18 Good Luck Superstitions From Around The World

Did you know Lady Gaga carries a teacup and saucer with her as a sign of good luck? In certain regions of India, it is believed that seeing a pair of starlings will attract good luck while spotting one will only invite bad things in your life. Why? That’s a mystery! Good luck superstitions don’t always comply with logic. It’s funny how you can be a pragmatic, or even an atheist person. And yet you have your quirky rituals to feel protected from the adversity and challenges of the world. 

What things are supposed to bring good luck? From breaking a wishbone to crossing your fingers, there is an abundance of customs that supposedly make you fortunate. The origin of superstitions, at least the popular ones, can be traced back to cultural values, folklore, and religious beliefs. We have curated a wide range of good luck superstitions from all over the world:

1. “Fingers crossed” from Western Europe

Are you going to hear about the promotion from your boss today? Ah, keep your fingers crossed! This one has been integrated into our lives in such a way that we barely identify it as superstition. 

But it started in the pre-Christian era and back then two people used to cross their index fingers with their middle finger. It was a symbolic gesture to accumulate the power of divine spirits to fulfill a wish. Later on, Christians embraced this gesture because of its similarity to the actual wood log of Christ’s crucifixion. 

During the early days, people were persecuted for their faith in Jesus. A secret handshake came into practice to identify and communicate with fellow believers. Two persons created a fish-like symbol by touching their thumbs and crossing their index fingers. It was also a means of praying for protection from the torture of their persecutors and to ward off evils and ill-health

2. “Stepping in poop of a dog” from France

If you have ever been to France, you probably know there’s barely any French street that’s not covered in dog poop. This dark side of the country is hidden behind the sparkles of the Eiffel Tower for a long, long time. Things have gotten better over the years but the issue is still prevalent. 

French people have only tried to make the best out of a bad situation and given a fun twist to it. If you step on a poop with your left foot, it will activate your luck. But the right foot will bring you a lifetime of misery. So, next time you are in Paris, mind your step!

3. “Knocking on wood” from Indo-European countries 

“Emily and Peter are such a happy couple, touchwood”—and then you go ahead and knock on the surface of a table three times. This act suggests you genuinely manifest love and married bliss for them. You don’t want to jinx their happiness by mentioning it; hence, the knocking. 

Now let’s rewind a few thousand years. In the pre-Christian era, Celtic tribes worshiped and idolized trees as the dwelling of holy spirits. The custom of touching wood was to bring good energy and invoke safety and security from the spirits. 

4. “Bells in the wedding dress of the bride” from Ireland

Just like the tradition of having ‘something blue’ at a wedding, Irish brides carry bells as they walk down the aisle. Ringing bells on any auspicious day is an age-old custom in many religions and cultures. It’s a deep-seated human faith that the divine sound repels negative spirits and energy, restoring harmony and peace. Whether you are in a Sunday mass or entering a temple, you will be accompanied by the chiming bells almost everywhere across the world. 

These bells can be a part of the dress or the ornaments the bride is wearing. You could also find them tucked in her bouquet. The idea behind it is to shield the bride and groom and their upcoming conjugal life from evil eyes. 

5. “Lucky penny” from America

You can say it’s one of the most common good luck superstitions in America. They even have a fun rhyme around it, “See a penny, pick it up, and all day long, you’ll have good luck”. 

Coins are widely known as good luck charms for money. If you find one lying on the floor or the streets with the ‘heads’ up, it will invite good luck and prosperity. But here’s a little secret— you don’t want to slide it into your pocket if the ‘tails’ side is up because that’s a harbinger of doom. Turn the coin cover and let someone else collect it. 

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6. “Eating twelve grapes” from Spain

If you are in Spain around New Year, you might be disappointed not being able to kiss your sexy Spanish girlfriend/boyfriend at midnight. That’s right, Spanish people don’t kiss on New Year’s Eve. Instead, they have their own unique ritual to attract good luck. They eat 12 grapes with each strike of the clock as the new year arrives. These grapes are symbolized to make the next twelve months of your life merry and prosperous. 

