Charming artifacts

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

Published on April 9, 2026

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.

Horseshoe

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.

Four-Leaf Clover

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.

Rabbit’s Foot

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.

Lucky Penny

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.

Maneki-Neko

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.

Acorns

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.

Nazar

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.

Dreamcatcher

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.

Wishbone

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.

Red String

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.

Literary friends

Go back to your childhood with these 10 endearing book characters!

Published on April 9, 2026

Image: Picsea

Let’s travel back in time, all the way to our childhoods. Can you remember that magical time when playtime was the only thing that mattered? Those wonderful, countless hours spent playing and daydreaming with our friends? Still, we’d like to focus on a different type of memory: those unforgettable bedtime stories our loved ones used to read to us. With that in mind, we’ve decided to pay tribute to 10 of our favorite characters from children's books. With a bit of luck, you’ll be able to reconnect with your inner child and thank your favorite characters for all the fun times shared. Enjoy!

Winnie-the-Pooh

Image: Gilbert Ng

In the 1920s, English author A. A. Milne took inspiration from his son Christopher Robin’s toys to create what is perhaps the world’s most famous teddy bear. Pooh first appeared in the 1926 book aptly titled Winnie-the-Pooh, which was followed in 1928 by The House at Pooh Corner.

What’s perhaps most endearing about Pooh and his friends is that they truly felt like teddy bears come to life: not only were they cuddly and adorable, but they also got into all sorts of adventures with the fictionalized version of Christopher Robin.

The Cat in the Hat

Image: Anita Jankovic

Leave it to Dr. Seuss to create such a wonderfully strange character! The Cat in the Hat, first featured in the 1957 book of the same name, is not what you would call a reliable companion. After all, he wreaks havoc in the protagonists' house, to the dismay of their tidy and orderly goldfish.

However, when you think about it, the Cat shows up at the exact moment: on a cold and rainy day, when the children are bored and alone. In that sense, this wacky character manages to both entertain the children and us, the readers, at the same time.

The Grinch

Image: Nathan Dumlao

We wish we could focus only on pleasant characters, but unfortunately, it's time for the Grinch to show up! This green creature is probably Dr. Seuss’ most famous character, made iconic by a legendary 1966 Christmas special featuring the voice of Boris Karloff. While the Grinch is definitively not a nice guy at the start of the story, he (literally) has a change of heart by the end and becomes the lovely character he was always meant to be.

By the way, did you know how the Grinch got his famous green fur? In the original Dr. Seuss story, the character was depicted as white, but by the time the TV special was being produced, the animators needed to give the Grinch a color. Director Chuck Jones chose this shade of green from a (rather ugly) car he was renting at the time.

Anne of Green Gables

Image: Josh Applegate

Like many books in this article, it might be a tad demeaning to consider Anne of Green Gables merely a children’s book. Published in 1908, this novel is suitable for readers of all ages. That said, entire generations of children and teenagers have cherished the adventures and dreams of Anne Shirley, the redheaded 11-year-old created by Lucy Maud Montgomery.

One of the most interesting aspects of this character is that she seemed to grow alongside her readers. Anne’s life is told from her childhood up to her final years throughout the series of novels. Regardless, she’ll always be that sweet, freckled girl in the eyes of her beloved readers.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Image: Krysten Merriman

Author Eric Carle proved that it doesn’t take much to create an endearing character: You just need a small caterpillar with a large appetite. Carle’s book tells the story of "a tiny and very hungry caterpillar," from its early days to its transformation into a butterfly.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar is fondly remembered not only for its amazing illustrations but also for its simple yet catchy prose. Not only was it a huge bestseller at the time of its publication in the late '60s, but it is still recommended by bookstores all over the world.

Corduroy

Image: Oxana Lyashenko

Winnie the Pooh is not the only teddy bear to make it to this list! Written and illustrated by Don Freeman in 1968, Corduroy tells the delightful story of a small bear named Corduroy and the adventures he has in his search for his missing button. In the end, he finds something better: a friend named Lisa, who adopts Corduroy and takes him home.

Over 50 years after its publication, this book is still considered one of the best children's books of all time. Teachers highly recommend Corduroy since it teaches kids about friendship while also taking place in an everyday setting.

Dorothy Gale

Image: julio andres rosario ortiz

Thanks to its legendary 1939 film adaptation, people tend to forget that The Wizard of Oz was first a groundbreaking children’s novel. In that sense, while Judy Garland will forever be the quintessential Dorothy Gale, we should take some time to honor the character behind such an iconic role.

In Frank L. Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Dorothy is depicted as a sweet, caring, and brave girl determined to not only return home to Kansas but also help her friends navigate the fantastical yet daunting Land of Oz.

Aslan

Image: Arleen wiese

Lions understandably have a royal aura: Not only have they been featured on the coats of arms of many royal families, but they have also been portrayed as kings in films and literature. However, few fictional lions have shown the warmth, nobility, and leadership of Aslan, the powerful King of Beasts from C.S. Lewis's The Chronicles of Narnia series.

In all his book appearances, Aslan has been a guiding force and a symbol of good, usually leading the human characters toward a happy ending. Perhaps most famously, Aslan helps the Pevensie siblings fight the White Witch’s rule over Narnia in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.

Willy Wonka

Image: Karsten Winegeart

British author Roald Dahl had the genius idea of taking something as universally loved by children as candy and making it even more whimsical. The 1964 novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory took us on a tour through Willy Wonka’s delightfully weird factory, showing us all the amazing inventions that came from the mind of this eccentric chocolatier.

While definitely a trickster, Wonka is also an extremely warm and caring character, eventually passing on his love for candy to the young Charlie Bucket. We couldn’t end this entry without paying tribute to what’s perhaps the most endearing film adaptation of this character: Gene Wilder’s portrayal of Wonka in the 1971 film Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.

The Wild Things

Image: Teo Zac

We’ll end this article with a book that managed to turn monsters into some of the most beloved characters in history. Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are tells the story of a mischievous young boy named Max, who finds himself on an island inhabited by monsters known as the "Wild Things."

Thanks to its incredible illustrations, this book taught both children and adults how to find beauty in things that were previously overlooked. While at times intimidating, Sendak’s Wild Things are still lovely creatures who have charmed generations of children in the 60 years since its publication.