Announcement: A Shamrock is Not a Four Leaf Clover
four leaf clover
Shamrock - 3 leaf clover
Stories about clover have been told since biblical times. Legend has it that when Adam and Eve were cast out from the Garden of Eden, Eve carried with her a four-leaf clover. She held it as a remembrance of the days she and Adam had spent together in Paradise. This is where some think the clover got its magical lucky factor. It is also believed that the person who finds this good luck charm will meet their future lover on that same day. If the lucky clover is given to another person immediately after finding it, the finder luck will double. Young men who do not wish to be drafted should carry this good luck charm with them to avoid conscription.This good luck charm have been used throughout the centuries and across the world to bring people wealth, love and happiness.
The lucky clover is among the commonest of North American lucky emblems. In modern times we use good luck charms to attract more money to us, fall in love, and to protect ourselves from danger. The leaves has a different meaning and they are fame, wealth, a faithful lover and good health. In the recent popular TV show “Sex in the City”, when Sarah Jessica Parker said “Best Friends are like a four leaf clover, hard to find and lucky to have.”
Good Luck Charms Around the World
Amulets and talismans are in fact nothing more or less than good luck charms and after all that is exactly what millions of people in this world look for; shop for, and crave for in their lives. What we'll be looking at here is a brief look back at the history of these good luck symbols in various cultures of the world.
These symbols are as different as the many and varied cultures of the world and differ considerably according to their times and places of origin as well as their societies and religions. After all, an amulet may certainly represent a God or a symbol of deity such as a cross or a bull or an “eye of Horus”, or another such representation according to the culture. Some societies even use gemstones as symbols of deity.
In parts of the Caribbean certain drawings are used as amulets, such as in certain types of Voodoo, and religions take into account the color of candles they use because of the significance of attractions or repulsions. Additionally, speaking of attraction and repulsion, it is believed that certain perfumes and essences have that power, while a bit better known; a rabbit's foot is credited with the powers of certain magical abilities.
We all know of course from books and movies that garlic and crucifixes kept vampires away, but it is not as commonly known that the hammer of Thor still offers protection in some places in Scandinavia and Germany against thieves. Naturally we all know about the good luck charm that is known as the four leaf clover. (Don't confuse that with the shamrock which symbolizes the Christian Trinity) Also interesting to note that elephants were said to attract great good luck and money IF…that's IF… one offers bank notes to them. Hmm, interesting, huh? And believe it or not in a small locale called Tyrol, it is believed that small bells make demons escape when they ring in the wind or when a door or window opens.
Buddhism is an interesting religion with many traditions which are somewhat unknown to most westerners. After Buddha's death circa 485 BC, amulets bearing symbols of Buddha such as conch shells, the footprints of Buddha, and others were commonly worn. Tradition really spread greatly after the 2nd century when the Greeks began carving actual images of the Buddha which were hungrily acquired by native Buddhists in India.
We all know that amulets and talismans, or when you really come down to it, Good Luck Charms in general, can be found literally all over the world among people from all nations and in all social statuses.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Roger_Goldfuss
http://EzineArticles.com/?Good-Luck-Charms-Around-the-World&id=2732235
Magical Good Luck Charms and Amulets
An Amulet/Good Luck Charm meaning “an object that protects a person from trouble”, is a close cousin of the Talisman, from the Greek, which means “To initiate into the mysteries”, consists of any object intended to bring Good Luck and/or protection to its owner. Potential Amulets include: gems or simple stones, statues, coins, drawings, pendants, rings, plants, animals, etc., even words said on certain occasions, – for example – Namo Tassa Bhagahato Arahato Samma Sambuddhasa, are used to repel evil or bad luck.
Amulets and Talismans vary considerably according to their time and place of origin. A religious amulet might be the figure of a certain god or holy monk. In Thailand one can commonly see people with more than one Buddha image hanging from their necks. Every zodiacal sign corresponds to a gem that acts as an Amulet, but these stones vary according to different traditions.
An ancient tradition in Chinainvolves capturing a cricket live and keeping it in an osier box to attract Good Luck (this tradition extended to the Philippines).
Figures of elephants are said to attract Good Luck and Money if one offers bank notes to them.
