List of lucky symbols
This is a list of lucky symbols and signs. Luck is symbolised by a wide array of objects, numbers, symbols, plant and animal life which vary significantly in different cultures globally. The significance of each symbol is rooted in either folklore, mythology, esotericism, religion, tradition, necessity or a combination thereof.
Symbol |
Culture |
Notes |
7 |
|
Christian |
[1] [2] |
8 |
|
Chinese |
[3][4] |
9 |
|
Chinese |
[3][4] |
Acorn |
|
|
Said to bring good luck if carried as a charm.[5][6] |
Albatross |
|
|
Considered a sign of good luck if seen by sailors.[7][8] |
Bamboo |
|
Chinese |
[9][6] |
Barnstar |
|
United States |
[10][11] |
Bats |
|
Chinese |
[12][13] |
Black cat |
|
|
Traditionally a symbol of bad luck in several cultures, the black cat has become a symbol of good luck in recent times.[14][15] |
Representations of Buddha |
|
Chinese |
[16][17] |
Chimney sweep |
|
English, Eastern European |
Believed to pass on good luck to those they meet.[18][19] |
Coins |
|
Chinese and Western Cultures |
In the West it is considered lucky to throw coins into wells and fountains, [20] while in China the depiction of a metal coin (qian), sometimes portrayed as multiple coins intertwined, is thought to bring about prosperity and longevity.[21] |
Cricket |
|
Chinese and Mediterranean Cultures |
[22][23] |
Dice |
|
Multiple cultures throughout history |
[24][25] |
Dragonfly |
|
Japanese and the Plains Indian Cultures |
[26][27] |
Dreamcatcher |
|
Native American (Ojibwe) |
[28][29] |
Fish |
|
Chinese, Hebrew, Ancient Egyptian, Tunisian, Akan, Indian, Japanese |
[30][31][32][33][34][35][36] |
Fish scale |
|
Russian |
[37] |
Four-leaf clover |
|
Irish and the Celts |
[38][39] |
Horseshoe |
|
English and several other European ethnicities |
Horseshoes are considered lucky when turned upwards but unlucky when turned downwards.[40][41] |
Jade |
|
Chinese |
[42] |
Ladybug (ladybird) |
|
German, international |
[43] |
Leprechaun |
|
Irish |
|
Nautical star |
|
|
|
Pig |
|
Chinese, German |
[44] |
Rabbit's foot |
|
|
A rabbit's foot can be worn or carried as a lucky charm.[45] |
Rainbow |
|
|
|
Scarab beetle |
|
Egyptian |
|
Tigers |
|
Chinese |
|
Tortoise |
|
|
|
Trolls |
|
|
|
Wishbone |
|
|
|
Notes
- ^ Dolnick and Davidson, p. 85
- ^ Greer, p. 21
- ^ a b Welch, p. 213
- ^ a b Cooper, p. 118
- ^ Webster, p. 2
- ^ a b Dolnick and Davidson, p. 37
- ^ Webster, p. 6
- ^ Dodge, p. 748
- ^ Parker, p. 150
- ^ Urbina, Eric (July 22, 2006). "For the Pennsylvania Dutch, a Long Tradition Fades". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/22/us/22hex.html. Retrieved April 26, 2011.
- ^ Votruba, Cindy (September 8, 2008). "It's in the Stars". Marshall Independent. http://www.marshallindependent.com/page/content.detail/id/504247.html?nav=5015. Retrieved April 26, 2011.
- ^ Becker, p. 35
- ^ Eberhard, p. 30
- ^ Cooper, p. 30
- ^ Bessant p. 244
- ^ Cioccolanti, p. 36
- ^ Chapman, Authenticity
- ^ Webster, p. 55
- ^ Spolsky, p. 44
- ^ Webster, p. 64
- ^ Goff, p. 190
- ^ Becker, p. 72
- ^ Tresidder, p. 127
- ^ Humez and Humez, p. 9
- ^ Long, "Symbol and Ritual"
- ^ Mitchell and Lasswell, p. 30
- ^ Hanson, p. 157
- ^ Young, Eric (February 2, 1998). "New Age Solution for Coping with Material-world Tension" ((subscription required)). The Sacramento Bee. http://search.proquest.com.ezproxy.smccme.edu/docview/246401007?accountid=40177. Retrieved April 26, 2007.
- ^ Thrall, Christopher (September 17, 2005). "Objects in the mirror may be more complex than they appear" (subscription required). Postmedia News. http://search.proquest.com.ezproxy.smccme.edu/docview/460167802?accountid=40177. Retrieved April 26, 2011.
- ^ Helfman, p. 400
- ^ Marks, p. 199
- ^ Toussaint-Samat, p. 311
- ^ Hackett, Smith, & al-Athar, p. 218
- ^ Akanba, p. 122
- ^ Sen, p. 158
- ^ Volker, p. 72
- ^ Iversen, p. 84
- ^ Dolnick and Davidson, p. 38
- ^ Binney, p. 115
- ^ Cooper, p. 86
- ^ DeMello, p. 35
- ^ http://www.journalism.sfsu.edu/www/pubs/prism/nov95/08.html
- ^ Webster, p. 150
- ^ Webster, p. 202
- ^ Webster, p. 212
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- Chapman, Mark (2004). "Nominally Chinatown". Reed College Luce Chinese Studies Grants. http://web.reed.edu/luce/chapman/index.html. Retrieved April 26, 2011.
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