NI believe it, but you never know. It is often with this spirit that the lucky symbols are boughtalmost with a spirit of superiority to challenge good luck, justifying himself with “is only a souvenir”. But behind the milagros of Latin America, to the Egyptian Scarabeo, the hand of fairy and the eye of Allah, There are even millenary traditions, beliefs and cultures and cultures.
Lucky symbols, the ancient traditions are renewed
Whether it is a well -likely gesture or the purchase of a real ninnol to always carry with you, Fortune is a very recurring theme during travel. Especially in lands with ancient traditions. And if in Italy there is the Campania croissant, abroad is certainly no less, on the contrary. Whether they are symbols of protection or luck or gestures to be made in temples and sacred places, little changes: having luck on their side and having faith is the essential part.
During the Second World War had for example spread among the pilots of the American Air Force the tradition of having a small council paw in his pocketa tradition spread already during depression and then became a symbol of luck and protection. In recent times, during Covid, in Indonesia the Tetek Melethe traditional masks made with the coconut palm branches: they were hung mainly on the doors to avoid all the dangers that the pandemic brought.
In Mexico and Central America the milagros and the Corazón. THE first are small metal pendantsusually they are found in local churches, and depict the individual parts of the human body or creatures: their meaning is therefore literal or figurativefor example a milagros With a dog depicted it can be used as a protection for the four -legged friend. The Corazón Instead it originates of the Catholic religionwhere it represents the sacred heart of the Madonna, but it is also a symbol of faith. Today a more prosaic meaning: in addition to having become well known thanks to Frida Kahlo, When he gives him he wishes the person who receives it luck in love or physical protection for his heart.
Middle Eastern, Egyptian, Indian and beyond symbols
Not to mention the Apotropaic symbols, that is, those who drive away evil spirits and evil eye. If in Italy the most widespread is the classic Campania croissant, One of the oldest is the eye of Allah, widespread in the Middle Eastern countries and in the eastern Mediterranean, especially in Türkiye. The reproduction of the eye in white and blue circles was already widespread among the Sumerians when the caravans crossed the area of the euphrates for the trade. Equally ancient and widespread is theHamsabetter known as Fatima’s hand, for Muslims, also called Miriam’s hand from the Jews. Typical amulet of the Middle East and Maghreb, in Arabic it means “five”, and is a symbol against the evil eye, in addition to bringing happiness and luck to those who own it. For this reason, usually it is given to those who are about to undertake a great change in their lives.
The kheperer Instead, it is the Egyptian scarabeo symbol of eternal rebirth, becoming and evolution. Also considered magical-apotropaic, its origins are lost in ancient Egypt where it was symbol of the solar cycle and therefore of continuous evolution, hope and positive change. So famous that it is also widespread among the Phoenicians, the Carthaginians, the ancient Greeks and also among the Sardinian populations. Next, also the eye of Horus, protector of physical and mental health. If in China, the most famous lucky charm of Feng Shui is the charming or Buddha Buddha of happiness, just as bamboo is a symbol of wealth, In Japan there is the cat Maneki-Neko, the “cat that nods”: symbol of hospitality, walks away the evil spirits, as well as bringing luck. And in India? Elephant aside, preferably with the argument raised, which is given to protect the house, two other symbols are the swastika and śrīyantra. The first, beyond the tragic Nazi drift, is actually a sacred Hindu symbol that indicates Buonususus, to the second instead, through an intricate game of triangles, represents the cosmic form and indicates having a complete and unitary vision of existence.
The origins of the symbols
But what’s behind all these amulets? Regardless of the meaning, these all represent the culture in which they were born and evolved very well. Often ancestral symbols, Behind their meaning there is the human need to rely on something else when it doubts about one’s own possibilities. Various talismans and amulets, more or less recognized, they enclose beliefs and superstitions that have roots in distant times and which are still maintained today. Not only simple travel souvenirs but also a symbol of safety to rely on, why not.
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