9 Japanese Symbols of Luck and Good Fortune
Explore the rich meanings behind Japan’s most iconic lucky symbols, cherished for prosperity, protection, and happiness.
Japan’s rich culture is steeped in symbolism, with icons that hold deep meanings and play a vital role in everyday life, religious practices, and festivities. Among the many beliefs and rituals, nine particular symbols stand out for their ability to attract good luck, ward off evil, and bring prosperity. These symbols—ranging from charming figurines to mythical creatures—have been passed down through generations, each carrying stories that reflect the hopes and dreams of the Japanese people.
1. Maneki Neko: The Beckoning Cat
The Maneki Neko, or ‘beckoning cat,’ is perhaps the most universally recognized symbol of good luck in Japan. These cheerful feline figurines are typically displayed at shop entrances, restaurants, and businesses, their upraised paw inviting prosperity and success. Depending on which paw is raised, the cat is said to attract different forms of good fortune:
- Left paw raised: Attracts customers and people
- Right paw raised: Draws in wealth and luck
Traditionally made from ceramic, porcelain, or modern plastic, Maneki Neko come in various colors, each believed to offer unique blessings—white for happiness, gold for wealth, black for protection from evil, and more.
The story behind the Maneki Neko varies regionally but often tells of a cat who brings prosperity to a struggling family or saves someone from misfortune with its inviting gesture.
2. Daruma: The Perseverance Doll
The Daruma doll is a round, hollow figure modeled after Bodhidharma, the founder of Zen Buddhism. More than just a lucky charm, the Daruma is a tool for goal-setting and perseverance. Upon receiving a Daruma, one paints in the left eye while making a wish or setting a goal. When the wish is fulfilled, the right eye is filled in as thanks for the doll’s assistance.
Daruma’s design—with its low center of gravity—embodies the Japanese proverb “nanakorobi yaoki” (七転び八起き), meaning “fall down seven times, get up eight.” This spirit of resilience makes Daruma a staple at New Year’s and special occasions such as job searches, exams, and business ventures.
- Color: Traditionally red, but other colors symbolize additional wishes such as pink for love and gold for wealth.
- Material: Papier-mâché, making them lightweight but durable.
3. Omamori: Protective Amulets
Omamori are small, decorative pouches sold at Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples. Each omamori contains a blessing or prayer for a particular purpose, such as safe travel, good health, academic success, love, or family well-being. Worshippers carry omamori in bags, attach them to mobile phones, or tie them in cars for ongoing protection.
The practice of purchasing and renewing omamori each year or after a specific wish is fulfilled reflects the belief in maintaining continuous guardianship from deities and spirits.
| Type | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Kōtsū-anzen | Safe travels |
| Gakugyō-jōju | Academic achievement |
| En-musubi | Success in love |
| Shōbai-hanjō | Business prosperity |
4. Ema: Wish Plaques
At Shinto shrines throughout Japan, visitors can purchase ema: small wooden plaques upon which they write prayers or wishes. The plaques are then hung on racks within the shrine grounds, where Kami (spirits) are believed to receive them.Over time, ema designs have expanded beyond the iconic pentagon shapes, often featuring images associated with luck, such as horses, the zodiac animal of the year, or specific deities. Writing and leaving an ema is a tangible way for people to express their biggest hopes, whether for academic success, romance, or family happiness.
5. Omikuji: Fortune Papers
Omikuji are fortune-telling paper strips found at most Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples. After making a small offering, visitors draw a slip from a box, which reveals their fortune ranging from great blessing to bad luck. Common categories include “Great Blessing” (dai-kichi), “Blessing” (kichi), “Half-blessing” (han-kichi), all the way to “Curse” (kyō).If the fortune is bad, it’s customary to tie the paper to a tree or rack within the shrine grounds to nullify the misfortune. A good fortune may be kept as a charm. The act not only reveals the individual’s fate but also connects them to the larger spiritual and communal rhythms of Japanese life.
6. Shichifukujin: The Seven Lucky Gods
The Shichifukujin, or Seven Lucky Gods, are a group of deities revered for bestowing prosperity, luck, and long life. Their collective image—often found on treasure ships called takarabune—is especially popular during New Year celebrations, when people display their images to invite luck for the coming year. The gods hail from a blend of Buddhist, Taoist, and Shinto origins, each specializing in a different aspect of good fortune.
