Good-luck charms provide comfort for those that believe in their abilities. They may be objects of personal value or a traditional figurine in one’s family or traditions. Several cultural good-luck charms date back to the early ages, some with fairly unorthodox origins to explain their significance.
A symbol of luck hailing from Japan, the Lucky Cat—or Maneki-Neko, as the Japanese call it—has been around for centuries. The figurine depicts a cat, with one paw up by its ear and the other one resting on an ancient coin. Shops often use it for its promise of prosperity. No one knows the precise story of the Lucky Cat’s creation because, “the origins of this beckoning cat is mostly based upon folklore and legends,” as said by Anthropology. Even today, it remains a memorable object of Japanese folklore and culture.
Another commonplace amulet associated with good luck, the rabbit’s foot, has been thought to come from many stories throughout the years. One such story comes from Bill Ellis, saying, “European Americans appropriated rabbits’ feet from African American customs or jokes they didn’t fully understand,” according to History. Benjamin Radford suspects the charm may have been inspired by the Hand of Glory, which originated in Europe back when an individual hanged for their crimes would be left out to discourage criminal activity in others, and some people would lop off a hand of the hanged person and pickle it to keep as a good luck charm. This being said, the relation to a criminal may also be present in the concept of the rabbit’s foot. Allegedly, Grover Cleveland obtained a rabbit’s foot from a rabbit killed on Jesse James’ grave.
Ch’an Chu, also referred to as the money frog, presumably had its start in China. The object portrays a three-legged bullfrog sitting on a pile of coins and with a mouth slightly ajar for one to place a different coin in. The likeness of the Little Dipper constellation decorates the figure’s back and the image of yin and yang appears on its forehead. Like some of the other charms, no one story has a claim of being the single reason for the existence of Ch’an Chu. It symbolizes luck and good fortune. While many people nowadays don’t understand or know the meaning behind the money frog, Anthropology says this may be because, “in our money driven society many people fail to see how money is used in peculiar ways.”
Lucky charms show an interesting side of culture and beliefs. What the object symbolizes to its possessor creates its true importance.
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