英美文化中的幸運符 你知道幾個
Rabbit's Foot
兔腳
In the old English custom, the hare (not rabbit) was said to have an evil eye, whose glance can only be countered by people who own a hare's hindfoot.
在古代的英語文化習俗中，據說野兔(不是家兔)長着一隻邪眼，只有擁有一隻野兔的後腳的人才能正視它的目光。
In the olden days, it was said that the warrior Queen Boadicea of Norfolk, East Britain, brought a hare with her to ensure luck in battle against the Roman Empire who had invaded her kingdom.
據說，很久以前，來自英國東部諾福克的勇士博阿迪西亞女王在與入侵其王國的羅馬帝國軍隊打仗時，就隨身帶着一隻野兔來確保逢戰必勝。
This brought people to believe that the hare had miraculouspowers. However, the paganpractice of worshiping the hare eventually stopped after most Britons were converted to Christianity in the 6th century by the first Archbishop of Canterbury.
這個傳說令人們相信野兔具有不可思議的魔力。然而，到了公元6世紀，隨着大多數不列顛人在坎特伯雷大主教的教化下改信基督教，這種異教徒對野兔的膜拜行爲最終停止了。
Nevertheless, many Britons carried hare's feet in their pocket or purse. Later, rabbits were introduced in Britain from the other European countries, and since rabbits can be caught more easily than hares, the rabbit's foot replaced the hare's foot as a lucky charm.
儘管如此，還是有很多英國人的口袋或者錢包中放着兔腳。後來，家兔從別的歐洲國家被引進到英國，由於家兔比野兔更容易獲取，所以家兔的腳便取代野兔的腳成了幸運符。
Four-leaf Clover
四瓣三葉草
Clover is actually a type of wild plant with flowers shaped like cotton balls and usually has three leaves on each stem. In fact it is very rare to find a four-leaf clover.
三葉草實際上是一種野生植物，它的花朵形狀如同棉花球，通常在每一支梗上有三片葉子。事實上，四個瓣的三葉草是非常罕見的。
It is believed that to accidentally find a four-leaf clover is a sign of good luck. Moreover, the shape of four-leaf clover resembles the symbol of the crucifix. There is also an English saying "to live in clover" which basically means "to have enough money to be able to live comfortably".
人們相信，偶然發現四個瓣的三葉草是一種幸運的象徵。而且，四瓣三葉草的外形和十字架相似。 英語中還有一句諺語叫做“住在三葉草裏”，其基本意思就是“擁有足夠多的錢，能夠十分安逸地生活”。
Old Boot
舊靴子
In ancient days, old boots or shoes were said to hold the good spirit and courage of their owners. Therefore, it was a common belief that an old boot was a good luck charm.
很久以前，據說舊的靴子或鞋子能夠留存住其主人的美德和勇氣。因此，過去人們通常認爲舊靴子是一種幸運符。
For instance, if a fisherman caught himself an old boot instead of fish, it is believed that at the end of the day he would be able to catch and take home a huge amount of fish.
比如，如果一個漁夫釣上來的不是魚而是一隻舊靴子，人們就會認爲，過完這一天的時候，這個漁夫將會捕獲大量的魚，滿載而歸。
In north England for instance, the wives of sailors would usually toss old boots or shoes at the departing ships to ensure their husbands' safe journey. Old boots were also left on the roofs of old houses to fend off evil spirits.
再比如，在英格蘭北部，水手的妻子們通常會朝離港的船隻扔舊靴子或者舊鞋子，以保佑自己的丈夫平平安安。人們還將舊靴子放在老房子的屋頂上來驅除邪靈。
Horseshoe
馬蹄鐵
The horseshoe is considered a lucky symbol in English customs. It resembles the other symbols associated with good fortune in other cultures such as the crescent, half circle or "U".
在 英語文化中，馬蹄鐵被看做是一種幸運符。它類似於其他文化中與幸運有關的標誌，諸如新月、半圓或者是“U”形。
Crescent or "U" shapes are often said to be the symbol of fertilityand also possesses power to ward off evil spirit. As it is made of iron and used for horses, horseshoes are also linked to strength and power.
新月或者“U”形往往被認爲是豐饒肥沃的象徵，並且還具有驅除邪靈的魔力。而馬蹄鐵由於是用在馬身上的鐵製品，因而又被人們看作與力量和權力有關。
As such, combining all these signs of good luck, the horseshoe is regarded as a powerful device to bring fortune and keep evil spirits away. It is usually nailed to the front door to protect the household from uninvited visitors like witches and evils. However, the horseshoe must be placed in an upright "U" position so that the good fortune will be retained by the household.
因此，集所有幸運象徵於一身的馬蹄鐵就被人們看做是能招福辟邪的利器。人們通常將馬蹄鐵釘在房子的大門上，保護家人免受諸如巫師或者邪靈等不速之客的打擾。不過，釘的時候馬蹄鐵的U形口一定要朝上，只有這樣，這家人才能留得住好運。
Wood
木頭
Back in pagan times, trees were considered as sacred symbol of immortality. Touching the tree was a sign of respect to the gods after a favor has been requested, or thanks to the gods for a request that had been fulfilled.
早在異教徒的時代，樹就被視爲是永生不朽的神聖象徵。人們在祈求神靈庇佑之後，會觸摸樹以示對神靈的尊敬；或者是在祈求得到應驗後，觸摸樹以表達對神靈的感激。
After the English embraced Christianity, the people retained their belief that wood is holy as Christ died on a wooden cross. People at that time wore wooden crucifixesandoften touched them as a sign of penitence.
在英國人皈依基督教之後，人們依舊堅信樹是神聖之物，因爲耶穌就是被釘死在木製十字架之上的。當時的人們佩戴木製的十字架，並且經常觸摸它們以示懺悔。
Even now, people who are superstitiouswill try to touch or knock on wood after gloating, talking bad things about other people, making any rash statement of intent or so on, so that the action will get rid of any bad lucks during the day.
甚至現在，迷信的人還都會在沾沾自喜、講別人壞話、說出任何輕率的言論或者是做出類似的事情時，試着去觸摸木頭或者敲打木頭，期望這樣做能夠驅除一天之中所有的黴運。