In India small bells make demons flee by their sound in the wind or when a door or window opens. Amulets are also worn on the upper right arm to protect the person wearing it. In fact this method was more popular in ancient India than wearing it as a pendant or around the neck.
Buddhism has a deep and ancient Talismanic tradition. In the earliest days of Buddhism, just after the Buddha's death in circa 485 B.C., amulets bearing the symbols of Buddhism were common. Symbols such as conch shells, the footprints of the Buddha, and others were commonly worn.
After the second century B.C. Greeks began carving the actual image of the Buddha. These were hungrily acquired by the native Buddhists in India, and the tradition spread.
In addition to protection against supernatural powers, amulets are also used for protection against other people. For example, soldiers and those involved in other dangerous activities may use Good Luck Charms to increase their luck.
Amulets can be found among people of every nation and social status. They can be seen in Jewelry-artisan fairs, museums, shops and homes.
To gain “maximum” power, the amulet and its ingredients have to be prayed over by monks for days. A top-of-the-range gold-leaf edition Amulet from a well-respected temple, costs 10,000 baht or more, (300-325 dollars), more than a month's wages for many Thai's.
The nation of 65 million people, most of whom remain very superstitious despite the rapid modernization of places such as Bangkok, has spent more than 20 million baht (625,000 to 650,000 dollars) on the Amulets/Good Luck Charms this year, newspapers say.
The scale of the phenomenon is now so large the Thai Revenue Department is looking into ways of taxing Amulet sales despite a convention that donations or money going to Buddhist temples are exempt from tax.
An Amulet/Good Luck Charm is instilled with magical qualities that keep away bad spirits. Usually worn around the neck or seen in ring form, amulets are also seen on dashboards and rear view mirrors of cars. Amulets/Good Luck Charms are particularly big in Southeast Asia.
Buddhist amulets/good luck charms have been worn for centuries in Thailand. Nowadays it seems almost every Thai has at least one. The Amulets are said to ward off evil spirits and bring Good Luck and Prosperity. In Buddhist countries Amulets are blessed by monks, usually one held in high regard by Thai society.
The prestige of an Amulet/Good Luck Charm is based on:
Who made it?
Where it was made?
The material it was made from
The beauty of the Amulet
It's reputation for bringing Good Luck
Thai amulets are not just made on a factory assembly line. Instead most amulets from Thailand are made by long time monks, who use their experience to cast spells, make sacred scripts (included in the amulet) and create magical pictures for them.
One of the lesser know facts about Thai Buddhist amulets/good luck charms, is the monks use ashes of old and sacred handwritten books as part of their magical ingredients. Each Thai amulet/good luck charm is really unique and each serves the purpose of protecting the one who wears it.
Those who wear protective amulets/good luck charms generally believe that an impersonal power is inherent in them. Although many rational and scientific minded people may scoff at those who wear them, millions of people world wide still wear them and believe in their powers.
Researched and written by Dr. Williaml Callaway, PhD. Visit his blog:
http://luckycharms-thailand.blogspot.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=William_Callaway
http://EzineArticles.com/?Magical-Good-Luck-Charms-and-Amulets&id=1180742
The Theory Behind Good Luck Charms
All over the world people have their own sets of beliefs which form an important part of our culture and just who we are. Of course, the idea of just what is this particular culture is quite a question open to interpretation yet there is little doubt that there are certain aspects of this culture which lead to other interesting avenues, etc. There are various internet sites to visit for more Interesting Information on the topic. One distinct example of how culture is reflected in practice is how people believe and make use of good luck charms. There seems to be no end to how people believe in luck and the power that certain charms can produce and fortunately, or unfortunately as the case may be, the power as believed by many may be good or evil as fantasized in many horror movies such as Dracula for example.
But moving in on examples of good fortune that is usually referenced is that of jade bead bracelets. Jade is of course a lovely semi precious stone which is generally believed to bring good luck to those who own or wear it. This belief goes only God knows how far back but is referenced numerous times in history and journals. In Asia, for example, many people have jade jewelry and/or jade displays within their homes to bring great luck there in. Again, these beliefs go back many centuries, and are part of the foundations of people's cultures. Furthermore, many lucky charms not only bring good fortune but have positive value in the opposite direction and that is in warding off evil or negative energy. So therefore having a good luck charm in the home not only brings good things to the home but it avoids the presence of bad luck.
