For centuries, geckos have been symbolic creatures associated with luck, wisdom, and prosperity around the world. If you’ve spotted one of these colorful lizards in your home or business, you may be wondering: are geckos actually good luck?
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: it depends on the culture, but in many places geckos are considered lucky and their presence is thought to signify good fortune. Now let’s dive into the details.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the history behind geckos and luck, examine if they really do bring good fortune, and provide tips for attracting or repelling them from your home depending on if you view their presence as auspicious or not.
The History and Symbolism of Geckos
Geckos in Asian Cultures
Geckos have a rich history in many Asian cultures as symbols of good luck, fortune, and protection. They are found throughout Asia in warmer climates, dwelling happily alongside humans for thousands of years.
Their ability to cling to walls and ceilings by using special microscopic hairs on their feet has added to their aura of mystery and adoration.
In traditional Chinese culture, giant geckos are referred to as “house dragons”, revered for their ability to rid the home of more dangerous pests by eating centipedes and mosquitoes. Spotting a gecko near your doorframe is seen as a positive omen.
In Vietnamese lore, geckos are thought to attract good fortune and so people will welcome these friendly reptiles into their homes or shops.
Geckos in Hawaiian Culture
Native Hawaiians believed geckos held divine power as guardians to protect against unwanted nighttime spirits. The chirping sound made by house geckos to mark their territory was believed to scare away unwanted or malevolent spirits.
Geckos were seen as protectors of children and pregnant women in particular and were welcomed freely into homes.
Today, there is a cute superstition in Hawaii that when you hear the distinctive chirp of a gecko, you should “talk back” to it by saying “moe” which means “sleep”in Hawaiian. This is thought to bring good luck in life, love, and business.
It has become a beloved cultural custom for locals and tourists alike! Some interpret it as an invitation to let worries go and get a restful sleep ahead.
Geckos in African Culture
Geckos have gained favor in many parts of Africa as a spiritual creature of fabled abilities. According to Zulu legend, geckos can transform into a giant snake form to exert control over other animals.
Seeing a “house lizard” or gecko inside your home is thought to grant protection and enhance your intuitive senses. Some believe geckos are messengers of the divine and their appearance hints some new shift or phase in life is near.
There’s an often-shared Hausa proverb that advises us to emulate the gecko: “A person once saw a gecko climbing a wall, admired its perseverance, and said to it: ‘Little creature don’t fall’; the gecko said to him: ‘Don’t speak to me, for if you do I will fall’.”
This astute observation reminds us the power of focus and that distraction from lofty goals can have unforeseen consequences. We have much wisdom to glean from these petite lizards!
Do Geckos Actually Bring Good Luck?
Some Suggestions But No Proof
For centuries, certain cultures have associated geckos with good fortune. This connection likely stems from the reptile’s ability to thrive in hot, tropical climates. To ancient people, anything that could survive and even flourish in such conditions seemed magical.
The gecko’s distinctive vocalizations may have also led people to believe they possessed supernatural powers.
In parts of Asia and Polynesia, spotting a gecko around your home is still considered a sign of impending luck or prosperity. Their presence is thought to protect against evil spirits and hardships. For instance, in the Philippines, the tuko or common house gecko is known as “the poor man’s dragon” due to its association with good fortune.
However, there is no definitive scientific evidence that geckos actually impact one’s likelihood of experiencing serendipity.
It Depends on Your Perspective
Ultimately, whether geckos bring good luck comes down to personal experience and beliefs. Those who adhere to feng shui principles may intentionally place gecko statues in advantageous places around their homes and offices to stimulate positive chi energy.
For devoutly superstitious individuals, spotting a real gecko after making an important decision or purchase can seem like a promising omen.
On the other hand, more skeptical people are unlikely to read too much into a random lizard sighting. With over 1,500 species of geckos worldwide, they are simply a common creature in the ecosystems they inhabit. Their presence alone does not magically cause good or bad fortune.
As the famous quote goes: “I think, therefore I am lucky.” Our mindset and attitude often play a bigger role in shaping our luck than any external sign or symbol possibly could.
Tips for Attracting Geckos
Provide Warm, Humid Shelter
Geckos are cold-blooded reptiles that thrive in warm environments. To attract geckos, create sheltered spots that maintain temperatures between 75-85°F. You can build a wooden gecko house and place it in a warm, humid spot near your home.
Make sure the house has small openings so geckos can enter and exit. Leaving a heat lamp or ceramic heater near the gecko house will help regulate the temperature. Humidity levels between 50-60% mimic the tropical environments geckos naturally prefer.
Make Sure There’s Food Available
Geckos are insectivores, so having a ready food source is key to luring them in. Planting night-blooming flowers like moonflowers or angel’s trumpet will draw in moths and other insects geckos like to eat. You can also install an outdoor light near the gecko house – insects will swarm to it at night.
Leaving a small dish of mealworms or crickets near the shelter is another great way to feed any visiting geckos. Just be sure to replace the food daily so it stays fresh! Having a constant food supply convinces geckos to stick around.
Give Them Hiding Places
Geckos feel most comfortable when they have ample spots to hide and get out of view. Adding hiding places helps make geckos feel secure and willing to settle in. You can place hollow bamboo sticks, small clay pots, bark slabs, or PVC pipe sections around your yard.
Stack firewood or rocks in sheltered corners. Plant bushes, shrubs, and flowers to create natural hiding spots. The more secluded areas and camouflaged nooks you provide, the happier any resident geckos will be.
Geckos play an important role in the ecosystem by eating pesky insects like mosquitos and spiders. By providing the right habitat, you can safely invite these lucky reptiles into your yard. With minimal time and money, you can create the warm, food-rich environment geckos love.
Be sure to avoid pesticides and let some areas grow wild to shelter your new cold-blooded friends. If you spot a gecko lounging in its new home, it’s a sure sign your efforts are working!
Tips for Repelling Geckos
Use Peppermint Oil and Onions
Geckos dislike strong smells, so using peppermint oil or onions around your home can help deter them. Place a few drops of peppermint essential oil on cotton balls and stash them in corners or entry points where geckos may sneak in.
You can also slice onions and place the pieces around potential gecko access points. As an added bonus, onions can help mask other smells that may be attracting geckos to your home.
Seal Up Entry Points
One of the best ways to keep geckos out of your house is by sealing any cracks, crevices or openings they can use to get inside. Carefully inspect windows, doors, vents, utility access points and gaps around pipes or wiring where geckos may enter.
Use caulk, weatherstripping, steel wool or copper mesh to plug up these access points. This will help prevent geckos from invading your home in the first place.
Use Motion-Activated Lights
Geckos are nocturnal, so installing motion-activated exterior lighting around your house can help deter them. The sudden bright lights will startle geckos and make them less likely to come near your home. Place the motion sensors in key areas around potential entry points.
For extra effectiveness, use bulbs that emit UV light rather than standard white light. Geckos don’t like UV light. Just be sure not to disturb any neighbors with bright lights turning on throughout the night.
Conclusion
While there’s no definitive scientific evidence that geckos bring good luck, their symbolic meaning in many cultures points to their auspicious influence. If you want to attract their presence, providing shelter, food, and humidity will make your home welcoming.
On the other hand, if you find them a nuisance, there are effective ways to repel them as well. Ultimately, whether having geckos around is fortunate or not comes down to your personal perspective.
Geckos have fascinated people for centuries as mystical harbingers of prosperity or pestilent insects. By learning about the history behind their symbolism, you can decide if their presence brings you fortune or frustration in your own home.
