Apr 04 (newsonjapan.com) - There are millions around the world who are superstitious in some way, shape or form, with many believing in the power of luck charms and amulets too.
You’ll often find that people carry lucky charms with them, in order to help them stay lucky throughout the day, and this sort of behaviour can be traced back centuries. Some countries are steeped in history of superstition and the like, none more so than Japan. This is one of the reasons why it is such an intriguing place to visit.
It can be argued that by nature humans are superstitious and they have been for centuries. Superstition was initially conceived to ward of the threat of evil in its earliest form, with it then used to fend off bad luck. People took part in superstitious activities, carrying lucky charms and amulets way back in the 1500s, with anthropologists finding evidence in cave inscriptions where a desire was shown by humans to ward off both bad luck and evil.
Taking a closer look at Japanese superstition, amulets and lucky charms, it’s clear to see that Japan as a country has deep rooted history when it comes to seeking out good fortune and therefore fending off bad luck. One of the first things to note is that the colour red is very important in Japan and it has been since ancient times. Men in power were believed to be protected from evil and disaster thanks to the colour red, while it’s also now believed red can ward off evil from anything.
One of the most recognisable symbols of good fortune in Japan is that of koi fish. Koi fish have been associated with good luck for centuries and they also symbolise courage in Buddhism. There are a number of legends that surround koi fish, and this is one of the reasons why symbolically they’re held in the highest regard in Japan and beyond still to this day. We’ve even seen koi have an impact in other areas too, including gambling, where there’s even a Koi Fortune slots game that is very popular with gamers. It shows just how powerful koi is when it comes to good fortune and food luck.
Coins, which were the most popular form of currency before paper and digital currency were introduced, are also seen as lucky charms in Japan. The 5-yen coin, which is often now sold as a good luck charm around the world, is said to bring the owner more money. They’re also believed to enable to the user to strike up and build better relationships with other people too.
Finally, keys and the number seven are also of huge importance in Japan too, for both good luck and fortune. When three keys are worn together, they’re recognised as a powerful good luck charm which can lead to health, wealth and love. The number seven dates back to ancient Japanese times when people could call upon the power of the Seven Gods of Fortune. It is believed that the number seven still harnesses this power and therefore its presence is still strong within Japan and Japanese communities.
