How to get good luck: Legends from around the world

Legends,myths and folktales always fascinate me.They give us an insight into the local cultures; their history,beliefs,fears,hopes and more. Some of these stories are reflected on the architecture and visible even today, while sometimes, the society collectively has garnered strength or courage based on their local folklore.  (Think Wilhelm Tell and Switzerland).   Take luck for example; there are so many stories and superstitions around it, and across cultures that too! For anyone wondering how to get good luck or just in mood of some interesting trivia, here are 10 legends from around the world that are said to bring you good luck,

1. THE BULL’S (LUCKY) GROINS, MILAN

On my first trip to Milan, when I saw people spinning on the mosaic bull’s groins in the Galleria Vittorio Emmanuel, I was indeed surprised. Legend has it that spinning on the bull thrice with your right heel brings in prosperity/good luck.Did I try it out?No!Not even on my second trip.But, several tourists do so every day, every year, because of which there is quite a big hole on that spot!

Spin on the balls for good luck and prosperity! Would you do it ?

Now, I really wanted to find out about other such legends, from different countries in and outside Europe. So, I asked a bunch of bloggers if they had come across such stories about being blessed with good luck or a gift on following a local legend. I was also curious to see if they carried out the task themselves or not.I’ll begin with one other legend I came across and move on to their stories, so we can find out for ourselves!

2. THE ANONYMOUS HOODED WRITER, BUDAPEST(HUNGARY)

I visited Budapest two summers ago and while I liked a lot of things in the city, one figure stands out in my memory. The statue of the anonymous hooded writer, holding a pen. Located in the City Park near Heroes Square,he is said to have chronicled the rule of one of the kings, but there’s a lot of uncertainty behind the history. However, legend has it that if you rub his pen,you would become a good writer! While I have no idea of how that story came about, I thought there was no harm in giving it a try!What do you think?

‘Anonymous’ – The hooded writer at Budapest,Hungary

3. BLARNEY STONE AND THE GIFT OF THE GAB,IRELAND

I might be a bit of a sucker for a legend and doing something to bring myself a bit of luck. It doesn’t mean I think it’s all true, but I figure there’s no harm in trying right? If I catch the clock on 11.11, see one star first at night or somewhere I can flip a coin in, then I’ll be making a wish. So when it came to visiting Blarney Castle in southern Ireland, how could I miss the chance for an even greater legend, getting the gift of the gab by kissing the Blarney Stone?! The “gift of the gab” is like having eloquence, being able to flatter with charm and wit. Essentially, being able to talk your way out of anything. What I didn’t realise is that kissing the Blarney Stone involves dangling from the top of a castle upside down! I don’t know if I received the gift of the gab from risking life and limb (well not quite, a lovely Irishman held on to me just in case!), but it was definitely an experience I won’t forget and you should try if you ever have the chance.

-Sonja Erin, Migrating Miss .Find her on Facebook and Instagram . 

When Migrating Miss kissed the Blarney Stone!

4. THE LITTLE PIG OF FLORENCE,ITALY

Il Porcellino di Firenze, the Little Pig of Florence, is neither little nor a pig. This boar, a Florentine symbol of strength, sits on the edge of the famous Mercato Nuovo waiting for a passerby to drop a coin in its mouth. If the coin falls in the pool of below, the person is granted good luck. Otherwise, all the coins that fall into the grate are distributed to local charities so its a win-win for everyone involved! You’ll see the boar’s snout is incredibly shiny from being rubbed by thousands of hopeful hands. The superstition is that by touching the boar’s snout, one is certain to return to Florence. Here’s to hoping this “little pig” is lucky indeed!

 

–Izzy ,The Next Somewhere . Find her on Facebook and Instagram. 

