Rabbit's foot
Meaning
A rabbit's foot is a traditional talisman, believed to bring good luck to its owner.
Origin
The belief in a rabbit's foot as a powerful good luck charm stretches back into ancient times, long before it became a ubiquitous keychain trinket. Across various cultures, rabbits and hares were seen as mystical creatures, often associated with fertility, rebirth, and the spirit world. In some European traditions, the rabbit's foot was thought to ward off evil, while in African-American Hoodoo, it gained particular potency. Here, specific rituals dictated that the 'left hind foot' of a rabbit, killed under precise conditions—perhaps during a new moon in a graveyard, or by a cross-eyed man on Friday the 13th—held the most powerful magic. This potent fusion of ancient superstitions and folk magic transformed the humble rabbit's foot into a beloved symbol of protection, fortune, and the ability to outrun bad luck, carrying its mystical aura into the modern era.
Examples
- Before her big presentation, she rubbed the rabbit's foot she kept in her pocket for good measure.
- He claimed his rabbit's foot was the only reason he found a parking spot so quickly in the busy city center.