All known cultures from the deep past to those of the present have given many indications of beliefs in desiring to procure the virtues of good luck and ward off the bad, and have often gone to somewhat extreme measures to aid them in so doing. They have used all types of symbols, charms, talismans and amulets that represented good luck to protect them against negative powers and elements and hopefully solicit the aid of the virtuous powers. Today people call upon the desired powers in forms such as tiny magnetic figures on the car’s dashboards, in women’s purses, men’s wallets, as pendants, rings, key chains, door threshold ornaments, in dresser drawers, in sports locker rooms, and on and on, in an endless list of locations.
There have been many symbols, or you may say charms, which have represented good luck to the bearer and they have been taken very seriously in their respective time and places and they include:
The Caduceus; an ancient symbol of good luck in India, Egypt, Greece and many other Mediterranean cultures…used to fight illnesses and bring peace and harmony. The snake coiled around the pole represents the balance of good and evil. This is a common logo used by medical professionals today.
The Star and the Acorn were considered to be good luck symbols in ancient times with the Star representing perfection and the Acorn attractiveness and virility to the opposite sex.
The Chinese believed that the ancient dragon mask was a symbol of good luck to the bearer, and of course the horseshoe is a modernly famous symbol of luck preventing the “evil eye” from entering a person’s life or his home.
Some other famous symbols of good luck charms are four leaf clovers (or shamrocks), wishbones from Thanksgiving turkeys, and rabbits feet which are now traditionally worn on key chains by many as symbols of welcoming good luck.
In addition to the aforementioned symbols ancient coins are worn as pendant charms with the belief they carry good energy to ward off present day evil; in addition we hear of blessing oils being worn in small vials to protect and bring good luck; and of course Lady Bugs are said to be omens of good luck and if one lands on you that is a special good luck symbol.
This is not the end of course; there are many more examples of good luck symbols from all corners of the world and the power that they have over the well being of people, whether real or imagined. This is actually a great story of cultural diversity and how it makes very little difference in the beliefs that the people of the world have in these types of good luck charms.
Tags: caduceus, four leaf clover, good luck charms, horseshoe, pendants, talismans
