Trading Superstitions Around the World: From Lucky Yen
Coins to Pound Sterling Rituals
When it comes to forex, traders pride themselves on charts, data, and cold-blooded logic. Yet, behind the screens and candlestick patterns lurks something far less rational superstition From Tokyo to London, currency markets aren’t immune to rituals, lucky charms, and age-old beliefs that sneak their way into modern trading
Japan: Lucky Yen Coins
In Japan, the humble 5-yen coin (“go-en”) isn’t just spare change; it’s a symbol of good fortune and connection Traders sometimes keep one taped near their monitors, believing it attracts profitable trades and strengthens ties with the market Some even rub the coin before placing a high-stakes yen order a tactile reminder of luck in an otherwise digital battlefield.
Japan – The Lucky Yen Coin
● 5-yen coin = symbol of good fortune (“go-en”).
● Traders tape one to their desk or screen
● Ritual: rub the coin before making a big yen trade.
London: Sterling Rituals and the “Full English”
The City of London, home of pound sterling trading, carries its own quirks Veteran traders joke that a Full English breakfast on Mondays sets the tone for a strong trading week Others swear by wearing the same cufflinks or tie whenever GBP/USD hits a winning streak. These rituals may sound quaint, but for those caught in volatile Brexit-era markets, any edge rational or not, was worth clinging to
London – Sterling Rituals
● Monday Full English breakfast for a strong week
● “Lucky cufflinks” or a tie repeated on GBP winning streaks.
● Superstition peaked during Brexit chaos - any charm was welcome
China: Numbers and the Forex Feng Shui
In China, numerology casts a long shadow over trading desks. The number 8 symbolizes prosperity, while 4 is avoided like a market crash, as it sounds like
the word for “death ” Some Chinese traders set stop-loss levels or account balances ending in “8” to attract good fortune. Screensavers with flowing water or koi fish, both feng shui symbols of wealth, are surprisingly common in trading offices.
China – Feng Shui & Numbers
● 8 = prosperity → account balances ending in 8 feel “safe ”
● 4 = death → avoided at all costs.
● Screensavers: koi fish, flowing water = wealth flow
Middle East: Coffee, Prayer, and Patience
In parts of the Middle East, forex trading is often intertwined with ritual coffee breaks Strong Arabic coffee isn’t just for stamina; it’s believed to sharpen focus and clear the mind before making big trades. Some traders also begin their sessions with a short prayer for patience, a virtue highly prized in markets where holding positions calmly can mean the difference between ruin and reward.
Middle East – Coffee & Patience
● Strong Arabic coffee before trading session.
● Short prayer for calmness and patience
● Ritual designed to keep emotions steady in volatile markets.
New York: Wall Street’s Quirky Charms
Even Wall Street, the epicenter of hard-nosed capitalism, has its share of rituals. Some traders won’t start the day without touching the Charging Bull statue near Bowling Green, hoping to channel its aggressive energy Others keep a lucky dollar bill framed above their desk, the first profit they ever made, serving as both motivation and superstition rolled into one
New York – Wall Street Charms
● Touch the Charging Bull statue before the market opens.
● Keep a framed first profit dollar as a lucky charm
● Some won’t trade without their “winning pen” or desk talisman.
