Symbols of Luck
Italian symbols of luck are the charms and amulets Italians have worn for centuries to attract good fortune and protect against the malocchio (the evil eye) — the most iconic being the cornicello (Italian horn), the mano cornuto (horned hand), the malocchio (evil eye) charm, the quadrifoglio (four-leaf clover), the ladybug, and the lucky number 13. Our Symbols of Luck collection brings these traditions together in jewelry handcrafted in Italy in sterling silver, gold over silver, and 14K gold, so you can wear the meaning that speaks to you.
In Italy, luck and protection are woven into everyday life. For generations, families have passed down charms meant to guard against envy and invite prosperity, faith, and good fortune. The cornicello and mano cornuto are the great protectors, deflecting the evil eye, while symbols like the four-leaf clover, the ladybug, and the number 13 carry a lighter promise of happiness, love, and winning fortune. Together they form a rich language of Italian belief — one you can wear close, every day.
Each symbol carries its own story. The cornicello, the twisted red or gold horn, is Italy's quintessential amulet against the malocchio. The mano cornuto, the horned-hand charm, deflects harmful energy. The ladybug (coccinella) is a joyful bringer of good news and love, its spots said to reveal months of fortune ahead. The number 13 (tredici) is lucky in Italy, tied to the phrase fare tredici — "to hit the jackpot" — even as the number 17 is the one Italians avoid. And il gobbo, the little hunchback charm, is one of the country's oldest and most beloved good-luck figures.
Explore each tradition on its own page: the cornicello collection, the mano cornuto collection, the malocchio (evil eye) collection, and our Italian horn jewelry. To go deeper into the folklore, read our guide to Italian superstitions. Handcrafted in Italy. Free shipping on orders over $250.
Italian Symbols of Luck FAQs
What are the Italian symbols of luck?
The best-known Italian symbols of luck include the cornicello (Italian horn), the mano cornuto (horned hand), the malocchio (evil eye) charm, the quadrifoglio (four-leaf clover), the ladybug, the lucky number 13, and il gobbo (the hunchback). Each is worn to attract good fortune or protect against the evil eye.
What is the most popular Italian good luck charm?
The cornicello, or Italian horn, is the most iconic Italian good luck charm. Shaped like a twisted horn and traditionally made of gold, silver, or red coral, it is worn to ward off the malocchio (evil eye) and bring good fortune.
What is the Italian four-leaf clover, the quadrifoglio?
The quadrifoglio, or four-leaf clover, is a symbol of good luck in Italy as in many cultures. Its four leaves are said to represent faith, hope, love, and luck, and it is often paired with other Italian charms like the cornicello.
Why is the ladybug lucky in Italy?
In Italy the ladybug (coccinella) is considered a joyful symbol of good luck, love, and prosperity. Tradition holds that if a ladybug lands on you it brings good fortune, and that the number of its spots can hint at the months of luck ahead.
Why is the number 13 lucky in Italy?
In Italy, 13 (tredici) is a lucky number tied to prosperity and winning — the phrase fare tredici means to hit the jackpot. It is the number 17, not 13, that many Italians consider unlucky, because its Roman numeral XVII can be rearranged into the Latin VIXI, "I have lived."
What is il gobbo, the Italian hunchback charm?
Il gobbo, the little hunchback, is one of Italy's oldest good-luck figures, often shown wearing a top hat and sometimes holding a cornicello or horseshoe. Worn as a charm or keychain, it is believed to bring fortune and ward off bad luck.
Do Italian luck charms have to be given as a gift?
Tradition holds that some Italian charms, especially the cornicello, are most powerful when received as a gift rather than bought for oneself. That said, many people buy their own as a personal talisman, and there is no rule against it.
Can anyone wear Italian good luck jewelry?
Yes. While these symbols are rooted in Italian tradition, anyone can wear them to honor Italian heritage, invite good fortune, or simply enjoy their meaning and design.
