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Do You Believe In Lucky Charms?

The good luck of lucky charms dates back to the very beginning of charm carrying and charm wearing. Charms in one form or another have been carried and worn by nearly every culture since the earliest of human times. Jewelry shaped like charms was created by early humans using clay, bone, and shell as early as the Stone Age. Such charms have had a variety of names throughout the centuries, sometimes being called amulets or talismans, but in the end, the purpose has always been the same – to prettily decorate the wearer while attracting good luck and protection.

Why We Love Lucky Charms.
Humans are a superstitious lot. We are also a lot in frequent need of a little extra help and support on our side. Even the most pragmatic of scientific minds can’t seem to resist having a little extra something in the form of a good luck charm in their corner (need proof? How many people stop to pick up a lucky penny or pick a four leaf clover?).

Many charm collectors start out buying lucky charms to wear on lucky charm bracelets, carry in lucky charm bags, or wear as a pendant on a lucky charm necklace. Their motivation is often sentimental or keepsake value, but it is not long before they realize the practicality of drawing in a little luck with their passion for jewelry.

Other collectors start with procuring lucky charms as their main focus. For some the draw of a lucky charm is cultural (most notably the Irish), but others simply seek to surround themselves with something that perhaps will give them a bit of a lifetime leg-up.

To be sure, lucky charms in all their forms are working, and it doesn’t matter how you keep them. Whether a single piece on a lucky charm necklace or a collection on lucky charm bracelets or in lucky charm bags, people feel better with luck on their side; whether luck is actually attracted or evil spirits are warded off is perhaps debatable, but at the very least, a lucky charm provides focus for good thoughts and positive energies.

Lucky Charm History.
Historically and in recent time, lucky charms have served two functions for wearers. The first is to attract good luck, and the second is to ward off evil spirits. This has been seen across generations and cultures.

Ancient Africans carried a foot or body part of a fast moving animal to help them escape with the animal’s speed when the need arose (funny, because obviously the animal wasn’t fast enough to escape the human!). Slaves from Africa brought the tradition of the lucky rabbit foot with them and it became a part of mainstream Anglo and American charm culture.

African people also brought with them lucky charm bags, or Mojo bags, filled with lucky objects to be carried with them. The tradition of lucky charm bags is enjoying renewed popularity. Lucky charm bags are said to produce magical effects for the bearer.

The Irish are probably the most widely known carriers and wearers of lucky charms among the English and American cultures. The lucky charm is commonly associated with the Irish people. First among the Irish lucky charm is the shamrock and four leaf clover, which were adopted from the Irish patron saint Saint Patrick when he drove the snakes (the Devil) from Ireland. The shamrock is known as the symbol of the ‘luck of the Irish’; it grows all across the Emerald Isle.

Other symbols have come to be associated as symbols of Irish luck, whether they are culturally accurate or not; nevertheless, moons, stars, horseshoes, and clovers are very popular lucky charms. These are often top choices among collectors for a lucky charm necklace and/or lucky charm bracelets, and are increasingly used to fill lucky charm bags. Such symbols are favored for their easy identification as good luck symbols and their traditional representation as good luck charms.

Other ancient cultures are being tapped for modern good luck charms, too. The Nordic peoples believed in a magical alphabet during the time of the crusades called “Runes”. Runes were carved into stones and carried by soldiers into battle. Runes are chosen now as fashionable lucky charms. They are often preferred by adults (young and old) as a more sophisticated, less child-like lucky charm and are worn more often than not on a leather or corded lucky charm necklace.

Modern lucky charms draw from each of these ancient belief systems. The lucky charm bracelets of today take design elements from these traditional cultural symbols and many more. Cultural lucky charms offer charm collectors the chance to choose something highly personal to them and their heritage. Almost every lucky charm has its own meaning, which can be easily researched and earned online. But in the end, the choice of a lucky charm and its meaning is moreover what a symbol means to its wearer. Regardless of the choice, lucky charms are fun, and functional, perhaps; charms are fun fashion accessories even for the skeptical, but whether you believe or not, it never could hurt to start carrying or wearing a few of your favorite lucky charms.

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