By Lindsay Der
Due to the plethora of cultures and customs around the world, many examples of lucky charms—not the cereal—exist worldwide. Here is a breakdown of some of those cultural lucky charms:
- Four-leaf clovers: Due to their rarity, in Ireland, and now internationally, four-leaf clovers represent a symbol of good fortune for those who come across one.
- Rabbit-foot: In a great number of places around the world, including Europe, China, Africa, and North and South America, the foot of a rabbit is carried as an amulet believed to bring good luck
- Dream catchers: In many Native American cultural practices, dream catchers are hung over a cradle or bed as protection from nightmares.
- Evil eye: Now prominent in Mediterranean cultures, the evil eye has multiple connotations, from bad omen to protection.
- Red: In Chinese tradition, the color red represents good fortune in many aspects of life: joy, happiness, vitality, and fertility.
- Maneki-Neko: The waving, or welcoming, cat in Japan is popularly placed in the front of restaurants or businesses in order to beckon good luck into the building.
- Elephant: All over Asia, most prominently in India and Thailand, elephants symbolize strength, power, stability, and wisdom.