief. Each of these lucky signs and symbols are rooted in their tradition, religion and mythology. Lucky symbols, are thus believed to bring good luck in individuals.

Generic List of Lucky Symbols

Being lucky or unlucky is just a belief inbred in one's mind, in connection with a series of events happening in life. The common belief associated with these symbols is, they bring good luck and fortune in one's life.

Rabbit's Foot
Rabbit's Foot

People in the US, Europe, China and Africa have immense faith in rabbit's foot. The Egyptians considered it as symbol of luck since, 600 B.C. In the North American folklore, the left hind foot of rabbit is believed to bring good luck in life. This is carried as amulets in bags and on any auspicious occasion. This faith also passed from pre-Celtic tradition.

Horseshoe
Horseshoe

Legendary stories say that Saint Dunstan, nailed horseshoe into devil's feet, compelling his evil eye away from any house. Thus, victory over evil was signified by horseshoe. People consider iron made horseshoe lucky, as it has the power to keep evil things away from one's life.

Four Leaf Clovers
Four Leaf Clovers

Four leaf clovers as a lucky symbol was popularized by the Irish people. Each leaf was believed to signify faith, hope, love and luck. The popular belief in Irish culture says that, the three leaf clover, known as "Shamrock", was represented as Holy Trinity by Saint Patrick and when it bears the fourth leaflet, it signifies God's grace. Four leaf clover tattoos have become popular today, espousing good luck.

Acorn
Acorn

Acorn is just the oak nut, bearing a single seed enclosed in a tough and leathery shell. It is synonymous to the English proverb, 'Great oaks from little acorns grow'. Acorn represents patience, hard work and labor that will ultimately fetch success. People believe that good luck will follow if one keeps acorn with himself.

Stars
Stars

Stars were associated with good luck and fortune since Middle ages. One of the most common types is the barn star, also known as 'five pointed star' or 'wagon wheel'. This is often seen in front of houses in America and Germany, signifying aesthetic value. This good luck symbol became popular in United States since 1700s, during the civil war.

Swastika
Swastika

The symbol of swastika is considered lucky according to ancient beliefs. It is a powerful lucky symbol, used widely in the Eastern regions. Swastika has other connotations like, Hakenkreuz, gammadion, tetraskelion, gammadion. However, this symbol should not be confused with the symbol used by Nazis on their flag. The Nazi symbol stands for evil and bad omen.

Caduceus
Caduceus

This symbol was accepted as good luck symbol in Greek mythology. It was represented by two serpents wrapped along a rod with the wings on the top of the rod, signifying balance and polarity. It was a symbol of good health and was mostly used by medical practitioners.

Chinese Lucky Symbols
  • Fu: Good Fortune
  • Shou: Longevity
  • Lu: Prosperity
  • Cai: Wealth
  • Ai: Love
  • He: Harmony
  • De: Moral
  • Ji: Auspicious
  • Mei: Beautiful
Japanese Lucky Symbols
  • Hotei or Laughing Buddha: The symbol of a bald man with a bulging stomach, smiling and carrying a bag of wealth over his shoulders, is popularly believed to bring in wealth and happiness.
  • Beckoning Cat: This symbol is mostly placed at shops and restaurants. The cat with right paw raised, signifies flow of money and cat with left paw raised is meant to attract customers.
  • Daruma Dolls: These typical Japanese dolls are known to bring hopes of optimism and good luck.
Other Good Luck Symbols
  • Keys
  • Dragon
  • Fish
  • Turtles
  • Lucky Pigs
  • Scarab Beetle
  • Rainbows
  • Lucky Coins
  • Dream catchers Web
  • Trolls
  • Dragonfly
  • Crickets
  • Chinese Lanterns
  • Bamboo
  • Nose Art
  • Number 7
  • Number 8
  • Albatross
  • Wishing Well
  • Red Bat
Lucky symbols have their own meanings and significance. Everyone holds a different concept of faith, trust and belief and accordingly these symbols steer the wheels of destiny. But resigning completely to fate and symbols is not something very wise, rather one should mold one's destiny, to be fortunate. And in support of this opinion, the laws of human life justify that 'man is the maker of his own destiny' and 'luck is believing you're lucky'.
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Published: 6/7/2010
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