A talisman is an object or symbol that brings good luck or protection, with a long history in all religions and societies. It can be anything from a gemstone to an animal, and even a ritual verse. However, some symbols have been co-opted for negative purposes, such as the swastika and pentagram. Many people carry talismans without realizing it, such as a lucky penny or photograph.
A talisman can be almost anything that is thought to bring good luck or offer protection, but in most cases it is an object. The idea has a long history in all religions and societies from ancient times to the present day and is, in some cases, associated with elemental power. The word itself has roots in the Arabic thylasma and Greek tale, both of which translate to “initiation into the mysteries.”
Often a talisman is worn on the body or kept in a pocket. Each sign of the zodiac has a corresponding gem thought to be one for the person born under that sign, for example, and birthstones are made into rings and necklaces. However, a ring received as a gift, an inherited object, or even something found can be a talisman. Children will sometimes pocket a smooth stone that may serve as one over time. Much depends on what value, if any, the bearer associates with the item.
The Celts kept the four-leaf clover as a good luck talisman, while the Chinese caught a live cricket and kept it in a weeping willow wooden box. The pentagram, cross and ankh are also examples.
In some cases, such an object or symbol is adopted for negative purposes. The swastika that Adolf Hitler chose as the emblem of the Nazi Party in World War II, for example, was an ancient talisman depicted throughout history as a symbol of good luck, appearing in cultures around the world. In many regions it remains a positive symbol, but in the West its more recent history overshadows its roots.
Another co-opted symbol is the pentagram, which many today associate with Satan worship. It is actually a symbol that dates back 5,000 years to Mesopotamia. His early associations included angles, orientation directions, the five closest planets, and the “five classical elements” of earth, air, fire, water, and divine being. Wiccans continue to use the pentagram as a positive image believed to represent the divine nature of the elements of the earth.
Many people carry, wear or possess a talisman but are unaware of it. The lucky penny someone saves on the dresser, the amulet he never took off, his grandfather’s pocket watch, and a photograph stored in a wallet could play this role. Even something as mundane as a “lucky mousepad” can be one for a gamer or programmer.
In the Native American tradition of animal medicine, an animal can also be a talisman. The appearance of a fox at the start of a hunt would probably be perceived as an auspicious sign by many tribes, as fox medicine protects those far from home and allows them to blend into their surroundings to watch without being seen. In modern Western society, animal companions and the appearance of wild animals, such as an eagle or owl, raccoon, opossum, or squirrel, might hold special meaning to the observer.
For some, a ritual verse becomes a talisman, like the regular recitation of a short prayer, incantation, or affirmation. Even the intentional statement every morning, Today will be great! can serve this purpose. It’s probably safe to say that a person without a single object or symbol of protection and good fortune in their life is rare.
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