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.
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