Lucky Charms

Jewellery houses have long looked to symbols of luck for their most beloved motifs. We look at some of the enduring examples in fine jewellery, and why we gravitate towards them.

- Zhuan Lee

Adorning oneself with jewellery is not just beautiful about wearing something and precious, or flaunting one's status. Putting on a ring or necklace goes beyond superficial adornment, especially if it is a piece that evokes a special memory or sentimental feelings. But jewellery is not merely a nostalgic memento; some are perceived as tools to protect, or serve as a spiritual compass. Jewellery has long been worn as symbols of luck, strength and comfort, whether it's a religious amulet or a family heirloom passed down from generations. Certain pieces that you constantly reach out for when you get dressed every day may provide you with reassurance, be a reminder to look forward to better days ahead, or to keep negative energies at bay.

Since ancient times, many cultures have worn jewellery as talismans. When it comes to seeking inspiration for creations that are a hybrid between totem and everyday adornment, designers often take a page from lucky symbols with universal appeal that goes back centuries, or elements that hold special meaning for them.

HIGH FIVE

The House of Chanel is well-known for incorporating symbols that are dear to its founder Gabrielle Chanel into its design universe. The most recognisable ones include her favourite flower, the camellia; her zodiac sign, the lion; stars, which are a recurring motif on the walkways of the austere Aubazine orphanage where she grew up in; and the number 5, her favourite and lucky number. These storied elements were first used by the very superstitious Chanel, a firm believer in the talismanic power of these symbols, and have been regularly revisited by the brand's creative team over the years.