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

Lucky charms (horseshoe, clover, pig, sweep)

What it is
The Western and Central European luck repertoire: horseshoes (points up to hold luck), four-leaf clovers, lucky pigs (Glücksschwein), chimney sweeps, fly agaric mushrooms, ladybirds, wishbones, acorns and rabbit’s feet. Often given at New Year.
Making yours
Small cast or enamelled charms 1–4 cm. Marzipan, porcelain, celluloid and silver were common New Year media.
See all 63, 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 StrickerNetherlandsCharm, good luckCharm, good luck(1914-1918); (World War 1, 1914-1918)-warsA 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 luck18 Mar 2000; 21 Dec 2005; 1943-1945; World War 2-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 luck18 Mar 2000; 21 Dec 2005; 1943-1945; World War 2-warsAn 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"NetherlandsThomas Sabo Charm BraceletThomas Sabo Charm BraceletCompass 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"NetherlandsOld Chinese gold coinsOld Chinese gold coinsA selection of good luck charms used by soldiersA selection of good luck charms used by soldiersPo-An-Fu,TaiwanesePo-An-Fu,TaiwaneseCompass encased within a shell, good luck charmCompass encased within a shell, good luck charm艋舺青山宮靈安尊王大符艋舺青山宮靈安尊王大符A selection of good luck charms used by soldiersA selection of good luck charms used by soldiersCarved Amuletic Plaque with Good Luck Inscriptions (image 2 of 3)Carved Amuletic Plaque with Good Luck Inscriptions (image 2 of 3)Compass encased within a shell, good luck charmCompass encased within a shell, good luck charmPaper amulet in the shape of a black cat, England, 1914-1918Paper amulet in the shape of a black cat, England, 1914-1918A postcard wishing good luck illustrated by various lucky charms. Chromolithograph.A postcard wishing good luck illustrated by various lucky charms. Chromolithograph.二崁二興宮 17 平安符二崁二興宮 17 平安符A postcard wishing good luck illustrated by various lucky charms. Chromolithograph.A postcard wishing good luck illustrated by various lucky charms. Chromolithograph.大赤崁龍德宮｜平安符(8)大赤崁龍德宮｜平安符(8)A 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.4 (Hapiness) Bats charm (crop) - Scott Semans4 (Hapiness) Bats charm (crop) - Scott SemansA 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.Bijgeloof (31249018102)Bijgeloof (31249018102)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.Putuozongchengzhimiao lucky charmPutuozongchengzhimiao lucky charmA 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.合界威揚宮 (7)平安符合界威揚宮 (7)平安符A 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.平安符｜澎湖水仙宮平安符｜澎湖水仙宮A 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.臺南八吉境五帝廟五顯大帝大符臺南八吉境五帝廟五顯大帝大符A postcard illustrating a variety of good luck charms. Chromolithograph.A postcard illustrating a variety of good luck charms. Chromolithograph.布袋鎮天宮 Budai Zhantian Temple 21 平安符布袋鎮天宮 Budai Zhantian Temple 21 平安符Nail figure used to fix oaths and heal the sickNail figure used to fix oaths and heal the sick平安符｜中寮代天宮 2平安符｜中寮代天宮 2Nail figure used to fix oaths and heal the sickNail figure used to fix oaths and heal the sickAmulet in the form of a shrine with goddess Isis and Greek inscription "Good luck at chlildbirth"Amulet in the form of a shrine with goddess Isis and Greek inscription "Good luck at chlildbirth"

More from Folk Luck & Everyday Charms: 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.