Lucky Charms

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This superstition is encapsulated in an old childhood rhyme: "See a penny, pick it up, all the day you'll have good luck. See a penny, let it lay, bad luck plagues you all the day."

A variation: It's only lucky to pick up a penny that's heads up.

Rabbits are associated with spring and the return of new life. They're prolific breeders and thus are symbols of fertility, thought to bring good crops, many children, and prosperity. Owning a rabbit's foot would give you vital connections with many powerful forces (some would say dark forces, since rabbits live underground). According to one source, the rabbit's left hind foot is considered lucky because it touches the ground before its front legs.

This rhyme originated in Victorian times, although some of customs referred to are much older.

The "something old" is traditionally a garter given to the bride by a happily married woman in the hope that her happiness would be passed on to the new bride. "Something new" symbolizes the newlyweds' happy and prosperous future.

The "something borrowed" would be something lent by the bride's family, which she must return to ensure good luck. The custom of the bride wearing "something blue" originated in ancient Israel where the color blue represented fidelity.

A white wedding gown symbolizes purity. A British rhyme summarizes beliefs regarding colors of gowns:

Married in White, you have chosen right,

Married in Blue, your love will always be true,

Married in Pearl, you will live in a whirl,

Married in Brown, you will live in town,

Married in Red, you will wish yourself dead,

Married in Yellow, ashamed of your fellow,

Married in Green, ashamed to be seen,

Married in Pink, your spirit will sink,

Married in Grey, you will go far away,

Married in Black, you will wish yourself back.

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