Luck is a popular theme for proverbs – that is, a short, memorable statement that contains advice, predictions, or a warning. According to one Italian proverb, ‘Fortune comes to him who strives for it’. Another says ‘if you’re lucky enough to be Irish, then you’re lucky enough’. This comes from the fact that Irish people are considered luckier than others. When you look at history and the way that Ireland has been invaded for centuries you wonder about luck but perhaps the fact that the Irish have triumphed over adversity so well is why they’re considered lucky. When Irish immigrants arrived in America, some struck gold while working on the goldfields which was put down to luck rather than hard work, by other envious miners.

Here are a few more popular proverbs about luck: ‘A person does not seek luck, luck seeks the person’ (Turkish); ‘He that dares not venture must not complain of ill luck’ (Danish); ‘Luck is like having a rice dumpling fly into your mouth’ (Japanese); ‘Better an ounce of luck than a pound of gold’ (Yiddish).

If you’re the superstitious type, you could try hanging a horseshoe above your door, crossing your fingers, or picking up a penny. Although if you’re tempted to wear a rabbit’s foot to bring you luck, remember it didn’t work for the rabbit.

If Lady Luck still hasn’t visited, throw a pinch of salt over your shoulder or knock on wood. Don’t walk under a ladder, break a mirror, or let a black cat cross your path, and you never know your luck, you might hit the jackpot. Of course, your entries for our crossword and puzzle competitions must be correct, so before worrying about luck you might need to work on your crosswording skills!

Happy Puzzling!