A lucky charm is the gift for the moment when someone starts something new: A-levels, a driving licence, a first job, a house move, an exam, a farewell. The four-leaf clover, the horseshoe and the anchor are the three symbols our customers choose for these moments, and each one says something different. The four-leaf clover wishes you luck, the horseshoe keeps it safe, the anchor keeps you steady. In our shop, all three cost between €25 and €50 and are engraved with a name or a date.
This page explains where the three symbols come from, when to choose which, and what is most often engraved for graduations, fresh starts and farewells.
The four-leaf clover
The four-leaf clover is rare, roughly one in ten thousand, and that is exactly what makes it a sign of good luck: if you find one, you've been lucky. In Ireland, each leaf stands for something: hope, faith, love and luck. In our shop, the four-leaf clover is the lucky symbol people choose most often, especially for leaving school and for exams.
What gets engraved on it: the name on the disc next to the four-leaf clover, or the graduation year, 2026. On pearl bracelets with a four-leaf clover, often just the initial.
The horseshoe
The horseshoe has hung above front doors for centuries, with the open end pointing up so that the luck doesn't fall out. It is the symbol of a place and a beginning: a new flat, a new job, a new country. That's why people who are moving away most often get a horseshoe from us.
What gets engraved on it: the date of the move or of the first day at work, or the coordinates of the old home, so that it comes with them.
The anchor
Strictly speaking, the anchor isn't a lucky charm but a symbol of steadiness. It stands for constancy, for a home port, for the person who holds you steady. In Hamburg, it's also simply at home. We see it on men's jewellery, on friendship bracelets and as a gift for someone who has been through a difficult time.
What gets engraved on it: My anchor, a name, or just the symbol on the front and a date on the back.
Which symbol for which occasion
| Occasion | Symbol | Typical engraving |
|---|---|---|
| A-levels, graduation, exams | Four-leaf clover | Name or year, Anna 2026 |
| Driving licence | Four-leaf clover or horseshoe | Date of the test |
| New job, apprenticeship | Horseshoe | Date of the first day |
| Moving house, year abroad | Horseshoe or anchor | Coordinates of home |
| Farewell, difficult times | Anchor | My anchor, Forever |
| Friendship | Anchor, four-leaf clover | Both initials, A&V |
Pieces with a lucky charm
Four-leaf clover bracelet
Horseshoe bracelet
Anchor braceletWhen a lucky charm is the wrong choice
The occasion is religious. A cross, a fish or an angel is a better fit for a First Holy Communion or a confirmation; there's more on these in our guide to Christian symbols.
It's meant to be a forever gift. A lucky charm belongs to a moment. For a wedding anniversary or a birth, a name, a date and a heart are the more lasting choice.
The person is superstitious the other way round. Some people don't like lucky symbols because they feel pressured by them. In that case, choose the anchor instead: it promises nothing, it simply holds.
What goes on the card
For graduations, fresh starts and farewells, our customers most often write:
- We're so proud of you.
- Good luck on your new path. We're always here for you.
- No matter how far away you are, we'll stay connected.
- Wherever your journey takes you, be brave and strong.
Frequently asked questions about lucky charms
What do you give for A-levels or graduation?
Most often, a bracelet with a four-leaf clover and their name or graduation year. It's small, it gets worn, and it's a reminder of the moment without being kitsch.
What does the horseshoe mean as a lucky charm?
It keeps luck safe in one place, which is why it hangs above front doors. As jewellery, it suits a house move, a new job and a fresh start.
What does the anchor mean?
Steadiness, constancy, a home port. The anchor is the symbol for the person or place that holds you steady, and it suits farewells, friendship and difficult times.
What do you engrave on a lucky charm?
The name, the year or the date of the occasion; for a move, the coordinates of home. A short phrase such as ‘My anchor’ works too.
Are the lucky charms made of stainless steel or silver?
Both. The four-leaf clover and horseshoe bracelets come in stainless steel and in 925 sterling silver, and the pearl bracelets with a four-leaf clover come in 925 sterling silver.
Is a lucky charm suitable for men too?
Yes, especially the anchor: as an anchor hook bracelet or as a symbol on the engraved bead of a sailing rope bracelet.
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