Of course the belief in good luck charms gives one a psychological advantage also if you think about it. When one has a strong belief in something that they think will help them in some way, then chances are that belief will in fact give them an inner strength which will in fact help them psychologically. This sort of belief has been clinically tested and proven to be of value for those who believe in omens like good luck charms for example. Good luck charms may seem silly to some people but if one believes in them for what they are, perhaps a symbol of winning over losing, then they not only have beauty but a great positive value.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Roger_Goldfuss
http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Theory-Behind-Good-Luck-Charms&id=2732150
Magical Good Luck Charms and Amulets
An Amulet/Good Luck Charm meaning “an object that protects a person from trouble”, is a close cousin of the Talisman, from the Greek, which means “To initiate into the mysteries”, consists of any object intended to bring Good Luck and/or protection to its owner. Potential Amulets include: gems or simple stones, statues, coins, drawings, pendants, rings, plants, animals, etc., even words said on certain occasions, – for example – Namo Tassa Bhagahato Arahato Samma Sambuddhasa, are used to repel evil or bad luck.
Amulets and Talismans vary considerably according to their time and place of origin. A religious amulet might be the figure of a certain god or holy monk. In Thailand one can commonly see people with more than one Buddha image hanging from their necks. Every zodiacal sign corresponds to a gem that acts as an Amulet, but these stones vary according to different traditions.
An ancient tradition in Chinainvolves capturing a cricket live and keeping it in an osier box to attract Good Luck (this tradition extended to the Philippines).
Figures of elephants are said to attract Good Luck and Money if one offers bank notes to them.
In India small bells make demons flee by their sound in the wind or when a door or window opens. Amulets are also worn on the upper right arm to protect the person wearing it. In fact this method was more popular in ancient India than wearing it as a pendant or around the neck.
Buddhism has a deep and ancient Talismanic tradition. In the earliest days of Buddhism, just after the Buddha's death in circa 485 B.C., amulets bearing the symbols of Buddhism were common. Symbols such as conch shells, the footprints of the Buddha, and others were commonly worn.
After the second century B.C. Greeks began carving the actual image of the Buddha. These were hungrily acquired by the native Buddhists in India, and the tradition spread.
In addition to protection against supernatural powers, amulets are also used for protection against other people. For example, soldiers and those involved in other dangerous activities may use Good Luck Charms to increase their luck.
Amulets can be found among people of every nation and social status. They can be seen in Jewelry-artisan fairs, museums, shops and homes.
To gain “maximum” power, the amulet and its ingredients have to be prayed over by monks for days. A top-of-the-range gold-leaf edition Amulet from a well-respected temple, costs 10,000 baht or more, (300-325 dollars), more than a month's wages for many Thai's.
The nation of 65 million people, most of whom remain very superstitious despite the rapid modernization of places such as Bangkok, has spent more than 20 million baht (625,000 to 650,000 dollars) on the Amulets/Good Luck Charms this year, newspapers say.
The scale of the phenomenon is now so large the Thai Revenue Department is looking into ways of taxing Amulet sales despite a convention that donations or money going to Buddhist temples are exempt from tax.
An Amulet/Good Luck Charm is instilled with magical qualities that keep away bad spirits. Usually worn around the neck or seen in ring form, amulets are also seen on dashboards and rear view mirrors of cars. Amulets/Good Luck Charms are particularly big in Southeast Asia.
Buddhist amulets/good luck charms have been worn for centuries in Thailand. Nowadays it seems almost every Thai has at least one. The Amulets are said to ward off evil spirits and bring Good Luck and Prosperity. In Buddhist countries Amulets are blessed by monks, usually one held in high regard by Thai society.
The prestige of an Amulet/Good Luck Charm is based on:
Who made it?
Where it was made?
The material it was made from
The beauty of the Amulet
It's reputation for bringing Good Luck
Thai amulets are not just made on a factory assembly line. Instead most amulets from Thailand are made by long time monks, who use their experience to cast spells, make sacred scripts (included in the amulet) and create magical pictures for them.