Izzy rubbing the boar’s snout!Picture:thenextsomewhere.com

A pilgrim offering an object at the Cruz de Ferrero. Picture:wayfaringviews.com

Most pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago in Spain carry baggage beyond the requisite backpack. We all walk the Camino for different reasons: the recover from a break-up, as a religious commitment, a test of physical strength or, in my case, to begin the process of re-designing my work life in order to make more room for travel. There is a point on the Camino near Monte Irago where pilgrims come across the Cruz de Ferro (Iron Cross). This ancient cross is thought to date from 1103 and stands as a symbolic encouragement for Pilgrims passing by to consider lightening their burdens. You can leave a stone or other sentimental object from home–I left sea glass from the California coastline– and with that offering, ease your load. For me, the offering was a good reminder of my purpose for the pilgrimage and also the good things that I had waiting for me at home. Here is the Cruz de Ferro prayer:

“Lord, may this stone, a symbol of my efforts on the pilgrimage that I lay at the foot of the cross of the Saviour, one day weight the balance in favour of my good deeds when the deeds of my life are judged. Let it be so”

 

– Carol Guttery, Wayfaring Views. Find Carol on Facebook and Twitter.

 

The statue of St.Jakob at Rothenburg. Picture:traveladdicts.net

7.THE WISHING BELL,SLOVENIA

Legend has it that a young widow that was living in Bled Castle had a bell crafted in honour of her husband who died.  It was due to be placed in the chapel on the island in the middle of Lake Bled.  However, while it was being rowed across the lake, a storm came in and the boat and bell sunk to the bottom.  The lady was so sad she moved to Rome to join a convent.  After she died, the Pope had a new bell made and sent to Bled.  It is said that if you ring the bell 3 times while making a wish, it will bring you luck and it will come true as a blessing from the young widow!

I decided to give it a shot, just because I like making noise and thought it’d be fun to ring the bell.  Probably a complete coincidence but 5 months later my wish came true!  (Although I’m not going to say what it was because that’s bad luck…not that I’m superstitious or anything!)

Kylie ringing the Wishing Bell in Slovenia.Picture:betweenenglandandiowa.com

I stumbled upon the Karni Mata Temple near Bikaner, owing to an unplanned stop-over. What interested me were the unusual beliefs that people had about the temple.

First of – this temple was home to over 20,000 rats. People from across regions came to the temple to feed them and in fact, took back the same food that was eaten by them for it was considered to be a good omen. It is also believed to be good luck if one of these rats run over your feet while you are in the temple. And for extra good luck, you should try spotting the white rats. While I am not too fond of these creatures, curiosity got better of me and I did step into the temple to check out what it was all about. However, that was it! For I rushed in on my toes and rushed back right out after a quick tour while performing ballet. It sure was amusing to see the rats feed on milk and scurry around but I wasn’t going to push my luck any further by attempting to let them run over me. Of course, I did try the easier part of these beliefs but did not get to spot a White rat while here.

-Ami Bhat,Thrilling Travel . Find Ami on Facebook or Twitter.

Lucky rats!

9. STERKFONTEIN CAVES,SOUTH AFRICA

The statue of Dr.Bloom:Make a wise choice before following this legend at Sterkfontein Caves,South Africa.

The Sterkfontein Caves in Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa are millions of years old and home to thousands of fossils, most lying covered, still waiting to be discovered. One of the most famous discoveries here was made by Dr. Robert Bloom, who found the skull nicknamed “Mrs Ples”. The skull is about 2 million years old and its discovery provides valuable evidence of the origins of human evolution, and suggests South Africa may have been the birthplace of humankind. There is a statue of Dr Robert Bloom at the Sterkfontein Caves and legend has it that if you rub his hand, you will be granted wisdom and if you rub his nose, you will be blessed with good luck. Be careful though, if you rub both, your luck will fast run out and a darkness  will be bestowed upon you… or it just means you are greedy!

– Heather and Lisa, Klipdrifters.

10. LINCOLN’S LUCKY STATUE, LOUISIANA,USA

I am just back from visiting the exquisitely decorated Houmas House Plantation located on the Mississippi River in Darrow, Louisiana.  On the tour, I saw an amazing 68-pound solid silver statue of Abraham Lincoln that was made by the American sculptor Gutzon Borglum, who chiselled the giant heads at Mt. Rushmore.  The story goes that if you rub Lincoln’s nose, you will receive good luck, so rub it I did.  Vigorously.  Time will tell if I am rewarded.

-Carole, Berkeley and Beyond.  Find her on Facebook and Twitter

The statue of Abraham Lincoln in Darrow,Louisiana.Picture:berkeleyandbeyond.com

What do you think of these legends? Would you try out any of these tasks? Let me know if you have heard of any more legends from your country or while travelling!

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This post is linked to Monday Escapes

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