A Little Bit of Luck

“Water can both sustain and sink a ship.” -Chinese proverb

Salt over the shoulder. Rabbit’s foot. Water.

The other day, people spilled water on me twice. It’s good luck, my brother reassured me. I hope so. Otherwise, it’s just more laundering for me.

In Chinese, water signifies wealth. I haven’t heard anything similar in America. I wondered what parallels I could discover between good luck charms across Eastern and Western cultures. Here’s a chart of a few of my findings:

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Eastern
Western
Significance


Four-leaf clover
Bamboo plant
Each clover leaf represents something: 1) faith, 2) hope, 3) love, and 4) luck.

 

Bamboo is the ideal mix of the thriving water and wood element.


Ladybug
Cricket
Ladybugs help farmers by eating pests, like aphids. They’re also linked with the Virgin Mary (known as “Our Lady” to devout Catholics).

 

Crickets lay hundreds of eggs, a symbol of vitality. Their singing is revered and serves as a reminder of happiness.


Rabbit (foot)
Tortoise
The left hind leg of the rabbit brings luck. The animals are prized for their fertility, and their “magical” running ability of landing on their hind legs first.

 

Tortoises are symbols of longevity, since they can survive for more than 100 years. They also are linked to health, with their shells being used for numerous remedies.