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

  1. ^ Dolnick and Davidson, p. 85
  2. ^ Greer, p. 21
  3. ^ a b Welch, p. 213
  4. ^ a b Cooper, p. 118
  5. ^ Webster, p. 2
  6. ^ a b Dolnick and Davidson, p. 37
  7. ^ Webster, p. 6
  8. ^ Dodge, p. 748
  9. ^ Parker, p. 150
  10. ^ 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. 
  11. ^ 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. 
  12. ^ Becker, p. 35
  13. ^ Eberhard, p. 30
  14. ^ Cooper, p. 30
  15. ^ Bessant p. 244
  16. ^ Cioccolanti, p. 36
  17. ^ Chapman, Authenticity
  18. ^ Webster, p. 55
  19. ^ Spolsky, p. 44
  20. ^ Webster, p. 64
  21. ^ Goff, p. 190
  22. ^ Becker, p. 72
  23. ^ Tresidder, p. 127
  24. ^ Humez and Humez, p. 9
  25. ^ Long, "Symbol and Ritual"
  26. ^ Mitchell and Lasswell, p. 30
  27. ^ Hanson, p. 157
  28. ^ 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. 
  29. ^ 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. 
  30. ^ Helfman, p. 400
  31. ^ Marks, p. 199
  32. ^ Toussaint-Samat, p. 311
  33. ^ Hackett, Smith, & al-Athar, p. 218
  34. ^ Akanba, p. 122
  35. ^ Sen, p. 158
  36. ^ Volker, p. 72
  37. ^ Iversen, p. 84
  38. ^ Dolnick and Davidson, p. 38
  39. ^ Binney, p. 115
  40. ^ Cooper, p. 86
  41. ^ DeMello, p. 35
  42. ^ http://www.journalism.sfsu.edu/www/pubs/prism/nov95/08.html
  43. ^ Webster, p. 150
  44. ^ Webster, p. 202
  45. ^ Webster, p. 212

Sources