Tokens and Talismans: Good Luck Charms and Superstitions That Drive Plot

A little luck can go a long way

You might believe in lucky items or superstitions, or maybe you don’t–but it’s intriguing when characters in our favorite TV shows and movies do. Whether it’s a talisman like a lucky rabbit’s foot, or a ritual that keeps a character feeling safe, lucky items and superstitions add depth to character development and help drive a story forward. We put together a list of some good luck charms and superstitious rituals that help our favorite characters make choices that drive a plot or help us understand them better.

Harry’s scar, Harry Potter franchise

The Harry Potter franchise centers around one character: the boy who lived. But why is he so special? In Harry Potter, Harry’s lightning bolt-shaped scar is a unique and powerful good luck charm, a skin-deep piece of evidence from his first encounter with Voldemort–which he survived. While it marks a painful and tragic past event, the scar also serves as a reminder of Harry’s resilience and the strength he draws from the love and sacrifices of those who care for him. Over time, this scar evolves into a symbol of his ability to overcome adversity, and it often has a magical quality, marking moments when he is about to face danger. The scar is a daily reminder that he has survived excruciating dark times and will triumph once again.

The Ruby Slippers, The Wizard of Oz

The ruby slippers in the film, The Wizard of Oz, are symbolic of Hollywood itself. In the movie, the shoes serve as a magical good luck charm, protecting Dorothy on her journey through Oz, though they have dark origins having belonged to a wicked witch. Given to her after the Wicked Witch of the East’s death, the slippers lead her to the Yellow Brick Road where she will find the Wizard who can help her return home–as well as some friends along the way. Throughout her adventure, they shield her from danger, particularly from the Wicked Witch of the West, who desperately wants them for herself. In the end, the slippers also have transformative powers to return Dorothy to Kansas, even if it’s clear that she had the strength and luck she needed all along. The slippers come to symbolize hope, power, and the ability to find one’s way home on your own two feet.

Sheldon Cooper’s superstitions, The Big Bang Theory

The Big Bang Theory’s Sheldon Cooper is a man of science and logic, but he is also highly superstitious despite his scientific mindset. Sheldon is extremely particular and follows strict rituals, such as always knocking three times on a door while saying a person’s name before entering. He also refuses to sit anywhere but his spot on the couch, convinced it is the only place with the perfect conditions for comfort. Additionally, Sheldon is wary of more common superstitions, like walking under ladders or opening umbrellas indoors, even though he claims not to believe in them. His rigid adherence to these habits highlights his need for structure and control in his daily life. His superstitions define his character, whether annoying or endearing to others.

Sam and Dean Winchester, Supernatural

Brothers Sam and Dean Winchester rely heavily on superstitions to protect themselves from supernatural threats in the long-running TV show Supernatural. The two brothers carry protective charms, like hex bags and salt, believing they ward off evil spirits as they hunt for ghosts, demons, and all kinds of monsters. Dean, in particular, is superstitious about his car, Baby (the 1967 Chevy Impala), treating it as a lucky charm and refusing to let anything bad happen to it. The brothers also follow rituals like salting doorways and burning bones to ensure spirits don’t return. Despite facing countless paranormal creatures, their adherence to these superstitions often proves essential to their survival.

“Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, Can’t Lose” sign, Friday Night Lights

In Friday Night Lights, a sign proclaiming Coach Taylor’s “Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, Can’t Lose” mantra hangs in the team locker room, right by the doorframe. Introduced in the pilot episode, one in which Coach Taylor is newly brought to the Dylan Panthers and faced with enormous pressure for the team to succeed, the phrase immediately becomes a grounding sentiment for the show. Throughout the series, it is used by Coach Taylor before every game as a call and response: he tells the team, “Clear eyes, full hearts” and they answer “Can’t lose!” The team members then slap the sign as they make their way out of the locker room to the field, making it a powerful good luck charm. The phrase symbolizes the team’s commitment to clarity, heart, and determination, and the physical sign itself serves as a motivational reminder before every game. It’s more than just a slogan—it’s a belief system that unites the players and coaches, reinforcing that if they stay focused, stay true to themselves, and give their all, victory will follow–in many forms. The sign becomes a constant source of inspiration and strength, fueling their drive both on and off the field.

“Believe” sign, Ted Lasso

Sports and good luck charms often go hand in hand. Another team good luck charm on TV? Ted Lasso’s “Believe” sign. The sign, hung in the locker room over the door, embodies Ted's unwavering optimism and belief in his team’s potential. The sign is more than just a powerful motivational slogan—it’s a symbol of hope, resilience, and trust. Ted uses it as a reminder for both himself and his players that, despite the odds, belief can spark change and lead to success. It becomes a talisman for the team, helping them embrace a positive mindset and, ultimately, contributing to their growth and achievements throughout the series. When things take a downturn in the show, the sign is damaged, and the destruction of it proves how powerful it is as a sentiment. Similarly, a repaired sign predicts smoother sailing ahead.

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