Every culture thinks about luck and fortune, but the East and West differ in their beliefs and actions. These differences show up in beliefs about lucky lottery numbers, good luck rituals, and how people think about fate and success.
Luck in Western Cultures
In many Western societies, luck is viewed as something purely random and not a result of individual effort. Folks may consider someone “lucky” if they get good things in life, but there is a greater belief in hard work and in the role of an individual’s labor to generate wealth. People often view luck as an excuse or a source of shame when success comes too easily.
The Western world is absolutely full of lucky superstitions and lucky symbols. The four-leaf clover is a well-known lucky charm because it’s rare, as are horseshoes and rabbit’s feet when it comes to bringing good luck. People say “knock on wood” to prevent jinxing themselves, and a black cat crossing your path is an omen of bad luck. These beliefs and rituals are attempts to control fortune, as luck can be unpredictable.
When it comes to wealth, Westerners typically believe success is due largely to merit and effort, yet also acknowledge the influence of luck, which is why many people choose lucky lottery numbers and buy tickets in the hope of getting lucky. This combination of effort and luck explains a lot about the Western take on luck and riches.
Luck in Eastern Cultures
Many cultures in the East see luck as a part of destiny and spiritual powers. Luck, for instance, is significant in Chinese culture, with numbers such as 8 considered lucky (a symbol of wealth) and 4 unlucky (linked to death). Such beliefs influence rituals – such as gifting red packets of money in Chinese New Year for good luck.
Feng shui, the traditional practice of optimizing the natural rhythms of a space so as to maximize harmony and good fortune, is popular in China and other parts of East Asia. Talismans are also used, with custom characters that are worn for luck and to protect against bad luck.
In Japan, figures such as the Maneki-neko, or “lucky cat,” are popular for drawing wealth and good fortune. Yet another lucky amulet, the Daruma doll, inspires fortitude and accomplishment of objectives.
In India, luck is frequently bumping into karma and astrology. Indians go to astrologers to figure out the optimum time for significant events, based on the belief that stars control their fate. People believe that kindness and virtue can generate good fortune in the future.
Comparing East and West
The difference is that in the Western way of thinking, luck is considered random and separate from fate, while in the Eastern way, luck is a part of a supreme spiritual order, as is everything else. Yes, both Western and Eastern cultures have good-luck rituals and unusual superstitions about lucky numbers, but these practices reflect deeper cultural attitudes. In the East, luck is embraced and incorporated into life, while in the West, it is often dismissed. Either way, they illustrate the ways that people seek to understand and control luck and wealth.
