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An alphabetical list of lucky charms from different cultures
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Luck. It can mean something different for everyone. But chances are, when you think of luck, you think of something particular. Maybe you imagine a leprechaun holding a four-leaf clover while skipping under a rainbow, or perhaps you see a trumpeting elephant at your front door. Good luck charms and signs are unique all over the world. Check out this alphabetized list of the most common good luck signs. Who knows? You may just learn that you’ve had a lucky charm with you all along!

  1. This grass is extremely fast-growing, sustainable, and cheap. Because of this, it’s often used to build lots of things. However, in Asian culture, bamboo is more than a durable resource. The plant is said to bring good luck, wealth, and fortune to those near it.
    • Bring some extra luck into your home by planting a bamboo bush or purchasing a piece of bamboo decor.
    • Know that not all bamboo is considered lucky. “Lucky bamboo” ( or Dracaena sanderiana ) is a houseplant considered by Feng Shui experts to bring luck into a home—so make sure you’re buying the right plant! [1]
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4

Cardinals

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  1. In Native American culture, cardinals are believed to be spirits delivering messages to loved ones. Similarly, these red birds represent God’s spirit in Christianity and Catholicism. Because of this, cardinals are often depicted as prosperous signs. Basically, if you see a cardinal, a positive, lucky message is coming your way. [2]
    • Keep your eyes and ears open when you see a cardinal. Your message could come in the form of a conversation with a loved one, a phone call, a text message, or a billboard.
  1. Some believe that finding a US penny heads-up is a lucky sign, while others believe getting a coin with your birth year on it is lucky. Depending on where you are, different coins can be symbols of luck. Check out the most common lucky currencies:
    • The Silver Sixpence is found in Great Britain, and brides often wear them in their shoes for luck.
    • The Lucky Irish Penny is from Ireland and has a harp on one side and a hen and chicks on the other.
    • Leap Year Mercury Dimes are from the US, and finding one is often a sign of luck and prosperity.
    • If you see a coin lying about, pick it up! It may bring you luck for the rest of the day.
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  1. In Chinese culture, crickets are lucky symbols that bring good fortune, prosperity, and wealth. These insects are always multiplying, and their sing-song chirp is thought to be a positive sign. Back in the day, Chinese farmers used the first cricket chirps of spring as a sign to plant their crops. [3]
    • Being so lucky, it’s considered bad luck to kill a cricket.
    • If you see a cricket in your house, it may be a sign that something good is about to happen.
    • Similarly, cicadas are signs of good luck in Western culture and are often mistaken for crickets metaphorically.
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10

Elephants

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  1. These large, strong animals are lucky symbols in Thailand and India. You may notice that many Asian families and businesses have an image or statue of an elephant with their trunk up near the front door. This is because they believe the elephant will help bring luck into their home.
    • In Hindu culture, the god of luck is Ganesha, who has multiple arms and an elephant head.
    • Place an elephant statue near your front door to welcome luck into your space. If luck doesn’t come, at least you have new, super cute decor!
  1. The color green is considered a universally lucky color. In Western cultures, green is associated with wealth, prosperity, and other lucky symbols (like a shamrock or four-leaf clover). [6] In Chinese culture, the color green is also very lucky. Green is associated with the wood element in the Chinese Five Elements Theory and is a symbol of wealth, fertility, and health. [7]
    • Wear green on a day you need a little extra luck, like when you're about to take a big test or interview for a new job. Some say wearing the color attracts new opportunities.
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  1. In China, the Mandarin orange is a symbol of good fortune and abundance during the Chinese New Year. These citrus fruits are often used as decorations and gifted to loved ones to celebrate a happy new year. Along with this, oranges are often given at Christmas in Eastern cultures. It’s believed that Saint Nicholas leaves oranges in children’s stockings to bring them good luck. [11]
    • Take part in these cultural traditions to bring luck to you and your family all year round! Cut open an orange on New Year’s Day, or place an orange in your family’s stockings on Christmas Eve.
25

Rabbit’s foot

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  1. People have been carrying rabbit feet in their pockets for centuries with the superstition that they bring good luck. It all started with a misinterpreted African American belief: killing a rabbit was unlucky. Over the years, the belief got twisted, and soon Europeans were carrying around rabbit feet as good luck charms. [12]
    • If you believe in superstitions, put a rabbit’s foot on your keychain or keep one in your purse or bag. After all, having a little extra luck (whether real or not) couldn’t hurt!
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      Tips

      • While there are many good luck signs in the world, 7 universal good luck charms are often recognized in every culture: four-leaf clovers, horseshoes, rabbit’s feet, the color green, the number 7, pennies, and ladybugs.
      • Choose your lucky charm based on which item or symbol you resonate with the most.


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