Time-Honored Filipino Good Luck Charms and Symbols

Key Filipino Good Luck Charms and Symbols Steeped in Tradition

Luck has always played an integral role in Filipino cultural beliefs and practices. Various symbols ubiquitous in Filipino traditions are thought to attract good fortune, protect against harm, or bring divine blessings.

Origins of Common Filipino Superstitions and Auspicious Symbols

Many enduring Filipino superstitious beliefs trace back to ancient folklore, animistic religions, and influences from Chinese, Hindu, Islamic and Spanish traditions introduced through trade and colonialism over centuries.

These traditional supersitions continue shaping modern Filipino worldviews and manifest through use of time-honored talismans believed to influence fate and destiny.

Prominent Good Luck Charms in Filipino Culture

Lucky objects prominently displayed in many Filipino homes and worn on one's person include:

• Horseshoes
• Four-leaf clovers
• Ladybugs
• Arowanas or dragon fish
• Bamboo circles

These popular charms protect inhabitants, attract prosperity and represent continuity or immortality in Filipino symbolism.

Meaning Behind Auspicious Plants and Fruit

Various botanicals figure strongly in Filipino superstitions and customs intended to procure blessings and good fortune.

Narra Wood

Believed to bring positive energy (filipino good luck symbols) into a home, narra wood remains highly sought after for furnishings, building beam supports and handicrafts. Its strong, resilient nature makes it a lucky charm for perseverance and flexibility through storms of life.

Bamboo

A mainstay of Filipino architecture, bamboo's flexible strength despite environmental pressures parallels aspirations for resilience. Bamboo circles symbolize unity and continuity for ongoing luck.

Four-Leaf Clover

This rare clover mutation represents the Christian virtues of faith, hope, love and luck. Clovers offered as wedding favors ensure a blessed union. Worn as jewelry or displayed in homes, four-leaf clovers summon general good fortune.

Pomelo Fruit

Resembling abundance and fertility, displaying pomelos or offering them as gifts during Lunar New Year ushers in prosperity. The citrus fruit signifies bounty and their golden color brings to mind wealth and success.

Auspicious Colors and Numbers for Luck

Certain hues and numerals hold lucky significance in Filipino culture as they do in Chinese traditions, widely incorporated into folk beliefs.

Red and Gold

Vibrant red symbolizes fire, life force and protective power. Wealthy gold attracts full material and spiritual prosperity. These two joyful colors heavily feature in Chinese New Year rituals adopted into Filipino customs.

Number 8

Representing infinite abundance, the number 8 brings good fortune. Repeating numbers containing 8's amplifies their lucky effects. Phone numbers, addresses, personalised license plates and transaction handles using groups of 8's summon higher financial success.

Green and Blue

Verdant green symbolises renewal, living energy, growth and balance. While tranquil blue evokes stability, healing and calm. Surrounding oneself with these colors promotes harmony and equilibrium for smooth sailing through life's ups and downs.

Charms Derived from Mythical Creatures and Deities

Various mystical figures from folk tales and spiritual traditions have become fixtures in Filipino homes confidently relied upon to impart luck.

Maneki Neko

This Chinese beckoning cat with an uplifted paw summons prosperity and welcomes patrons. Feng shui positioning near entrances aims to lure bountiful opportunities.

Mystical Dwarves

Known as nuno sa punso, these gnome-like nature guardians inhabit mounds appearing near tree roots according to rural tales. Leaving small offerings secures their protection and luck when passing through forests and fields.

Deities

Statues or images displaying Ganesha, Lakshmi, Buddha or Jesus Christ signify divine blessings on a home. Altars honor patron saints while offering candles, flowers and incense secures ongoing spiritual favor.

Wearable and Carried Philippine Talismans

Lucky symbols worn on the body or kept close confer personalized protection, fortune, and other cherished benefits.

Coins

A legacy of ancient Chinese practices, carrying tikoy coins secures wealth and material comforts. The round coins represent cyclical abundance and their centers symbolize the gifting rice cakes offered during auspicious Spring Festival celebrations.

Evil Eye Jewelry

Braided bands, pendants and amulets displaying the evil eye motif ward off ill-intentions, misfortunes from envy, and shield against the curse glare believed cast by malevolent gazes.

Stones

Jewelry incorporating jade, pearls, amber or crystals infuse the wearer with attributes like courage, wisdom, purity, patience and power endowing ongoing good luck.

By embracing time-honored filipino good luck symbols, Filipinos harness generational beliefs in destiny and divine blessings to secure fortunate tidings in life's endeavors big and small.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.