One of the lesser know facts about Thai Buddhist amulets/good luck charms, is the monks use ashes of old and sacred handwritten books as part of their magical ingredients. Each Thai amulet/good luck charm is really unique and each serves the purpose of protecting the one who wears it.
Those who wear protective amulets/good luck charms generally believe that an impersonal power is inherent in them. Although many rational and scientific minded people may scoff at those who wear them, millions of people world wide still wear them and believe in their powers.
Researched and written by Dr. Williaml Callaway, PhD. Visit his blog:
http://luckycharms-thailand.blogspot.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=William_Callaway
http://EzineArticles.com/?Magical-Good-Luck-Charms-and-Amulets&id=1180742
Do You Have a Good Luck Charm?
I ask because I think I just found my own lucky charm–in bracelet form! Here’s the story:
The other day, jewelry partners Jill Heller and Amy Heilberg stopped by the Glamour office with their lust-worthy line of hand-picked vintage and contemporary jewelry. At the end of our meeting they pulled out their passion piece–The Abundance bracelet.
Inside each abundance bracelet is a mantra (of abundance), given and blessed by spiritual healer Jenny Lethbridge.
I decided to give the spiritual thing a test-drive, and after trying on the bracelet, I was met by some seriously fortuitous events.
First, I met a woman who works for UN World Food Program (WFP), an organization which offers nutrient-packed meals to children in school. During our rendez-vous we were chatting about Lauren Bush and how she is raising awareness for the WFP with the FEED foundation and her new super-cute FEED bag
Then, the very next day I found my self-sitting next to Lauren Bush at a restaurant! Crazy right?
Next came an unexpected bit of good news: After waiting two months for my deposit from my old apartment to come back, the magic slip finally showed in my mail box!
Now for the biggie: Tomorrow I am supposed to meet with Melissa–the lifestyle go-to girl–of askmelissa.com. When I googled Jill Heller this morning for some more info on her fabulous pieces, none other than askmelissa.com popped up with a post on Jill Heller, and what was the story on? Lauren Bush’s FEED bag!
Aren’t all of those connections wild? It was as if everything was meant to be! I’m attributing all those awesome happenstance things to the Abundance bracelet because the days that I don’t wear it are just ho-hum.
Do you have any jewelry that you wear when you need a bit of good luck (or have brought you good luck)? Would love to hear your stories?
Celtic Symbol Meanings
Celtic Symbol Meanings
Celtic symbol meanings are tough to track because there are minimal known surviving written records of indicating specific Celtic symbol meanings.
Quite a bit of understanding about Celtic use of symbols comes from conjecture and supposition from authorities and historians of ancient Celtic culture.
This is not a bad thing because this allows us to tap into the mystery of the Celtic way, follow our hearts, and open up to our intuition when it comes to Celtic symbolism.
Below you will find some common Celtic symbol meanings.
Triskelion Symbol meaning Triskelion:
A Greek term meaning “three-legged,” and thus this sign looks very much like three legs running. The Celtic symbol meaning here is appropriate because this symbol stands for competition and man’s progress. For more details on the Celtic symbol meanings of the Triskelion,
Triquetra Symbol meaning Triquetra:
Latin meaning “three-cornered.” It’s a holy symbol, and it’s meanings are many. It varies in its aspects of spirit, nature, being-ness, and of the cosmos. For the full meaning of the Celtic triquetra symbol,
Celtic Symbol meanings for the triple spiral are far reaching Triple Spiral:
Represents the drawing of the three powers of maiden, mother and crone. It is a sign of female power and especially power through transition and growth. See more about the symbolism of spirals here.
Three Rays (Arwen):
The first and third rays in this symbol represent male and female energy (respectively). The middle ray represents the balance of both energies. See also Yin-Yang symbols page. See also fire symbol (Arwen is the 3rd symbol down).
