Lucky Words and Phrases
Introduction
Throughout history, certain words have been considered powerful and have been used as charms to attract good luck. Originally, charms were words that were either spoken or sung. The word “charm” is derived from the French word charme, which means “song.” A good example of a charm of this sort is the blessing that a priest gives at the end of a church service. Once people started writing words down, charms became associated with amulets and talismans, which are physical objects. However, the power of certain words has always remained.
A close friend of mine makes his living as a magician but is also a keen gambler. Whenever he enters a casino, he says to himself, “Abracadabra!” He considers this to be a lucky word as it’s used by magicians as a magic spell, as well as people such as gamblers who need extra luck for a specific purpose.
You may find one of the words in this section resonates with you for some reason. You might like the sound of it or enjoy reading about it. You might decide to use it because you haven’t heard of it before. I used the word nefer for a while after someone introduced me to the word. No matter what the reason might be, try using it whenever you need some additional help, or luck, in whatever it is you are doing. You don’t have to believe the word itself possesses lucky properties. When you repeat the word to yourself, you remind yourself of the concept of luck, which will make you more receptive to any potential lucky opportunities.
60. Abracadabra
Abracadabra has a long history, and its origins are lost in the mists of time. The word was first written down by the Roman physician Quintus Serenus Sammonicus in 208 CE, but it is believed to be much older than that. It may be derived from the Chaldean phrase abbada ke dabra, which means “Perish like the word.”1
The talisman for abracadabra consists of eleven lines. The top row contains the word abracadabra, the second line eliminates the final letter, and a letter is dropped in each row until the bottom row contains one letter—an A.
ABRACADABRA
ABRACADABR
ABRACADAB
ABRACADA
ABRACAD
ABRACA
ABRAC
ABRA
AB
A
This figure creates a funnel that produces powerful energy that defeats any form of evil. During the Middle Ages, it was worn around the neck as an amulet to ward off illness. Many years ago, I walked across a beach at dusk and found someone had drawn this talisman in the sand. I hope it provided that person with good luck.
Although the word abracadabra is commonly used nowadays by children’s entertainers, it has not lost its power and can be said any time you desire powerful magic in your life. It is a potent spoken lucky charm.
61. Kuwabara
Kuwabara is a Japanese word that people used when calling on the gods in ancient times. The word was originally the name of a village. When a thunder god fell from the clouds, a young girl in the village helped him return to the sky. The god thanked her and said that because of what she had done, lightning would never harm the village.
Japanese people say, “Kuwabara, kuwabara” in the same way that Western people say, “knock on wood.” It wards off bad luck and encourages good luck.
62. Bedooh
The word bedooh is considered a magical word in parts of the Middle East, Turkey, and Iran. It comes from an Arabian word meaning “he has walked well.” It can be inscribed on seals, gems, swords, and helmets to create a protective amulet that also brings luck. The Sufi writer Ahmad ibn Ali al-Buni (d. 1225) wrote: “Whoever carries this word engraved on a ruby mounted in gold is sure of constant good fortune.” 2
63. Mahurat
Mahurat is a Hindi word that means “a lucky moment,” usually when a venture is just begun. In Bollywood, Indian filmmakers call the day when a projected new film is announced a Mahurat Day.
Special days, such as weddings, baptisms, naming ceremonies, moving into a new home, and starting a new job, are Mahurat Days. In India, farmers call the days on which important activities, such as sowing or reaping, are started, Mahurat Days.
You can have your own special Mahurat Day whenever you wish.
64. Prosit
Prosit, or Prost, is a popular toast in Germany and Scandinavia. It means “may it benefit,” and is a wish of good health and good luck. “Good luck” is also frequently used as a toast.
65. Handsel
A handsel is a small gift or token given to someone to wish them good luck. It can also mean the first payment someone receives in a series of payments. This could be the first pay someone receives in a new job, the first sale made in a new business, or the first gift someone receives on his or her birthday. The word handsel is derived from an Old Norse word meaning “legal transfer.”
66. Fu
Fu or Hu is the Chinese word for good luck. Strictly speaking, it means “good luck comes.” At the time of the Chinese New Year, thousands of posters of this word are displayed, with the character for fu printed upside-down. This is because the Chinese word for “upside down” sounds the same as the word for “comes.”
67. Nefer
The ancient Egyptians had a number of different meanings for the word nefer. They were all positive and included goodness, perfection, beauty, and good luck. Queen Nefertiti was named after this word, and the most famous depiction of her shows her wearing a necklace of golden nefer beads. The hieroglyph for nefer looked similar to an upright lute, and nefer beads were carved in the same shape. People who could afford them wore small red gemstones carved into the shape of nefers around their wrists and necks as lucky charms.
68. Mazel Tov
Mazel tov is a Hebrew phrase that means “good luck.” It is not a wish for good luck, but recognizes that good luck has occurred. Saying “Mazel tov” to someone is therefore similar to saying, “Lucky you!”
The Mishnaic Hebrew word mazzal means “constellation of stars.” This relates the phrase mazel tov to the idea of being born under a lucky star, or possibly a good constellation of stars.
69. Namaste
Namaste is derived from two ancient Sanskrit words that mean “bow to you.” It is a traditional Indian greeting that involves holding both hands pressed together with the fingers pointing upwards in front of the chest, while bowing slightly and saying, “Namaste.” It indicates deep respect you feel for the other person. Because it involves no physical contact, it can be used when meeting people of different status or gender.
70. Happy Birthday
You should wish people “happy birthday” as early in the morning as possible on the day of their birthday. This brings good luck to both you and the person having the birthday. You should offer this wish to children as soon as they wake up. This provides the child with protection as well as good luck.
The tradition of saying “happy birthday” is extremely old, and was originally said to protect the person from evil spirits who might be attracted to the birthday celebration. Evil spirits were also thought to be especially dangerous at times of change, making a birthday a double opportunity for spirits to wreak harm on the person celebrating the birthday.