Horseshoe, clover, elephant: the luck people carry
Where the horseshoe, the four-leaf clover, the wishbone and the elephant come from as signs of luck, and how to wear one in gold.
A horseshoe, a four-leaf clover and an elephant are three old signs of good luck, and each can be worn in gold as a small reminder to expect the best. Each began somewhere ordinary: a shoe nailed above a door, a clover found in a field, an elephant set facing the door with its trunk up.
A shoe above the door
The horseshoe is the best known luck symbol in the English-speaking world, and it started as hardware. A blacksmith nailed it to a horse's hoof. Over time, people began nailing a spare one over a door.
In gold it keeps that plain, open arc. The Fortune Horseshoe Charm is set with diamonds, in 14K or 18K gold. The Lucky Path Horseshoe Charm spaces its diamonds along the arc, and each one is set by hand, so the light moves around the curve stone by stone.
There is a friendly argument about which way a horseshoe should point. Open end up, the shoe holds the luck like a cup, so it cannot run out. Open end down, the luck pours out over whoever walks beneath it. Both are old customs, and people hold strong opinions about each. Choose whichever feels right to you, and if the direction matters, look at the product photograph before you choose the charm.
Luck as a habit
We do not claim that a charm changes anything. A luck charm is worn the way a favorite song is played: because it feels good to have around.
What it offers is a habit. You touch the horseshoe before a meeting. You glance at the clover on a hard day. The symbol becomes a small prompt to hope, and that is the whole of its work.
Four leaves
Most clover has three leaves. A four-leaf clover is a rare change in the plant, which is why finding one feels like luck. A popular saying gives each of the four leaves a word: faith, hope, love and luck. It is a lovely idea, though not a doctrine. Read it into the charm or leave it alone.
Our clover lives inside two medallions, among other signs of luck. The Fortune Icons Medallion carries a clover, a heart, a protective eye and an elephant. The Destiny Symbols Medallion carries a four-leaf clover, a wishbone, a protective eye and an elephant, framed by a diamond halo. If you want several kinds of luck in one place, a single medallion does it.
The wishbone
The wishbone comes from the table. After a meal, two people each pull one end of the bone, and whoever is left holding the longer piece gets a wish. It is a small, playful symbol, and our Wishbone Charm keeps it that way, in pavé diamonds.
The elephant
In several cultures, elephants stand for good fortune, memory and steady strength. Some people say an elephant should face the door with its trunk up, so that luck can come in.
We make two. The Elephant of Fortune Charm, shown at the top of this page, has a diamond-pavé head and trunk. The Guardian Elephant Charm shows the whole animal set with pavé diamonds. If you want a luck charm with some weight to it, the elephant is the one: a strong, calm shape that holds its own on a chain.
Wearing it
The simplest way is one charm alone on a fine chain, and our note on which chain suits a charm helps you choose it. Luck and protection are often worn together, so a horseshoe or an elephant sits naturally beside a protective eye; our guide to the protective eye explains why. Two or three charms can share one chain, as we show in how many charms to wear.
A luck charm also makes an easy gift for a new job, a move, an exam or a new baby, and there are more ideas in our gift guide by moment. You can place any of these on a chain and see them worn in Design your own.
Ilene Joy was founded in 1996 and relaunched in 2019 by Ilene and her daughter, Rae Scheer. Every piece is made to order in solid 14K or 18K gold at our Los Angeles bench.
Questions and answers
Frequently asked questions
What does a horseshoe charm mean?
A horseshoe is a symbol of good luck. People have long hung one over a door, and a small gold horseshoe carries the same idea. It is worn to invite good fortune and, for some, to keep it.
Which way should a horseshoe charm face?
Two customs exist. Open end up, the shoe holds luck like a cup. Open end down, luck pours over the wearer. Neither is wrong, so choose the one that feels right to you.
What does a four-leaf clover symbolize?
Luck, mainly. Four-leaf clovers are rare, so finding one is thought to be a sign of good fortune. A popular saying gives the leaves the words faith, hope, love and luck.
What does an elephant charm mean?
In several cultures, the elephant stands for good fortune, memory and strength. Some people prefer to wear it with the trunk raised, as a sign that luck is welcome.
What is the best good luck charm to wear?
There is no single best one. Pick the symbol you already feel good about. The horseshoe is the most familiar, the clover is the gentlest, and the elephant is the calmest.
Can I put more than one luck charm on one chain?
Yes. You can add two or three charms to one chain, or choose a medallion that holds several symbols together, such as the Fortune Icons Medallion or the Destiny Symbols Medallion.
