Good Luck Charms to Keep Around the Kitchen
Can you spot the rooster at La Peetch?
Does anybody remember the 1998 Disney classic Mulan? At the core of that movie was this hard and fast idea of “luck.” What luck was, what it could do for you and your family, and what ways you could bring luck into your life. The list of good luck charms in “Honor To Us All” alone would make your head spin.
But the world is exactly that. It’s full of hopes and dreams, personalities driven by ideas of luck, and charms that are believed to bring that luck to us. As people who are very lucky at times, we acknowledge the importance of good luck charms in whatever way they manifest for you, and are big-time supporters of people who keep their glasses half full. In fact, we have a few standout good luck items hanging around La Pitchoune that you might draw some inspiration from. If we are lucky, you may even recognize them…
Roosters in The Kitchen
Roosters tend to symbolize some form of luck in a variety of cultures. Since they are the animal that greets and symbolizes a new day, they are often used to invite new beginnings in. In several cultures, it is good luck if a rooster walks into your kitchen, especially while you are preparing a meal. (Many cultures now frown upon the hygienic implications of a rooster in the kitchen, but the idea of it still holds a bit of whimsy.)
Roosters are a staple in Chinese culture, and are even one of their twelve zodiac animals. They also play a big part in the practice of feng shui. In this practice, they are thought to bring good luck and to help ward off negative energy. To help the rooster achieve its abilities in protection, you want to aim your totem or statue toward the main entryway to the kitchen.
In the Middle Ages in France, the Gallic rooster was seen as a sign of hope. In fact, the emblem of France is a rooster because, over time, French kings decided to adopt it as a symbol of bravery and courage. You may see it on coins, flags, emblems, and elsewhere, but you may also peep a couple of rooster items at La Pitchoune.
Verbal Luck
In the La Peetch kitchen, we often say “bon courage” the way theater lovers would say “break a leg!” With this simple greeting, we offer a “hang in there” to our cooks and cohorts, which is something we could all use in the kitchen. We even had it stitched lovingly on one of the linen aprons we had designed for our community.
Lucky/Favorite Kitchen Utensils
While they may not be considered staple good luck symbols, everyone has their thing. Chef Kendall is particular about what she keeps in the kitchen with her. “Having my knives is really important to me. My cake tester/meat tester is my real good luck charm that I have to have with me at all times.” She has a point. These are all items that come in handy in a pinch!
Take a page out of Kendall’s book, and maybe breathe some luck into one of your favorite or most used kitchen utensils! If you want other little pieces of luck to scatter around the kitchen, consider green or yellow window coverings, or a plant by the sink!
