Talismansthe gallery← talismans.guru
Folk Luck & Everyday Charms · c. 1700 – today

Lucky charms (horseshoe, clover, pig, sweep)

Meaning

The Western luck repertoire: the horseshoe (iron, crescent-shaped, points up to hold luck), the four-leaf clover (one in about 5,000), the lucky pig (Glücksschwein, prosperity), the chimney sweep (clean chimneys and a warm, safe home), the fly agaric mushroom, the ladybird, the wishbone, the acorn and the rabbit's foot.

Intent

They were given as New Year gifts, especially in Germany and Austria, and carried and displayed to bring good luck, prosperity and health through the coming year.

Significance

They show the transition from protective magic to general 'luck', and they turned into a huge commercial industry of postcards, marzipan, porcelain and charms. The rabbit's foot has roots in African American hoodoo.

History

The horseshoe as a charm is recorded from the Middle Ages, with the St Dunstan legend. New Year luck charms flourished in 19th–20th century Central Europe, and the lucky rabbit's foot became popular in America around 1900.

Making yours
Small cast or enamelled charms 1–4 cm. Marzipan, porcelain, celluloid and silver were common New Year media.
Folk Luck & Everyday Charms: the tradition

Modern Europe and America kept a rich tradition of everyday luck charms long after learned magic faded: horseshoes over doors, rabbit's feet, four-leaf clovers, lucky pigs at New Year, charm bracelets. In London, the collector Edward Lovett (1852–1933) bought amulets from working people, costers and sailors, proving that protective magic was alive in the modern city, and his collection is now in the Wellcome Collection, the Pitt Rivers Museum and the Cuming Museum. Archaeologists keep finding concealed objects in old houses: shoes, witch bottles, dried cats and ritual marks at doors, windows and chimneys.

