Wood 木頭
　　
　　Back in pagan times, trees were considered as sacred symbol of immortality. Touching the tree was a sign of respect to the gods after a favor has been requested, or thanks to the gods for a request that had been fulfilled. After the English embraced Christianity, the people retained their belief that wood is holy as Christ died on a wooden cross. People at that time wore wooden crucifixes16) and often touched them as a sign of penitence17). Even now, people who are superstitious will try to touch or knock on wood after gloating18), talking bad things about other people, making any rash19) statement of intent or so on, so that the action will get rid of any bad lucks during the day.

　　早在異教徒的時代，樹就被視為是永生不朽的神圣象征。人們在祈求神靈庇佑之后，會觸摸樹以示對神靈的尊敬；或者是在祈求得到應驗后，觸摸樹以表達對神靈的感激。在英國人皈依基督教之后，人們依舊堅信樹是神圣之物，因為耶穌就是被釘死在木制十字架之上的。當時的人們佩戴木制的十字架，并且經常觸摸它們以示懺悔。甚至現在，迷信的人還都會在沾沾自喜、講別人壞話、說出任何輕率的言論或者是做出類似的事情時，試著去觸摸木頭或者敲打木頭，期望這樣做能夠驅除一天之中所有的霉運。


Coin 　硬幣

　　Coins, especially gold coins, were said to bring good fortune to the person who possessed them. Gold, like in any other culture, was always a symbol of wealth. In the past, "lucky" gold coins were turned into rings to be worn as a remedy20) for many types of illness. Sometimes, brides put them in a shoe to ensure a good married life. The English also dropped coins into wells to protect themselves from being bewitched and to make a wish in hope that their dreams would come true. This is due to the fact that people at the time believed there were good spirits who lived in the wells, fountains or springs.

據說硬幣尤其是金幣會給擁有它們的人帶來好運。和在其他任何文化中一樣，黃金一直都是財富的象征。在過去，人們會將“幸運”金幣做成戒指戴在手上，當做治療多種疾病的良方。有時候，新娘會把它們(金幣)放進一只鞋子里，來祈求婚姻美滿。英國人還會將硬幣投入水井中，來保佑自己不會被人施予巫術，并且會許一個愿，期望著能夠夢想成真。這一切都是因為：過去的人相信在水井、噴泉或者泉水里住著善良的神靈。

Four-leaf Clover 四瓣三葉草
　　
　　Clover is actually a type of wild plant with flowers shaped like cotton balls and usually has three leaves on each stem. In fact it is very rare to find a four-leaf clover. It is believed that to accidentally find a four-leaf clover is a sign of good luck. Moreover, the shape of four-leaf clover resembles the symbol of the crucifix. There is also an English saying "to live in clover" which basically means "to have enough money to be able to live comfortably".

　　三葉草實際上是一種野生植物，它的花朵形狀如同棉花球，通常在每一支梗上有三片葉子。事實上，四個瓣的三葉草是非常罕見的。人們相信，偶然發現四個瓣的三葉草是一種幸運的象征。而且，四瓣三葉草的外形和十字架相似。英語中還有一句諺語叫做“住在三葉草里”，其基本意思就是“擁有足夠多的錢，能夠十分安逸地生活”。