Wood 木头
　　
　　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.

　　早在异教徒的时代，树就被视为是永生不朽的神圣象征。人们在祈求神灵庇佑之后，会触摸树以示对神灵的尊敬；或者是在祈求得到应验后，触摸树以表达对神灵的感激。在英国人皈依基督教之后，人们依旧坚信树是神圣之物，因为耶稣就是被钉死在木制十字架之上的。当时的人们佩戴木制的十字架，并且经常触摸它们以示忏悔。甚至现在，迷信的人还都会在沾沾自喜、讲别人坏话、说出任何轻率的言论或者是做出类似的事情时，试着去触摸木头或者敲打木头，期望这样做能够驱除一天之中所有的霉运。


Coin 　硬币

　　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.

据说硬币尤其是金币会给拥有它们的人带来好运。和在其他任何文化中一样，黄金一直都是财富的象征。在过去，人们会将“幸运”金币做成戒指戴在手上，当做治疗多种疾病的良方。有时候，新娘会把它们(金币)放进一只鞋子里，来祈求婚姻美满。英国人还会将硬币投入水井中，来保佑自己不会被人施予巫术，并且会许一个愿，期望着能够梦想成真。这一切都是因为：过去的人相信在水井、喷泉或者泉水里住着善良的神灵。

Four-leaf Clover 四瓣三叶草
　　
　　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".

　　三叶草实际上是一种野生植物，它的花朵形状如同棉花球，通常在每一支梗上有三片叶子。事实上，四个瓣的三叶草是非常罕见的。人们相信，偶然发现四个瓣的三叶草是一种幸运的象征。而且，四瓣三叶草的外形和十字架相似。英语中还有一句谚语叫做“住在三叶草里”，其基本意思就是“拥有足够多的钱，能够十分安逸地生活”。