We all have our own personal views on luck and what affects it. Early societies believed that fate or fortune was controlled by the gods. People wore charms, made sacrifices, or consulted oracles to influence their destiny. They didnât necessarily use the word luck the way we do today, but the idea of unseen forces affecting outcomes was already present. From and Mesopotamia to ancient Greeks and Romans. People had their own ideas and beliefs when it came to fortune. Let us explore this cultural reservoir to understand how notions of luck have evolved across civilizations.
Charms Over the Ages
Mesopotamia & the Dawn of Fortune
- One of the first places where people used diceâsmall bones with markings, thousands of years old! You can see more on this in our post here.
- Believed that the gods controlled fate, but random chance was a way to interpret divine will.
- Luck wasnât just chanceâit was a message from above.
Ancient Greece & Rome
- Introduced gods of luck such as: Tyche (Greek) and Fortuna (Roman).
- Tyche, the ancient Greek goddess of fortune, had mysterious originsâaccording to the poet Hesiod, she was the daughter of the Titan Oceanus, while other ancient writers believed she was the daughter of Zeus himself.
- Romans believed in Rota Fortunaeâ Fortuna would spin this wheel to determine the span of oneâs life.
- Wealth and misfortune were cycles, not constants.
Shinto and Buddhism
- In Japanese Shinto and Buddhist traditions, Ebisu and Daikoku are prominent gods of luck, prosperity, and abundance, often depicted as part of the Seven Lucky Gods.
- Luck is often south after trough charms and amulets.
- Omikuji â Random fortunes written on paper strips, found at Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples across Japan. Visitors draw them to reveal their luckâranging from great blessings to bad omens. If the fortune is unlucky, it’s custom to tie it to a tree or rack at the shrine to leave the misfortune behind.
Luck in Culture Today
Today, in our modern world, the concept of luck still weaves its way through every culture. Whether it be for gaming, getting the perfect match on our blind date, needing something to go our way at work to get to the deadline on time or any other aspects of life we wouldnât mind a little wind at our back. Whatever shape it may take luck will always be thereâshaped by centuries of belief and a healthy dose of human hope.
Sweden
Swedes bring us their famous Dala Horse. The figure got itâs name from the province from where it originated, called Dalarna. The villages where our Dala comes from are famed for their horses, and the production of furniture and clocks. The carpenters would use leftover wood to carve out small Dala horses. This Scandinavian steed is usually red or reddish orange with colorful details and a harness of white, blue, yellow and green. At first it served as a childrenâs toy and carving it in long and cold Swedish nights was a fun pastime. It later became a national emblem of strength and good luck. The worldâs largest Dala Horse is 13 meters (42.6 ft) tall and 12.8 meters (41.9 ft) long, made out of concrete it weighs 67 tons. This colossus is located it the city of Avesta. You donât have to go all the way to North Europe to see a giant Dala Horse. One of them stands 5 stories tall on a side of an apartment building in the Lower East Side. Manhattan, NYC. MR. Shai Dahan, an American Contemporary artist and muralist who lives in Sweden created the beautiful artwork.
Japan
In the Land of the Rising Sun people take the notion of luck seriouslyâeven outside the realm of gambling. Shrines offer omikujiâpaper fortunes ranging from great blessing to curse. Those who draw an unfavorable slip at the shrine will often tie it to a tree or rack, leaving the bad luck behind and moving forward cleansed. It’s not uncommon to see people keep these âgood luckâ papers folded in their wallets or pockets. For some itâs a calming ritual for others it boosts their confidence but either way people from all walks of life honor these traditions.
China
Travel to The Land of The Dragon, and youâll quickly learn that numbers hold enormous weight. The number 8 is practically golden, thanks to its phonetic similarity to the word for wealth. The opposite is true for number 4 which people usually avoid because it sounds like the word for death. Interestingly, Chinese view the number 13 as luckyâthough in many other cultures it’s quite the opposite. This numerical sensitivity goes beyond superstitionâplayers let it guide their betting choices and influence what slot machines they favor. If you are interested in learning about Asian themed slots, you can check out our previous article.
Europe
Across The Old Continent people draw from a treasure chest of old-world charms. In Ireland, carrying a four-leaf clover is considered a powerful token of fortune. The rarity of the clover makes it a symbol of uniqueness and good outcomes. Â Italians, meanwhile, might turn their shirts inside out before hitting the casino floorâa peculiar yet oddly popular tradition meant to reverse bad luck and invite in the good. Horseshoes, still hung over doorways across the continent, symbolize a vessel of fortuneâespecially when the âUâ is facing upward, so the luck doesnât âspill out.â
North America
Here, rituals range from playful to deeply personal. Itâs common to see players carry a specific coin, chip, or even a family photo into the casino as one of their luck charms. These items often have sentimental valueâmaybe they were gifts, or part of a memorable win. Thereâs comfort in them, and that psychological safety net can boost confidence and performance at the table. Dice are also big in North American superstition. Players might blow on them before rolling or refuse to let anyone else touch them, convinced these tiny cubes carry their fate.
Latin America
Moving further south, we see the embrace of luck with fire and flair. Some people perform a quick dance or chant before hoping for fortune before they start an activity like playing a sport, slot game or anything else. The belief is that the energy they summon will attract the attention of benevolent spirits. You might say it’s a beautiful blend of belief, passion, and performance. While on the subject of fire, the Slavic tribes used fire in their rituals, some that remain to this day, like lighting a bone fire for certain special events and dates.
Africa
There, ancestral connection plays a key role. Many believe in invoking the guidance of those who came before them before placing bets. A whispered name, a quiet moment of focus, or even wearing traditional charms carved from bone or woodâitâs all about channeling protection and wisdom. In some regions, alligator teeth are worn as talismans, representing strength, survival, and an ability to overcome.
Middle East
In Western Asia, rituals often take a subtler form. Incense might be burned, or specific spices placed nearby during gamesâactions believed to purify the space and ward off negativity. The most common symbol for luck as well as protection and happiness is called Hamsa. Itâs a symbol of an open hand. Itâs common to find amulets and other jewelry in itâs shape. It represents the hand of God.
Oceania
In this far land nature itself is seen as a guide. Which is not that surprising when you look at how well they work on preserving nature and their beautiful green surroundings. In places like New Zealand and Australia, players sometimes align their play with lunar cycles. A full moon is considered especially lucky, believed to enhance intuition and clarity. Here, the wild forces of nature and ancient tribal beliefs blend with modern-day gaming in a uniquely grounded way.
Conclusion
The fascinating part? As cultures mix and globalize, so do their beliefs. You might find a European tourist clutching a red envelope for good fortune at a Macau casino or an American slot player sporting jade charms given to them on a trip to Bangkok. This global gamification of luck is more than a trendâitâs a reflection of something deeply human. Across time zones and traditions, we all crave a little edge, a little mystery, and the hope that today might just be our lucky day.
