Discover Good Luck And Bad Luck Animals: The Complete List

Mar 13, 2023

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Folklore, fairy tales, and myths have dictated perceptions for thousands of years and their prevalence has only cemented how we view certain animals. While some are thought to be superior, others are thought of as bad omens. Discover good luck and bad luck animals in the list below!

Scientific name: Elephantidae

There are two primary elephant species that include the African elephant and the Asian elephant. African elephants live in 37 countries throughout Africa. You can find Asian elephants throughout 13 countries in the southern regions of Asia. These are the largest land mammals living on earth and many revere them for their wisdom and nobility.

©Ondrej Prosicky/Shutterstock.com

They symbolize good luck and have long been thought of as a sacred species. The exact symbolism for these majestic creatures differs a bit depending on the culture, but they are generally considered bringers of abundance and good fortune. Many keep elephant statues or figurines in their homes as symbols of good luck, especially when their trunks are facing upward. This is a greeting expression of happiness that brings energy and luck into the home.

Scientific name: Equus caballus

Horses are another popular animal that receive respect. They have a regal presence. These hoofed animals live nearly everywhere throughout the world except in Antarctica. Arctic areas are uninhabitable for horses, including those in Asia, Europe, and North America. There are both wild horses and domesticated horses and those that live wild prefer open grasslands to gallop about.

©Rita_Kochmarjova/Shutterstock.com

Horses are noble, loyal creatures that have for centuries worked alongside their human counterparts, aiding during the difficulties of war, assisting with transportation and agriculture, and providing companionship. Many use the symbol of the horse in their feng shui practices as a way to invite positive energy into the spaces where they dwell. These symbols also invite wealth and esteem.

Scientific name: Delphinus

When most think of dolphins, only positive descriptions come to mind. They’re playful, highly intelligent, and graceful. It's a moment of awe when you see dolphins leaping out of the water, displaying their natural talents. The most common of all dolphins is the bottlenose dolphin. These are the ones with a perma-smile that seem to be harboring a sly secret they can only reveal via ultrasonic pulses.

©Lefteris Papaulakis/Shutterstock.com

Since ancient times, dolphins were seen as a powerful symbol of both good fortune and protection. These underwater creatures are revered as magical guides and practical helpers. There have been many reports of dolphins stepping in as protectors when humans are in trouble. This animal is a symbol of safety and can help you as you navigate unknown waters and new life paths.

Scientific name: Cervidae

There are many different types of deer — 43 species to be exact. There are two main groups that include the old world deer and new world deer. Deer thrive in nearly every part of the world except for Australia and Antarctica. In many places, these are game animals but there's one type of deer, the caribou, that works alongside humans.

©WildMedia/Shutterstock.com

Many recognize deer for their graceful natures, leaping as if weightless in the wild. These animals symbolize abundance, not just because they are found throughout the world, but also because they have long been a source of food for humans. They represent gentleness and grace and, in many traditions, point to divinity.

Scientific name: Strigiformes

Owls are immediately thought of as intelligent animals filled with wisdom. Some even believe that they have a psychic ability, knowing about events before they occur. They have an all-knowing sense to them. Not just because they are nocturnal and can see in the darkness, but also because they don't need eyes in the back of their heads. They can just turn to look. The symbol of the owl offers a protective presence. Many associate these animals with good luck.

©iStock.com/kojihirano

Scientific name: Pleurodelinae

Newts are amphibians. The term is used to describe a variety of salamanders. There's an informal division between those amphibians considered true salamanders and those considered newts. It's hard to identify the nearly imperceptible differences between these two categories, which is why they’re usually put together within one context. They could be super slender or grow to have a stronger body.

©iStock.com/epantha

Newts are commonly depicted as making up part of a witch's potions. They were certainly considered to be beneficial for witches working with black magic but if you were on the other side of the spell, it wouldn't be a good thing. These amphibians are unusually powerful, able to produce a potent toxin when threatened. The resulting symptoms include dizziness, paralysis, and yes, even death.

Scientific name: Gulo gulo

Wolverines go by different names including skunk bear and carcajou. They are part of the weasel family and thrive in colder environments like the northern portions of Eurasia and North America. These animals are characterized by their boldness. They seem to lack the ability to feel fear. They are also surprisingly strong and their behavior points to a cunning nature.

©Bildagentur Zoonar GmbH/Shutterstock.com

Considering a wolverine is highly adaptable, extremely aggressive, and even capable of chowing down on frozen carcasses, it makes sense that many associate them with bad luck. In Native American cultures, wolverines were perceived as tricksters. They’re elusive creatures, which only adds to their mystique.

Scientific name: Serpentes

Snakes are also referred to as serpents and there are well over 3,000 different types of snake species — some venomous and some non-venomous. They have no limbs but can slither speedily, and some are even capable of climbing high into trees. While some are small, others can reach incredible lengths and sizes (with the anaconda big enough to swallow a human whole!).

They have developed a bad reputation, primarily due to the ignorance of humans. It is not always easy to tell the difference between a venomous and a non-venomous snake. While some are harmless and busy keeping down rodent populations, others you can admire but only from a safe distance. The Bible story portrayed snakes as an evil force, and many continue to associate snakes with bad luck.

Scientific name: Canis lupus

Wolves are carnivores that look a lot like the pets you cuddle up to at home but these are far from domesticated. There are two subspecies that include the gray wolf and the Ethiopian wolf. These animals have long been a part of folklore and depicted as ruthless. Welsh superstitions point to the wolf being an animal created by an evil force rather than a good force.

The Big Bad Wolf managed to fool a young girl in the red riding hood fairy tale, eventually doing away with both her and her grandmother. Unfortunately for wolves, when these perceptions persist, their population numbers drop as they become the target of hunters. These animals make up a vital part of the ecosystems within which they live, and their absence is more detrimental than their presence.

Scientific name: Vulpes vulpes

Foxes are small, sometimes medium-sized animals that also resemble dogs. However, they are distinguished by their long, bushy tails. The red fox is the one most commonly associated with a cunning nature. There is a plethora of myths surrounding this animal and they point to it being secretive and deceptive. However, they are both predator and prey and continue to be a vital part of our ecosystems.

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