This quirky superstition dates back to 1909 when the farms of Alicante had an enormous amount of grape harvest. They needed people to take the load off their hands. That’s when they hatched the idea of a new tradition to skyrocket the sale of grapes. Ever since then, las doce uvas de la suerte has become an indispensable part of Spanish New Year celebrations. 

7. “Maneki-Neko cat” from Japan

Have you seen those cute feng shui cat figurines with one arm lifted? Yes, it has more significance than just sprucing up your home decor. Keeping a Maneki-Neko cat figurine in homes or shops is one of the popular Japanese good luck rituals for money. Originating from a 17th-century legend, this feline character is believed to bring you an abundance of wealth and affluence. 

There are a few variations depending on the cat’s paw gestures and colors and each version has its own purpose and magical power. Let’s help you choose the right one for your home/office:

• If the cat’s right leg is elevated, it can bring you big bucks in the future
• The statues with the left paw lifted are supposed to welcome good people and opportunities in your life. This one is a popular choice among business owners to keep a steady flow of customers
• The strengths of these two types are combined in a Maneki Neko with both hands up. They are said to shield your home and bring peace to your family
• A white figurine stands for purity and positivity
• A green one will bring success in your career and protect your health
• The pink Maneki Neko is a symbol of romance and a flourishing love life

This Maneki Neko cat is also one of the unique things you can only buy in Japan.

8. “Tossing coins in fountains” from India 

Of all the rich, cultural superstitions, throwing coins into water has many nuances and meaningful purposes. Believers would make a wish and toss a coin or some other precious possession into a holy water body. This ancient Indian tradition was initiated as a way of paying homage to the sacred rivers and lakes. You will also see beautiful fountains in Buddhist monasteries where people drop coins with the hope of a desire being fulfilled.

A research paper explains further that copper is an essential mineral for our body. Tossing copper coins in rivers and ponds purified the water and made it beneficial for our health as these used to be the primary sources of drinking water back in the day.

9. “Giving away broken dishes” from Denmark

Here’s another fascinating new year superstition! Who would have thought broken crockery could change your luck? Well, Danes believe they do. In Denmark, people make a pile of broken china and porcelain dishes throughout the year. 

On New Year’s Eve, they drop by the houses of their family and friends and leave these broken pieces on their doorstep. It’s a cleansing ritual to get rid of the negative air and wish good fortune to their loved ones at the same time. Whoever receives the largest stack is supposed to be the luckiest.  

10. “Number 8” from China

You can’t imagine the value of number 8 in Chinese numerology! Its pronunciation is very similar to the word meaning fortune and prosperity which makes its case even stronger. Chinese good luck rituals for money and luck almost often start and end with this number. 

Important events like weddings or moving into a new home are scheduled on the 8th. They will be thrilled to have an office or a store on the 8th floor. A phone number or license plate with the number 8 is a sign of security and well-being.  

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11. “Saying ‘rabbit’ as you wake up” from Britain

Ask a British person, “What are the things that bring you good luck?” They might advise you to utter the word ‘rabbit’ on the first day of every month. The trick is to say ‘rabbit’ or ‘rabbits, rabbits’ or ‘white rabbits’ the very first thing in the morning before you speak to anyone else. Or else it negates the whole impact of the practice. 

The origin of this saying is often linked to Lewis Caroll’s famous 1865 novel Alice in Wonderland where the little girl follows a white rabbit through her magical adventure. Later in 1909, the Notes and Queries journal featured a British family where the kids said ‘rabbit, rabbit’ up the chimney looking for presents. This concept started catching up and became pretty well-acknowledged among the Brits. 

12. “Four-leaf clovers” from Ireland

This green little thing inevitably comes to mind while discussing Irish good luck charms. The rare cluster of leaves is considered extremely lucky in Irish culture. For one thing, the odds of finding this particular variant are 1 in 10,000. 

The four leaves represent faith, hope, luck, and love. In classical Celtic folklore, a four-leaf clover was valued as a protective shield against all malicious forces. The modern world has embraced this symbol as a lucky charm used in pieces of jewelry, gifts, and decor items for St. Patrick’s Day.

