Charmed, I’m sure...
The signs to help you get lucky
LADY Luck smiled on 363 people as the National Lottery created a recordbreaking number of millionaires this year.
That was up from 358 last year – with £937million handed out.
And two players bagged £7.5million on Saturday’s Lotto Christmas Superdraw.
Another player could become fabulously wealthy tomorrow, with £107million up for grabs in the EuroMillions draw.
If winning comes down to luck, what lucky charms, signs and symbols might stand us in good stead as we head into 2019?
IT’S IN THE STARS
Those born under the sign of Cancer were the luckiest lottery players, followed by Sagittarius – said to be the luckiest in the zodiac – and Taurus, lottery operators Camelot found.
WORKING THEIR OWN LUCK?
Looking at winners’ occupations, carers were the luckiest when it came to the big money this year, overtaking drivers for winning prizes worth £1million or more.
Builders were found to be the third luckiest winners.
GET SNAPPY
If you’re playing the lottery or gambling then fling alligator teeth around your neck.
Some African cultures are said to believe in them as a good luck charm, with its origins in the voodoo belief based on the animal’s power to keep his prey in his grasp. They became symbols of power and perseverance.
SHAPING YOUR LUCK
Triangles have been regarded the luckiest shape throughout history. There’s a reason the pyramids are pyramids.
The structure is seen as one of strength with the three sides representing the life cycle – birth, maturity and death.
A SHOE IN
We’re all aware of the horseshoe charm but not many of us know why they’re lucky.
The legend of Saint Dunstan from the 10th Century says he trapped the devil in a horseshoe; therefore, putting one above your door protects your home from evil. A horseshoe that faces up is said to gather luck and a down-
wardfacing one is said to cover you in good luck.
GAM-ULETS
In the Middle East, an Evil Eye amulet is said to ward off the Evil Eye – a curse received from the malicious glance of another person. Whereas in ancient Egypt, it’s the Scarab beetle amulets that are said to have warded off evil.
They represented the rising sun, and were synonymous with transformation and rebirth.
DOGGED DETERMINATION
Throughout Asia, especially in China, good fortune can often be found in the paws of Imperial Garden Lions, also called Fu dogs. The statues are generally placed in a pair outside people’s homes to ward off thieves.
You’ll find them outside palaces and temples too.
A SPOT OF LUCK
Ladybirds are a symbol of good luck – especially if they land on your hand. The spots indicate how many children a recently married woman will have.
There’s no set basis for the myth. One source may be gardeners. The role ladybirds play in maintaining a healthy garden elevate their status in the natural world.
COINING IT IN
All around the world coins are regarded as lucky.
The rule is you only pick up a coin if it’s face-side up. You’re supposed to increase your luck if you wear a bent coin around your neck or keep it in your left pocket.
It’s best to include a coin in a new coat, wallet, or shoes.
PIG-HEADED
There’s a reason we’ve all grown up with piggy banks. Pigs represent wealth and prosperity throughout Europe and in some parts of Asia.
Chinese mythology attributes honesty and diligence to pigs.
BEST FOOT FORWARD
A rabbit’s foot is apparently only considered a good luck charm if it is from the hind legs.
The foot represents fertility. If you wear one it’s said you’ll become a parent soon.
YOU’LL BE LAUGHING
If you’re going to choose a Buddha statue for your home, make sure it’s a laughing one.
It is especially lucky because it uses his spiritual wealth to bring you material wealth.
According to Feng Shui, you should place one in the west part of your home for health and wealth.
MIND YOUR STEP
Never walk under a ladder. It’s said to break the unity of the shape of the triangle it forms – so the unity either of the family (two parents and a child) or the Holy Trinity (Father, Son, Holy Spirit). If you have been careless, sort it by crossing your fingers and spitting through the ladders rungs three times.
NEVER FORGET...
An elephant never forgets, and it also brings luck. In India, the god Ganesha – in elephant form – removes obstacles and brings luck.
An image near one’s front door of two elephants facing each other with their trunks facing up is said to welcome visitors.
TURNING OVER A NEW LEAF
A four-leaf clover is famously lucky. St Patrick used a three-leaf clover to represent the Holy Trinity and Irish Druids used it as a good luck charm. The four leaves represent hope, love, faith and luck. But the odds of finding one are about 1 in 10,000.