We each have our own ideas about luck and what determines it. In ancient times, people tended to attribute fortune and fate to the gods’ will. Individuals appealed to charms, sacrifices, and oracles as a means to affect their fates. Though they did not have the modern use of the word “luck,” the idea of forces beyond control determining the course of things was already entrenched. From the Mesopotamians to the Greeks and Romans, humans created their own versions of fortune. Let’s take a journey through this rich cultural heritage to understand how the concept of luck has changed over time.
Charms Through Time
Mesopotamia: Where Fortune Began
In Mesopotamia, evidence of some of the first dice uses—marked bones that are thousands of years old—was found. The people had the belief that fate was controlled by the gods, and the role of random chance was believed to be interpreting messages from the gods. To them, luck was not just randomness—it was a message from heaven.
Ancient Greece and Rome: Gods of Chance
The Greeks and Romans embodied luck by attributing it to deities. The Greeks worshiped Tyche, goddess of fortune, whose origin was disputed—she was said to be the daughter of Oceanus by some and the offspring of Zeus by others. The Romans had Fortuna, who operated the Rota Fortunae (Wheel of Fortune) to decide a person’s destiny. To them, life’s up and downs were cyclical and not fixed.
Japan: Shinto and Buddhist Traditions
In Japan, Ebisu and Daikoku, members of the Seven Lucky Gods, represent wealth and prosperity. Individuals look for good fortune in the form of amulets and charms, especially omikuji: paper fortunes at temples and shrines. If the fortune is negative, custom dictates that it be tied to a specific location in order to leave the bad fortune behind.
Contemporary Expressions of Luck Across the Globe
Sweden: The Dala Horse
The legendary red Dala Horse originated in Dalarna, Sweden. Traditionally, the woodworkers carved them on winter nights, and the figures originated as children’s playthings but evolved into national symbols of good luck and power. Now giant Dala statues rise in both Sweden and New York, the latter painted by artist Shai Dahan.
Japan: Fortune in Paper
Luck is a serious issue in Japan outside of gambling. Omikuji fortunes are frequently stored in wallets or attached to shrine racks to control one’s destiny. For some, it’s a calming ritual; for others, a confidence booster—but always a significant practice.
China: Numbers That Speak
Numerology plays an enormous part in luck in China. Number 8 is valued for its association with the word for wealth, while 4 is avoided because it resembles the word for death. Surprisingly, 13 happens to be regarded as lucky here in opposition to most Western notions. Such beliefs of numbers even affect how individuals bet in slot machines or place wagers.
Europe: Traditions That Endure
Throughout Europe, old-world traditions continue to influence belief in luck. In Ireland, a four-leaf clover is regarded as a powerful lucky charm. Italians may wear their shirts inside out to turn bad luck around, and horseshoes, particularly when hung with the “U” shape facing upwards, are tokens of fortune kept.
Luck in North America is frequently linked with personal items—coins, pictures, or distinctive chips taken into casinos. Such objects carry sentimental value and create a sense of comfort. Dice rituals also abound, such as blowing on the dice or not allowing other people to touch them, as one believes that these contain individual fate.
Latin America: Passion and Ritual
In Latin America, calling on luck entails colorful traditions—dances, incantations, or rituals done prior to games or events to draw good vibes. It’s an energetic mix of culture, sentiment, and religious belief. Like ancient Slavic practices, fire continues to be a key component in certain rituals.
Africa: Wisdom of the Ancestors
In other African cultures, luck is also bound with a sense of respect for the ancestors. As they put bets or participate in activities based on chance, people may say a prayer softly, don some traditional amulets, or concentrate in silence, humbly looking up to those who preceded them. Such objects as carved bone or alligator teeth are reminders of protection and grit.
Middle East: Sacred Symbols and Rituals
In the Middle East, things are less showy. Individuals might burn incense or use certain spices to purify areas of negativity. The Hamsa—open hand—is well known as a protection symbol for good fortune and happiness, usually worn as jewelry or carried as an amulet.
Oceania: Lunar Luck and Natural Wisdom
In Australia and New Zealand, nature becomes important in defining belief in luck. Individuals may synchronize activities with the lunar cycle, believing the full moon enhances intuition and is lucky. Ancestral culture meets respect for the environment and forms a strongly spiritual belief about luck.
Conclusion: A Shared Human Hope
What’s surprising is the way that beliefs in luck have spread across borders and mixed across cultures. You can find a European visitor holding a red envelope in Macau, or an American slots player with a jade pendant from Bangkok. This worldwide melting pot of superstitions is more than chance—it is a timeless human aspiration. From generation to generation, from place to place, we all look for that little spark of good luck, hoping today to be our lucky day.
If you’re feeling lucky yourself, sites such as Yabby Casino provide an opportunity to try your luck with themed slots and games that reflect these cultural superstitions—whether it’s lucky numbers, lucky charms, or just the excitement of the spin. Who knows? Your lucky streak may be just one click away.
