Superstitions can be silly at times, but there is something to be said for deeply-held beliefs. If you wake up believing you’ll have a bad day, there’s an element of self-fulfilling prophecy at play, increasing the chances that you will. Conversely, if you have a few supposedly lucky trinkets on your person, you might feel better protected, even if you’re actually not—so you might take some calculated risks or act boldly, bolstered by a talisman that itself is doing nothing for you. And like an elephant with a “magic” feature, that extra boost of confidence might help you soar.
But even if you don’t believe in luck at all, the idea that some items are luckier than others is fascinating for what it can tell us about how different cultures view the role chance plays in the world. Here are a few supposedly lucky things to start you on your journey of good fortune.