See all 203, save the ones that feel rightAsk about having one made
Good luck charm, glass and metal, switzerland, 1965-1975Good luck charm, glass and metal, switzerland, 1965-1975Switzerland · 1965-1975Un membre de la mission américaine reçoit à l'arrière du front un fer à cheval porte bonheur : [photographie de presse] / [Agence Rol]Un membre de la mission américaine reçoit à l'arrière du front un fer à cheval porte bonheur : [photographie de presse] / [Agence Rol]France · 1917beads, amuletsbeads, amuletsVereinigtes Königreich (Entstehung)CROSS TALISMANCROSS TALISMANGreeceAbendkleid von Bernard et C.ie, Modell Porte-BonheurAbendkleid von Bernard et C.ie, Modell Porte-BonheurGermanyA Chinese lucky charm decoration of of a scholar with scrolls and with children at his feet. Colour woodcut by a Chinese artist.A Chinese lucky charm decoration of of a scholar with scrolls and with children at his feet. Colour woodcut by a Chinese artist.United KingdomThe Unique box - Good Luck assorted konfettiThe Unique box - Good Luck assorted konfettiFinlandGood luck to you! [Material Material]: finest Valencia oranges: E. Grau.Good luck to you! [Material Material]: finest Valencia oranges: E. Grau.SpainBredelaan 13, de achterzijde; Kennel Good Luck van mevrouw Paine StrickerBredelaan 13, de achterzijde; Kennel Good Luck van mevrouw Paine StrickerNetherlandsAmulette cochonAmulette cochon02024 Polish olympic team Lucky charms02024 Polish olympic team Lucky charmsPolandA postcard a lucky charm which is illustrated by a hunchback. Chromolithograph.A postcard a lucky charm which is illustrated by a hunchback. Chromolithograph.Elections anglaises, M. Baldwin reçoit un fer-à-cheval porte-bonheur : [photographie de presse] / [Agence Rol]Elections anglaises, M. Baldwin reçoit un fer-à-cheval porte-bonheur : [photographie de presse] / [Agence Rol]France · 1924beads, amulets, cowriebeads, amulets, cowrieVereinigtes Königreich (Entstehung)Abendkleid von Bernard et C.ie, Modell Porte-BonheurAbendkleid von Bernard et C.ie, Modell Porte-BonheurGermanyA Chinese lucky charm decoration of man dressed in brightly colored robes. Colour woodcut by a Chinese artist.A Chinese lucky charm decoration of man dressed in brightly colored robes. Colour woodcut by a Chinese artist.United KingdomRK Tafeltennisvereniging "Good Luck": C. van Peer; W. Vrakking en G. ScholtenRK Tafeltennisvereniging "Good Luck": C. van Peer; W. Vrakking en G. ScholtenNetherlandsCharm, good luckCharm, good luck(1914-1918); (World War 1, 1914-1918)-warsAn ornate lucky charm in the form of a hand. Chromolithograph.An ornate lucky charm in the form of a hand. Chromolithograph.Le 1er mai à Paris : le muguet porte-bonheur : [photographie de presse] / Agence MeurisseLe 1er mai à Paris : le muguet porte-bonheur : [photographie de presse] / Agence MeurisseFrance · 1915Reisbureau "Good Luck" gevestigd in Winkelcentrum "de Clinge"Reisbureau "Good Luck" gevestigd in Winkelcentrum "de Clinge"NetherlandsCharm, good luckCharm, good luckWorld War 1, 1914-18-wars; (1914-1918)An Indian drummer used as a good luck charm by soldiers during the First World War.An Indian drummer used as a good luck charm by soldiers during the First World War.Reisbureau "Good Luck" gevestigd in Winkelcentrum "de Clinge"Reisbureau "Good Luck" gevestigd in Winkelcentrum "de Clinge"NetherlandsChinese amulet hangers supposedly for good luck, Oude Pekela (2018)Chinese amulet hangers supposedly for good luck, Oude Pekela (2018)A black cat used as a good luck charm by soldiers during the First World War.A black cat used as a good luck charm by soldiers during the First World War.Reisbureau "Good Luck" gevestigd in Winkelcentrum "de Clinge"Reisbureau "Good Luck" gevestigd in Winkelcentrum "de Clinge"NetherlandsLunar Year of Rabbit Water in ManilaLunar Year of Rabbit Water in ManilaCompass encased within a shell, good luck charmCompass encased within a shell, good luck charmReisbureau "Good Luck" gevestigd in Winkelcentrum "de Clinge"Reisbureau "Good Luck" gevestigd in Winkelcentrum "de Clinge"NetherlandsQing Emperors "good luck" string of fake cash coins, Hillegersberg, Rotterdam (2022)Qing Emperors "good luck" string of fake cash coins, Hillegersberg, Rotterdam (2022)A selection of good luck charms used by soldiersA selection of good luck charms used by soldiersCharm, good luckCharm, good luckWorld War 1, 1914-18-wars; (1914-1918)Compass encased within a shell, good luck charmCompass encased within a shell, good luck charmCharm, good luckCharm, good luck(1914-1918); (World War 1, 1914-1918)-warsA selection of good luck charms used by soldiersA selection of good luck charms used by soldiersBuddha Budai good luck charmBuddha Budai good luck charmCompass encased within a shell, good luck charmCompass encased within a shell, good luck charmCharm, good luckCharm, good luck18 Mar 2000; 21 Dec 2005; 1943-1945; World War 2-warsA postcard wishing good luck illustrated by various lucky charms. Chromolithograph.A postcard wishing good luck illustrated by various lucky charms. Chromolithograph.Charm, good luckCharm, good luck18 Mar 2000; 21 Dec 2005; 1943-1945; World War 2-warsA postcard wishing good luck illustrated by various lucky charms. Chromolithograph.A postcard wishing good luck illustrated by various lucky charms. Chromolithograph.Cosplay of Shugo CharaCosplay of Shugo CharaA soldier sending good luck and wishes to his sweetheart through good luck charms. Chromolithograph after E.M.A soldier sending good luck and wishes to his sweetheart through good luck charms. Chromolithograph after E.M.Qing Dynasty-based Chinese "lucky charm" coinQing Dynasty-based Chinese "lucky charm" coinA Chinese lucky charm in the form of warrior with sword. Coloured woodcut by a Chinese artist.A Chinese lucky charm in the form of warrior with sword. Coloured woodcut by a Chinese artist.Charm, good luckCharm, good luckWorld War 1, 1914-18-wars; (1914-1918)A Chinese lucky charm decoration of man dressed in brightly colored robes. Colour woodcut by a Chinese artist.A Chinese lucky charm decoration of man dressed in brightly colored robes. Colour woodcut by a Chinese artist.Charm, good luckCharm, good luckWorld War 1, 1914-18-wars; (1914-1918)A Chinese lucky charm representing a man in a circle with Chinese lettering above. Hand tinted woodcut by a Chinese artist.A Chinese lucky charm representing a man in a circle with Chinese lettering above. Hand tinted woodcut by a Chinese artist.Charm, good luckCharm, good luck18 Mar 2000; 21 Dec 2005; 1943-1945; World War 2-warsA Chinese lucky charm decoration of man dressed in brightly coloured robes with children at his feet. Colour woodcut by a Chinese artist.A Chinese lucky charm decoration of man dressed in brightly coloured robes with children at his feet. Colour woodcut by a Chinese artist.Charm, good luckCharm, good luck18 Mar 2000; 21 Dec 2005; 1943-1945; World War 2-warsA Chinese lucky charm decoration of of a scholar with scrolls and with children at his feet. Colour woodcut by a Chinese artist.A Chinese lucky charm decoration of of a scholar with scrolls and with children at his feet. Colour woodcut by a Chinese artist.Lucky charmLucky charmA postcard illustrating a variety of good luck charms. Chromolithograph.A postcard illustrating a variety of good luck charms. Chromolithograph.Charm, good luckCharm, good luck(1914-1918); (World War 1, 1914-1918)-warsNail figure used to fix oaths and heal the sickNail figure used to fix oaths and heal the sick1291Poblacion Bulacan Baliuag Proper1291Poblacion Bulacan Baliuag ProperNail figure used to fix oaths and heal the sickNail figure used to fix oaths and heal the sick

More from Folk Luck & Everyday Charms: British folk amulets (Lovett collection) · Charm bracelets & chatelaines
Every type in the gallery

Anything in the gallery can be made, by hand, in the prescribed metal or yours and, where the tradition names an hour, at that hour or with a plain note that it was not. Numbered. Price on commission, quoted first. I reply within one business day.