- Ebisu: God of fishermen and good luck (usually depicted with a sea bream and a fishing rod)
- Daikokuten: God of wealth and commerce (stands on rice bales, carries a lucky mallet)
- Bishamonten: God of warriors and protection
- Benzaiten: Goddess of music, arts, and knowledge (often with a lute)
- Fukurokuju: God of wisdom and longevity (with a prominent forehead, accompanied by a crane)
- Jurojin: God of longevity (depicted with a cane and a deer)
- Hotei: God of happiness and abundance (chubby, laughing, with a large sack of treasures)
The Seven Lucky Gods are one of the most cheerful collective symbols of luck, their images found on charms, art, and even as part of New Year’s dreams in Japanese households.
7. Crane (Tsuru): Symbol of Longevity and Peace
The crane, or tsuru, is a revered creature in Japanese myth and folklore, symbolizing long life, good fortune, and peace. Cranes are believed to live for a thousand years, which is why they are prominently featured in celebratory art, wedding kimonos, and as motifs at auspicious occasions. Perhaps the most beloved manifestation is the tradition of folding a thousand origami cranes (senbazuru), an act believed to grant the folder’s deepest wish, often good health or peace.
Crane imagery is also closely tied to healing, hope, and the dream of a world without suffering.
8. Koi Fish: Strength, Perseverance, and Success
The koi fish represents strength, determination, and the will to overcome adversity, owing largely to the legend of koi swimming upstream and transforming into dragons. Koi are especially celebrated during Children’s Day (Kodomo no Hi), when households fly vibrant koinobori (koi-shaped streamers), symbolizing the wish for children to grow strong and resilient. In business and personal life, koi imagery is used to inspire courage, ambition, and success in the face of challenges.
- Meaning: Advancement, growth, and transformation
- Traditional Celebrations: Children’s Day, spring festivals
9. Tanuki: The Shape-shifting Bring of Prosperity
The tanuki is a mischievous yet beloved animal from Japanese folklore, often depicted as a pot-bellied raccoon dog holding a sake bottle and a promissory note. Known as a master of transformation, the tanuki is associated with both playfulness and prosperity. Statues of the tanuki—with wide eyes and a big belly—are commonly placed outside shops and restaurants to attract business and positive fortune.
While often comic in appearance, the tanuki’s symbolism speaks to the belief that luck can sometimes come through unexpected, joyful, and even whimsical means.
Additional Lucky Symbols in Japanese Culture
- Omikuji: Fortune papers, integrating personal fate with spiritual practice.
- Omamori: Portable amulets safeguarding against misfortune.
- Komainu and Shisa: Guardian lions/dogs at shrine entrances, repelling evil spirits and safeguarding homes.
- Teru Teru Bozu: White paper/bamboo dolls hung to wish for good weather and positive outcomes.
- Four-leaf Clover: Adopted in modern times, symbolizing luck, love, faith, and hope.
Lucky Numbers and Foods in Japan
Lucky Numbers: The number “7” is particularly auspicious, often appearing in celebrations and rituals. Conversely, “4” and “9” are commonly avoided due to their phonetic associations with death and suffering.
Mochi: This sticky rice cake is a customary New Year food, eaten for good luck, longevity, and health.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is the most common Japanese symbol of luck?
A: The Maneki Neko (beckoning cat) is widely recognized as the symbol of luck in both Japan and around the world. It is frequently seen at entrances to shops, restaurants, and businesses, believed to attract prosperity and good fortune.
Q: How do Omamori amulets work?
A: Omamori are purchased at shrines and temples, each containing a specific blessing for health, safety, study, love, or business success. They are typically kept close at hand—attached to bags, purses, vehicles, or in the home—and should not be opened, as that would release the protective power. It’s customary to renew them each year or after the wish has been fulfilled.
Q: Why do people tie bad fortunes (Omikuji) to trees at shrines?
A: If an omikuji reveals bad luck, it is customarily tied to designated trees or racks on shrine or temple grounds to leave the bad fortune behind and avoid its realization, whereas good fortunes are often kept on the person for luck.
Q: What role do the Seven Lucky Gods play in Japanese culture?
A: The Seven Lucky Gods are venerated for bestowing happiness, wealth, wisdom, and protection. Their images are especially popular at New Year, when people display their representations in hopes of receiving blessings and prosperity for the year ahead.
Q: Are cranes considered lucky in Japan?
A: Yes, cranes symbolize longevity, fidelity, and peace. Folding a thousand origami cranes is a widespread practice for those wishing for health, happiness, or relief from adversity.
Conclusion
Japan’s symbols of luck and good fortune reflect a culture deeply invested in the pursuit of happiness, prosperity, and spiritual protection. Whether through the inviting paw of a Maneki Neko, the persevering spirit of a Daruma doll, or the communal wish-making of Ema and Omikuji, each symbol continues to inspire and comfort people in Japan and beyond. Their stories, meanings, and presence serve as daily reminders that even in the ordinary, there is a place for hope, gratitude, and a touch of magic.
