What is luck?!

What is luck....

'baby don't hurt me, don't hurt me, no more...'

(Ok, not the words, but good luck getting that out of your head all day!)

Luck is something that most of us might talk about on a day to day basis without giving it much thought. You might wish someone 'good luck' as they start a challenging task. You probably call someone 'lucky' as they narrowly escape an accident or find a quarter on the ground. Or you might press your own luck and buy a lottery ticket.

Some of the many, many lucky symbols (source)

The term 'luck' is something that we are surrounded by everyday. But I want to know what it really means to you.

So, what do you think 'luck' is?

(answer, but come back, there is more below! :))

www.skinnyscoop.com

 (OR you can jump here for a sec and take the poll)

The reason luck has really been on my mind lately is because of these danged ongoing hockey playoffs. We talk a lot about luck during this time of the year. The hubs will say "wish me luck" or even better "sell your soul to the devil so we can win", which is another way of him saying 'bring us luck', haha.

The people who own the restaurant down the street told us that they do a prayer and a special rosary bead ritual before every game to help the guys. I am dead serious, and so were they!

Yes, I realize this is more a religious ritual than superstitious ritual, but nonetheless, it is done to help bring luck and success to the team.

But by no means is this post about the difference or relation between religion and luck.

Not getting into that :)

Anyways, I did wanted to share a few lucky symbols and hand gestures people around the world do to help bring them good fortune.

I could go on and on about the different symbols of luck throughout the world. From Elephants in India to Pigs in Germany, there really were just too many to name.

But I did find some interesting hand gestures that people do in different countries to help bring good luck to them and others.

And no, none of them listed flipping the bird as good luck! ha.

In English speaking countries, as most of you know, the common hand gesture for luck is the two crossed fingers, usually the index and middle finger.

It is even the symbol of the national UK Lottery. Seems appropriate! 

You are going to need all the luck you can get with those odds! (source)

I always found it odd that it was both a symbol of luck and one of telling a lie or breaking a promise. You have seen it in countless cheesy movies. The villain promises to keep a secret all the while crossing his fingers behind his back.

**But here in Germany, as well as other countries in Europe (i.e. Slovakia, Serbia, Czech Republic, Poland) they do something a little different. They daumen drücken, or press their thumbs.

This is done by bending your thumb into a closed fist.

Hey, whatever will help, right?! (source)

Some Germans swear to only do one hand like this, and some do both. I really kind of like this one. When I am stressing at a game, it kind of relieves some of the pressure by pressing on the thumb!

**I came across another hand sign that's done for good luck and to ward off the evil eye. This one comes from the Italian culture.

You extend your pinkie and index finger while keeping the others folded back. Supposedly it is to ward off an evil spirit that someone has cast on you.

No, sorry University of Texas fans, they aren't supporting the Longhorns, they are doing for their luck and health.

Go UT!? No, go away evil eye! (source)

**While this next hand sign has a variety of meanings, even sexual connotations, in some parts of the modern day world, it can still be a sign of luck.

It is refereed to as The Fig, and it is formed when the hand makes a fist with the thumb between the index and middle fingers. Or, as I like to refer to it as, the "I Got Your Nose" hand sign.

Yeah, see, after saying that you know exactly what I am talking about!

Come on, everyone had a lame Uncle who would do this trick (source)

In ancient Greece and Rome it was used as a positive gesture to ward off the evil eye and promote luck and fertility. From what I have read, the symbol is still depicted in carved images in Portugal and Brazil for good luck talismans.

**And my favorite. While not exactly a hand gesture, the figurine is making a lucky gesture that is often misunderstood in the Western world.

The Maneki Neko

Well hello there! (source)

Love this cute little 'waving' kitty. Often seen in windows of Japanese restaurants, Maneki Neko is believed to bring good luck to the owner.

BUT this feline isn't waving, it is beckoning. Which is why it's name is literally "Beckoning Cat". The Japanese beckon people by holding up the hand, palm outwards, and curling the fingers repeatedly up and down. It is their version of our 'come hither' one finger curl in we do.

So the cat isn't waving to customers as they come in, but rather beckoning customers in. Hence bringing guest, money and good fortune and luck to the owner.

And he is just so darn cute while doing so!

So, while I find a way - and enough hands - to do all of the symbols at once for the game tonight, you tell me what you do to bring good luck!