Do you believe in luck? Even if you don’t, you will be amused with the below listed places, rituals and traditions around the world that people follow for good fortune. Join us to know more about such places and rituals, which are known to bring luck to those who believe in magic.
Blarney Stone, Cork, Ireland
As the saying goes, ‘Some people make their own luck’, and Legend has it that, kissing the Blarney Stone at Blarney Castle in Cork, Ireland will bring you ‘the gift of the gab’. To kiss the ‘Stone of Eloquence’ visitors must lean backward (holding onto an iron railing) from the parapet walk. Don’t believe it? Legendary Mick Jagger, UK’s Prime Minister Sir Winston and few more personalities are known to have done the same and they indeed got famous.
Fountain of Wealth, Suntec City, Singapore
Listed by the Guinness Book of Records in 1998 as the largest fountain in the world, the Fountain of Wealth is located in one of Singapore’s largest shopping malls, Suntec City. The fountain is said to be overflowing with ‘Qi’ (positive energy), which visitors can absorb by touching the water. The fountain is turned off periodically throughout the year, giving visitors the chance to walk around the smaller fountain and collect coins, which are believed to possess charm and good luck.
Abraham Lincoln’s Tomb, Springfield, Illinois
The final resting place of the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln’s tomb is decorated with statues. A whopping 200,000 people visit the tomb each year, just to rub Mr Lincoln’s nose, also known as ‘Abe’s nose’. Some believe that rubbing the nose of the statue brings good luck, and as a result, Abe’s nose has taken on a shiny golden sheen over the years. So get yourself to Illinois, and rub the President’s precious nose and let us know if it works for you.
Statue of Juliet, Verona, Italy
In a charming, romantic courtyard in the serenely beautiful city of Verona, stands a statue of William Shakespeare’s most famous romantic heroine - Juliet. It has become a tradition for visitors to touch the right side of the statue’s chest for good luck, Errrr, well legend says so. Try it for yourself and see if you can manage it without blushing!
Hoover Dam, Nevada
The iconic Hoover Dam, a concrete arch-gravity in the Black Canyon of the Colorado River, is located on the border between Nevada and Arizona. While beauty exists on both sides of the river, luck is found only on one side. Touching the toes of The Winged Figures of the Republic on the Nevada side is said to bring good luck. Try it!
Magic Owl of Dijon, Dijon, France
For more than 300 years, this carving has served as the city of Dijon’s symbol and unofficial talisman. Sitting about six feet off the ground, it is believed that if you touch him with your left hand and make a wish, your wish will come true. Damaged by vandals in 2001 and repaired soon after, no one questions that the owl’s luck lives on.
The Guardhouse Monkey, Mons, Belgium
Located just outside of the Mons City Hall in Belgium resides a small metal monkey that has become a big attraction. Legend has it that if you rub the sculpture’s head, you’ll be granted good luck. The monkey’s head has been rubbed so many times in hopes of granting people their wishes that its head is now a shiny chrome dome.
Witch Market, La Paz, Bolivia
Who would have thought that something so dreadful to the eye could be considered lucky? The Witch Market in Bolivia is home to dried llama foetuses, dried frogs, and dried turtles, along with soapstone carvings, aphrodisiac formulas, and other folk remedies made by onsite ‘witch doctors’. It is to be said that, the dried llama foetuses are the main attraction, as burying a foetus in the foundation of your building or somewhere in your yard is thought to bring good luck as it’s considered an offering to the goddess ‘Pachamama’. Spooky, right!
Statue of St. Anthony’s Pig, La Alberca, Spain
Within the historical and medieval Spanish village of La Alberca resides a special pig statue outside the parish church. Every year, a blessed pig is released into the village, where it roams the streets and feeds from the hands of the residents. At the conclusion of the festival, the pig is raffled off to one of the families who can then do whatever they please with it. The statue is a symbol of the festival, with childless couples yearning for offspring known to rub its baby-making parts for good luck.
Trevi Fountain, Rome, Italy
Unlucky in love? Then the stunning Trevi Fountain in Rome should be the very next place on your list. When the legend first started, throwing a single coin into the fountain guaranteed good health. But, over the centuries, the price list of the world’s most famous wishing well has evolved: toss in 1 coin to return to the Eternal City; 2 to meet the love of your life; and 3 to marry them. We haven’t done a survey, but one reviewer says ‘there are 2-3 engagements every night so it’s pretty lively and exciting’.
We dared to believe this and it is indeed surprising. Whether it’s good health, a prosperous career or to be lucky in love, these fountains, statues, temples, and traditions may be your golden ticket to your biggest wishes granted. If given a chance, do visit these places.
