Good Luck Charms

Everybody wants to get lucky. But not all cultures find luck in the same way. All are familiar with the symbols of luck typical to the western side of the world. Horseshoe or four-leaf clover, anyone? Or perhaps that elusive pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Yes, all these symbols are prevalent throughout our own culture, but what about other cultures around the world?

According to Chinese astrology, the tiger is viewed as a protector against evil, theft and fire. Like the tiger, the red is also regarded as a shield against evil by Chinese culture. When five red bats are seen together, they signify the five good fortunes of health, love, longevity, wealth and virtue. In Germanic cultures, the pig represents good fortune. The cultures of ancient Greece, Sumer, Egypt and Rome surround the Mediterranean Sea and often encountered dolphins. These dolphins were recognized for their intelligence and speed, and thus well0-rsepected, symbolizing protection.

For centuries, insects have been symbols of luck in cultures such as ancient Egypt and Asia. Egyptians viewed scarab beetles as sacred because they rolled balls of dung across the ground similar to how the sun rolled across the sky. Images of scarab beetles were often carved into jewelry and worn as a sign of good luck. Fans of the Disney movie Mulan may recall the cricket given to Mulan, which symbolizes good luck in Asian cultures. And beware, ladybug killers. It is considered good luck when lady bugs land on you, but bad luck to kill them.

And so, with these new symbols in mind, maybe it’s time to switch up the old 11:11 p.m. wish with a handy dandy cricket. Or may you’d even like to keep a pet scarab beetle around when you’re feeling a bit down on your luck. As disgusting as you may find insects to be, perhaps it’d be a good idea to whip them out every now and then. After all, you never know when a little luck could come in handy.