7 Cultures’ Secrets for Creating Good Luck

Would you dare pick up a penny turned tails up? Do you throw salt over your left shoulder when you spill some, or is that just your superstitious grandma? Wonder why you cover your mouth when you yawn? It’s not down to bad breath — well, not completely. Don’t let demons in, or face bad luck instead of good luck.

Superstitions, sayings, blessings, curses and wishes all have roots within one another, and their common link comes down to trying to create a bit of good luck for oneself.

Whether you believe in all that or not, you can’t say you haven’t picked a penny turned face up at least once. That said, take heed from these seven cultures’ secrets for creating more good luck to manifest in your life.

1. Toss Some Dishes in Denmark

The next time a dish breaks, save it to toss at a friend’s home on New Year’s Eve. It’s a way to invite good luck to loved ones for the coming year.

Danish kids also leave small piles of broken dishes, thoughtfully organized, at neighboring homes to wish prosperity and not rouse anyone who wants to sleep in. Plus, broken dish shards in your toes in the morning as you retrieve the paper — not fun.

2. The Laughing Buddha in China

You may see many tiny Laughing Buddhas on desktops and in cars, and they abound for the reason of keeping good luck, laughter and wisdom close. Pu-Tai is called the Laughing Buddha in Chinese culture, and is a good-luck symbol also representing abundance, happiness and contentment. “Pu-Tai” translates as “cloth sack,” which is what the Buddha used to carry his few humble belongings and gifts for others.

The Buddha brings people together, and in Eastern cultures, happiness stems from social harmony. These societies value collective happiness over individual happiness, and the Buddha’s goodwill toward others is a beautiful sign of that. When you’re feeling good, luck is bound to come your way.

Besides, laughter is good for you — it soothes stress hormones and keeps muscles relaxed up to 45 minutes later. Laughter protects the heart, improves the immune system and burns calories.

3. Grapes and Red Undies in Spain

Eat grapes and lounge around in your red undies during the New Year to invite prosperity and good luck into your home. You must eat exactly 12 grapes, according to tradition, and the rule is one grape for each bell toll at midnight. A century ago, grapes abounded, so Spanish locals figured good luck should, too, and the red underwear date back to medieval times when red was the exclusive color of the devil.

Nowadays, red trends for good luck, but you should be able to substitute 12 sips of wine for the grapes, as long as you get the timing right — right?

4. Bird Poo in Russia

Bird poo means good unto you in Russia. Remember, everyone poops, and while most folks see bird poop as an inconvenient and disgusting thing, Russians view it as a sign of good times and gifts ahead. To be more specific, birds pooing on your home or car mean money arrives soon, and if more than one bird poos on you, you’re really going to cash in.

5. Accidentally Breaking Bottles in Japan

You’ve seen people clap when a server accidentally breaks a dish, but don’t worry — it’s not as rude as you may think.

Legend has it that a bartender in Okinawa, Japan, broke a whole bottle of expensive Scotch, but he didn’t get in trouble. The owner felt happy, since breaking a bottle invites good luck and more profit, according to superstition. Doing it on purpose never counts. You have to accidentally break a bottle.

Bonus points for taking the shards and making a mosaic. Spread the positivity, and don’t focus on the negative to invite good luck. Those who feel unlucky overlook good happenings in their life, and this story teaches you to learn from mistakes and focus on the good stuff.

6. Wedding Tree Planting in Switzerland and the Netherlands

In Switzerland and the Netherlands, newlyweds plant a pine tree outside their home to encourage fertility and good luck in their marriage. Some couples plant the tree during the ceremony. That adds a whole new meaning to the family tree!

7. “Rabbit” in the UK

Those in the UK say to make “rabbit” your first word upon waking up on the first day of the first month for a lucky month ahead. If you forget, say “rabbit” backwards twice in the evening before bed — ”Tibbar, tibbar!”

From the everyday to your wedding day, take a little inspiration from these cultures to create good luck and positivity in your life. Positivity spreads the good vibes.