13. “Amulets” from Turkey

Good luck charms come in many forms and shapes in different countries and cultures. This particular evil eye charm is extensively used in Turkey and the Middle East. It’s a blue and white colored bead with a close resemblance to an eye. It serves the purpose of protecting people’s health and possessions from diseases, jealousy, and unwanted attention. 

Evil eye amulets have seen a surge in popularity in recent years after celebrities like Jenifer Aniston, Megan Markle, and Rihana turned it into a full-blown fashion statement. Instagram influencers took the trend up a notch with 2.2 million evil eye hashtags right now! The COVID-19 outbreak has played a major role in its increased demand as people started falling back to these charms for good luck and safety. And now they are everywhere from jewelry to home decor. Let’s take a look at your options:

• Pendants: $5 – $50
• Bracelet: $20 – $30
• Tshirts: $10 – $30
• Keychain: $5 – $10
• Dream catcher: $25 – $50
• Glass wall hanging: $10 – $30

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14. “Throwing salt over your shoulder”

If you are an avid Friends fan, you must have seen Phoebe do this ritual before she starts eating in an episode where she dates the health inspector. In many cultures, it’s one of the most effective things to do for good luck. 

Christians typically associate salt with treachery and vileness and there’s a reason behind it. In Vinci’s The Last Supper, Judas is seen to spill salt on the table. From there, his betrayal became linked with salt being a symbol of bad luck. By throwing salt over your shoulder with your left hand, you intend to visually damage the devilish character standing on your back and protect yourself from its spell. 

15. “Itchy palms” from Italy

Here’s one of the uncommon superstitions we bet you didn’t know. If your palms are feeling itchy, an Italian would congratulate you on the possibility of acquiring great wealth very soon. Some cultures identify an itchy right hand as a sign of money coming into your account. And if it’s the left hand, we are sorry to say, you might just lose your funds. 

16. “No sweeping during Tet” from Vietnam

If you are looking for things to do for good luck, Vietnamese rituals are your friend. Because that entails no house cleaning during the days of the Lunar New Year or ‘Tet’ as it is called in Vietnam. According to them, sweeping on this auspicious occasion will wipe off your fortune and resources from your home. So, for the sake of good luck, say goodbye to chores!

17. “Wishing on a shooting star”

Astrology itself is not labeled as superstition as it’s backed by scientific theories. But there are many superstitious rituals built on astronomical events to attract good luck. Wishing something during a meteor shower, for instance. It is believed that you have the cosmic forces at your back to fulfill the desire you truly manifest. 

If the shooting star goes down from your right side, you will have all the luck you want. But if it’s on your left, you are doomed for a while. In some cultures, the falling stars are seen as the souls of sinners on their way to heaven after finally being released from hell. In British folklore, they are souls of newborn babies coming down for their mortal venture.

18. “Wearing red attire in the casino”

Are you done losing thousands of dollars and desperate to change your luck in gambling? Try wearing your favorite red shirt the next time you hit the casino. Asians, especially the Chinese, believe the color red has something to do with wealth and success. Over the years it has become an effective marketing strategy. The casino owners go all out with red walls and red roulette tables to tap into people’s superstitious faith. Plus, the vibrant color boosts people’s spirit and aggressive energy. 

If you are more of a lowkey gambler, keeping it confined to poker or blackjack with friends, you can still turn your luck around. Perhaps you could invest in a new set of red dice, a red dart board, or casino chips. To make it more compelling, serve cranberry martini and red hot cinnamon popcorn at the party. Pull out any outfit in your closet that’s close to red. You never know, your tattered red sneakers might win you a fortune in the next game!

Now that you have a pretty well-rounded outlook on good luck superstitions from around the world, what are your thoughts on it? Do you think you might pick up one or two to change your luck? Or do they seem entirely futile? 

However, you have to admit that the cultural and historical depths behind these superstitions are magnificent. It’s one of the reasons they have crossed all boundaries of time and age and are still prevalent in the modern world.

I, as a child, have often tried my luck wishing on a fallen eyelash. Write your views to us; tell us if you follow any superstition common in your society. We would love to exchange more insights on the topic. 

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