Travelers court lady luck by throwing coins, rubbing statues and commemorating potholes from here to Hangzhou. Add some good fortune to your next vacation by visiting one of these sites.
Blarney Castle, Ireland – home to the Blarney Stone, an iconic rock set into the castle’s battlements. Stories of the stone’s origin are plentiful. Placing a kiss on the Blarney Stone will endow those lips with eloquence and good fortune in matters of persuasion. Of course, in light of COVID, travelers may want to rethink anything that involves kissing and focus on good luck places you can rub or throw a coin. Read more on our blog To Kiss or Not Kiss the Blarney stone.
Hoover Dam, Nevada – For real luck, you must travel to the Nevada side where the winged statues known as the Winged Figures of the Republic keep watch over the canyon. They were made by sculptor Oskar Hansen, stand around 30 ft. tall, and are made of bronze. Touching the toes of the statue is said to bring good luck.
Rome, Italy – Wishing on a coin and throwing it with your right hand backward over your left shoulder into the Trevi Fountain means you will return to Rome. Tossing 2 coins means you will return and fall in love. Tossing 3 coins mean you will return, find love and marry. Even without luck, all the money collected goes to local charities. Browse escorted Italy tours that visit Rome.
Fushimi Inari Taisha, Japan – this 8th century Kyoto shrine is dedicated to the god of rice and sake. For maximum luck, make your way to the sub-shrines at the top of the summit to make sure your next business venture is a big success. To express gratitude to the deity of the shrine, visitors traditionally donate a torii gate whenever their wish comes true or when making a prayer for prosperity. The shrine has accumulated so many over the years it was given the name senbondori which means a thousand gates. On the back of every torii gate you will see the name of the donator and the date they made their contribution. During your visit, you can purchase an omamori which is a good luck charm or amulet. The omamori sold at the temple feature foxes & are said to bring good luck.
Nuremburg, Germany – the Schoner Brunnen, a 14th century fountain in the shape of a Gothic sire holds a special reputation for those looking for luck. The 40 colorful figures that adorn the fountain represent the world view of the Holy Roman Empire, and the two brass rings embedded in the fence surrounding the fountain on opposite sides are said to bring good luck to those who spin them. Turn the golden ring 360 degrees 3 times to create good fortune.
Hagia Sophia, Turkey – For those hoping for a health boost the main attraction of this museum in the heart of Istanbul, is the weeping column aka the Column of St. Gregory, weeping with holy water. Visitors insert their thumbs into a hole in the side of the column and attempt to rotate the finger in a perfect circle. If the thumb comes out damp, legend holds that an illness will be cured or a wish granted.
Abraham Lincoln’s Tomb, Illinois – An unusual custom, thousands of visitors come each year to rub Lincoln’s nose for luck. The nose is faded from being rubbed so often.
Lingyin Temple, China – The Laughing Buddha is a symbol of happiness, contentment and prosperity. According to legend, if one rubs the Laughing Buddha’s belly, it will bring you good luck, happiness and prosperity.
Florence, Italy – The bronze statue of a boar known as II Porcellino (piglet in Italian) on the south side of the Mercato Nuovo is said that visitors who place a coin in his mouth and rub his snout will have good luck and a guarantee to come back to Florence one day.
Statue of Juliet, Verona Italy – It has become a tradition for visitors to touch the right side of the statue’s chest for good luck.
Magic Owl of Dijon, Dijon, France – It is believed if you touch him with your left hand and make a wish, your wish will come true.
Brussels, Belgium – Rub the face of Everadr t Serclaes Statue in search of good luck.
The Guardhouse Monkey, Mons, Belgium – rub the sculpture’s head to be granted good luck.
Machu Picchu, Peru: Intihuatana Stone. Travelers press their foreheads on the stone to get shamanic vision and access to the spirit world granted.
Statue of St. Anthony’s Pig, La Alberca, Spain is a symbol of the festival with childless couples yearning for offspring known to rub its baby-making parts for good luck.
Sweden – Manhole covers on Swedish roadways are labeled K, short from kalvatten (clean water) or A for avloppsvatten (Sewage). Superstitious Swedes have alternate meanings claiming K stands for karlek (love) and A represents avburten (heartbreak). K covers are considered fortuitous, bringing romance to all who tread on them.
Fountain of Wealth, Suntec City, Singapore – The fountain is said to be overflowing with positive energy which visitors can absorb by touching the water. Visitors have a chance to walk around the smaller fountains and collect the coins which are believed to possess charm and good luck.
San Diego, CA is considered USA’s luckiest city…How did it gets that reputation? the most Powerball, Mega Millions, and Publishers Clearing House sweepstakes winners; the most hole-in-one golf courses; the fewest people struck by lightning; the least money lost racetracks and the fewest deaths from falling objects.