Single Spiral:
Represents ethereal energy radiating out (or inward depending on your perspective) Also symbolizes growth, birth and expansion of consciousness. I’ve devoted an entire page on the symbolic meaning of spiral here (blog).
celtic meaning of five fold symbol Five-fold:
This pattern also represents balance. The four outer circles symbolize the four elements: earth, fire, water, air. The middle circle unites all the elements with a goal to reach balance between all four elements or energies. See this page for more Celtic meanings for the five-fold symbol.
Threefold:
See Triple spiral. The center of this symbol represents the “hub” signifying unity of the three powers. More on the Celtic symbolism of threefold symbols can be found here.
Double Spiral:
A sign of balance and also representative of the equinoxes.
Crosses:
Represent the bridge or the passage between heaven and earth. The circle in the ringed cross signifies infinity and eternal spiritual love. see more on Celtic cross meaning here.
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Fearne’s four-leaf clover obsession
Fearne Cotton relies on four-leaf clovers for luck
Fearne’s four-leaf clover obsession
(UKPA) – Aug 4, 2009
Fearne Cotton has confessed she has an obsession with four-leaf clovers.
The TV presenter revealed to Heat magazine she takes the superstition to the extreme.
Fearne said: “I’m totally obsessed with four-leaf clovers – they’re like my lucky number, I’ve got a four-leaf clover tattooed on my arm, too.”
The 27-year-old radio DJ and fashionista also revealed Blondie singer Debbie Harry is her style icon, so she carries her picture around with her.
She said: “I love her. I carry a picture around of her quite a lot for inspiration.”
Fearne is a self-confessed shopaholic and has a huge collection of bags and shoes.
She said: “Mulberry is my favourite handbag brand and I probably have 15 of them. I love their Bayswater bag – I’ve just ordered a new leopard-print one – and then a couple of those little Mables, some of their big carriers and some luggage.
“I use my expensive bags everyday and they still look brand new. I think they are such a nice thing to pass down.”
Copyright © 2009 The Press Association. All rights reserved.
Not a four leaf clover but a 56-Leaf Clover
Not a four leaf clover but a 56-Leaf Clover
Morioka, Japan, May 12, 2009–Best. Luck. Ever?
With 56 leaves–and presumably 14 times the luck of your run-of-the-mill four-leaf clover–this plant bred by farmer Shigeo Obara may be the most-leaved clover ever discovered. The plant may dethrone an 18-leaf clover, also found by Shigeo, in the Guinness World Records.
”I never dreamed of seeing this many leaves on a clover,” Shigeo told the Associated Press. To avoid double-counting, Shigeo had placed decals on the leaves as he tallied them.
—Photograph from AP/Kyodo
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lucky charms
lucky charms
Lucky Charms is a brand of lunch cereal produced by the General Mills food company of Golden Valley, Minnesota, United States. It first appeared in stores in 1964.[1] The cereal consists of two main components: toasted bits of oats and multi-colored marshmallow bits in various shapes, making up over 25 percent of the cereal’s volume.[2] The label features a leprechaun mascot, Lucky, animated in commercials.
History
The cereal was created in 1962 by Kameron Butler. General Mills had challenged a team of new product developers to use the available manufacturing capacity from either of General Mills’ two principal cereal products — Wheaties or Cheerios — and do something unique to them. Holahan came up with the idea after a visit to the grocery store in which he decided to mix Cheerios with bits of Brach’s Circus Peanuts.[3]
An advertising company employed by General Mills and Company suggested marketing the new cereal around the idea of charm bracelets.[2] Thus the charms of Lucky Charms were born. The mascot, Lucky the Leprechaun (also known as Sir Charms, and originally called L.C. Leprechaun), was also born in 1963, a cartoon character whose voice was supplied by Arthur Anderson until 1992.[4] The oat cereal originally was not sugar coated. After initial sales failed to meet expectations, the oats became sugar coated, and the cereal’s success came to what it is known to today. Following launch, the General Mills marketing department found that sales performed dramatically better if the composition of the marbits changed periodically.[2] Various other features of the marbits were also modified to maximize their appeal to the cereal’s target of young consumers. In focus groups and market research, more brightly colored charms resulted in better sales than dull or pastel colors.[2] Holahan called Lucky Charms a “lesson in creative marketing.”[5] Currently, General Mills conducts frequent “concept-ideation” studies on Lucky Charms.[2]
