Charming artifacts

Do you believe in fortune? The origins of 10 good-luck charms

Image: Dayne Topkin

Ever felt the urge to hold onto a lucky charm? You’re not alone! Across the world, cultures have long relied on objects—from ancient talismans to modern tokens—to attract good fortune and ward off misfortune. Many of these items carry curious histories or age-old beliefs. Let’s explore some of the fascinating stories behind these enduring symbols of luck.

Image: Matt Benson

Horseshoes have symbolized luck for centuries, especially when hung above doorways with the open end facing upward to "catch" good fortune.

Historically, iron was considered a protective metal against evil spirits, and the shape resembled the crescent moon, associated with prosperity. Also, in medieval Europe, blacksmiths were often seen as having magical powers, making horseshoes doubly potent as charms.

Image: Sujay Paul

The very rare four-leaf clover is a well-known Celtic symbol of luck, with each leaf representing faith, hope, love, and luck.

Finding one was considered miraculous, giving rise to legends that only those pure of heart could stumble upon one. Druids were also believed to regard the four-leaf clover as a charm that warded off evil spirits and offered protection.

Image: Timofei Adrian

Carrying a rabbit’s foot is a superstition that originated in both African and European traditions, but this charm became especially popular in North America during the 19th century.

The myth’s origin likely stems from rabbits being associated with fertility and abundance, while the foot—especially from the left hind leg—was believed to carry protective and lucky qualities.

Image: Adam Nir

Finding a penny, especially with the head side facing up, has long been considered a sign of good luck.

This superstition traces back to ancient times when coins were sometimes associated with divination and fortune. The phrase "See a penny, pick it up, all day long you’ll have good luck" dates back to 18th-century England, though the original version actually referred to a pin.

Image: Samuel Branch

The Japanese "beckoning cat" is believed to bring prosperity and good fortune to both homes and businesses.

Originating in the Edo period, legends tell of a cat saving a temple or attracting wealth to a shop. Typically, the raised paw signifies welcoming good luck, with golden versions being more linked to financial success.

Image: Caleb Lucas

Acorns have symbolized potential, growth, and prosperity since ancient Norse and Celtic times. The Vikings carried acorns for protection against both lightning and misfortune in general.

Their slow growth into mighty oaks made them enduring symbols of patience and eventual reward, giving acorns a lasting association with good fortune.

Image: engin akyurt

The Nazar is a blue eye-shaped charm from Turkey and the Mediterranean, meant to protect against envy and negative energy.

The belief dates back thousands of years, with fear of evil eye curses appearing across numerous cultures. The charm is said to absorb harmful intent, offering protection to households, travelers, and children.

Image: Nazym Jumadilova

Originating with the Ojibwe people of North America, dreamcatchers are believed to filter bad dreams, letting only good dreams pass.

Hanging a dreamcatcher over a bed or crib was thought to protect sleepers from nightmares. The woven web symbolizes the spider, a guardian figure associated with wisdom and protection in Ojibwe teachings.

Image: Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Breaking a wishbone, usually from a turkey, is said to grant a wish to the person who ends up with the larger piece.

The tradition dates back to ancient Rome, where birds were symbols of divine prophecy. The custom spread across Europe and eventually to North America, becoming a holiday superstition associated with luck.

Image: Maria Ionova

In Kabbalah and other traditions, a red string tied around the wrist is believed to ward off evil spirits and misfortune. Its red color symbolizes life force, protection, and spiritual energy.

The practice of wearing a red string or bracelet is not limited to Jewish culture, however. Hindu, Buddhist, and Chinese traditions also use red threads or cords in similar ways, symbolizing luck, love, and protection.

Natural defenses

Why some cold symptoms are your own body acting up: Immunity 101!

Image: CDC

Your immune system works behind the scenes every minute of the day, and it has quite a story to tell. Some parts are ancient history, others are cutting-edge science. You may even know a few pieces already. Today, we are walking through some eye-opening facts that show just how clever the body can be.

Image: Javier Miranda

It is easy to imagine your blood full of white blood cells ready for combat, but they make up only about one percent of all blood cells. Even so, you have plenty to keep you safe. A single drop of blood can carry thousands of these hardworking cells, always patrolling, always ready. Small numbers, big impact.

Image: Kristine Wook

A tiny portion of people are born with almost no defense against germs. Their bodies struggle to make the cells needed to fight off even mild infections. Doctors step in with treatments that can rebuild or support their immunity. These cases are rare, but they do happen, and the good thing is that medicine moves forward, providing better solutions every day!

Image: Kelly Sikkema

Long before microscopes, people believed sickness came from a mix-up in four body fluids: Blood, black bile, yellow bile, and phlegm. If you felt sick, they figured one of these liquids was acting up. This idea ruled medicine for nearly two thousand years. Can you believe that? We now know germs cause many diseases, and that old habit of bloodletting was more guesswork than cure.

Image: owfiqu barbhuiya

Sometimes the germs are not the reason you feel bad. Your own immune system can stir up the messy part. When a cold virus hits the nose, the body sends histamines to open up blood vessels so defenders can reach the area. That swelling makes you stuffy, and the extra fluid gives you that runny nose. We know it is annoying, but it means your system is doing its job.

Image: Solving Healthcare

Your body likes a good night’s rest, and so does your immunity. T cells and natural killer cells do their best work after decent sleep. Even one rough night can make your defenses sluggish. Studies also hint that vaccines might not work as well in people who consistently sleep too little. So it really pays to treat bedtime as part of your wellness routine.

Image: Annie Spratt

In the 1700s, people noticed that women who milked cows rarely caught smallpox. Their run-ins with cowpox seemed to shield them. Edward Jenner picked up on this, tested the idea, and ended up creating the first true vaccine. His daring experiment saved countless lives and set the stage for modern immunology.

Image: Vitolda Klein

Autoimmune diseases happen when the body gets confused and attacks its own tissues. Conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and celiac disease fall into this group. Researchers have found that women are far more likely than men to develop these issues. Doctors are still sorting out why, but hormones and genetics seem to be part of the puzzle.

Image: Michael Schiffer

Your digestive tract is home to trillions of tiny helpers. They break down food and make vitamins, but they also keep harmful germs from settling in. These friendly bacteria train the immune system to know the difference between real threats and harmless visitors. A healthy gut can even lower the chances of certain autoimmune problems.

Image: Raimond Klavins

A bit of sunshine feels good, but UV light has mixed effects. Too much can weaken your defenses, even before you notice a sunburn. On the flip side, sunlight helps your body make vitamin D, which your immune cells use to get moving. So a balanced approach is best. A little sun is helpful, too much becomes a problem.

Image: Mathurin NAPOLY / matnapo

Even in ancient Athens, people spotted that survivors of certain illnesses did not get sick twice. That observation stuck. In time, Chinese healers tried a bold trick by blowing powdered smallpox scabs into healthy noses. It sounds wild today, but many who recovered became protected. Their experiment became the first step toward what we now call immunization.