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Europe - Western

Lucky Charms of Germany

20 charms from this country

Charm Traditions in Germany

Germany has a wonderfully specific and charming set of New Year's luck traditions. The little marzipan pig (Glücksschwein — lucky pig) is one of Europe's most beloved and distinctly German lucky charms, given as a gift on New Year's Eve. The chimney sweep (Schornsteinfeger) is perhaps the luckiest person to encounter in Germany: touching their buttons or shaking their hand is said to transfer tremendous luck, and their image appears on New Year's cards and chocolate figurines.

The four-leaf clover is universally lucky, and the horseshoe (Hufeisen) is hung over doors. Acorns are lucky because the mighty oak grows from such a small seed — small acorn pendants and motifs are common in German jewelry. The ladybug (Marienkäfer — Mary's beetle) is considered a blessing from the Virgin Mary. Mushrooms (particularly the red-and-white fly agaric, the Glückspilz) are distinctly German lucky symbols that appear on New Year's decorations.

Popular Charms in Germany

A bright green four-leaf clover with dew drops on each leaf

Four-Leaf Clover

Ireland

The rarest clover mutation, treasured as nature's own lucky charm.

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A worn iron horseshoe with seven nail holes against a rustic wooden background

Horseshoe

United Kingdom

An iron crescent hung above doorways to catch and hold good luck.

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A small fluffy rabbit's foot charm attached to a silver chain and keyring

Rabbit's Foot

United Kingdom

The carried token of the animal renowned across cultures for its fecundity and quick fortune.

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A bright red ladybug with seven black spots resting on a green leaf

Ladybug

United Kingdom

The spotted red beetle that brings good fortune to whoever it lands upon.

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A dried golden wishbone from a roast chicken, positioned ready for the traditional pull

Wishbone

United Kingdom

The forked bird bone over which two people compete for their heart's desire.

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A shiny copper penny lying heads-up on a pavement crack

Lucky Penny

United Kingdom

The humble copper coin that promises a turn of fortune when found heads-up.

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An ornate antique skeleton key with clover-shaped bow, on a fine gold chain

Key Charm

Germany

The symbol of access, knowledge, and new beginnings that unlocks the doors of fortune.

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A pair of red fuzzy dice with white dots, dangling from a vintage car mirror

Lucky Dice

United Kingdom

The pair of spotted cubes that embody chance itself, transformed into a personal lucky talisman.

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A small ceramic chimney sweep figurine in black coat and top hat holding a tiny ladder

Chimney Sweep

United Kingdom

The soot-covered bringer of luck whose handshake at a wedding guarantees happiness.

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A pink marzipan pig with a four-leaf clover decoration, traditional German New Year gift

Lucky Pig

Germany

The pink porker at the heart of Germanic New Year luck traditions.

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A sprig of mistletoe with white berries and paired green leaves tied with a red ribbon

Mistletoe

United Kingdom

The parasite plant the druids held sacred, bridging worlds and granting protection.

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A gold charm in the shape of the number 7, polished to a brilliant shine

Number Seven

United Kingdom

The most universally lucky number in Western culture, encoded in the cosmos itself.

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A gold ceramic lucky cat with raised right paw and a red bib collar, sitting in a shop window

Lucky Cat (European Maneki-neko)

Netherlands

The beckoning cat that arrived from Japan and was adopted into European luck tradition.

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A close-up of white woolly edelweiss flowers growing from a grey Alpine rock face

Edelweiss

Austria

The rare Alpine flower that signals courage, purity, and devotion to those who seek it.

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A traditional Staffordshire Knot corn dolly woven from golden wheat straw, hanging with a red ribbon

Wickerwork Corn Dolly

United Kingdom

The woven straw figure that captures the harvest spirit and releases it for next year's crop.

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A glossy brown acorn with its cap still attached, sitting on an autumn leaf

Acorn

United Kingdom

The tiny seed of the mighty oak, carried for slow-growing but lasting luck.

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A silver anchor charm with a small chain and ring, worn as a necklace pendant

Anchor Charm

United Kingdom

The symbol of steadfast hope that holds a life firm against the strongest currents.

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An old German silver coin with patina, kept in a small velvet pouch as a Glückspfennig

Glückspfennig

Germany

The German lucky penny, a coin charm that anchors prosperity in the home.

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A small ceramic Schornsteinfeger in black professional attire carrying a tiny ladder and bag

Schornsteinfeger Figurine

Germany

The specific German chimney sweep figurine given at New Year for warmth and safety all year.

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A polished badger canine tooth on a simple leather cord, traditional British luck charm

Badger Tooth

United Kingdom

The tenacious digger's tooth, carried by gamblers and seekers of hidden treasures.

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