But, in either case, it is generally thought that African folk magic played a role in the modern tradition, and possibly is the most direct ancestor to the superstition. We just don’t have the hard documented evidence to be able to discern the exact lineage.

Or, it may be that the specific lucky rabbit’s foot tradition simply came from traditions in the African folk magic that were unrelated to the European traditions associated with the rabbit. It’s possible this was then blended with aspects of African American folk magic. For instance, in the 16th century, there is a work by Reginald Scot that mentions that a good way to ease the pain of arthritis was to carry around a rabbit’s foot. These Celtic beliefs did evolve somewhat, carrying over into certain other European cultures. It isn’t clear whether this contributed to the very modern practice of the lucky rabbit’s foot that popped up around the turn of the twentieth century in America. According to Celtic folklore, the fact that rabbits lived in burrows deep underground meant that they were in direct communication with the gods and spirits of the underworld. The Celts are known to have associated rabbits with good fortune- the whole rabbit, not just the foot. A tribe worshiped its animal ancestor, and carried parts of that animal as protective totems. In Europe, the tradition of carrying the foot of a rabbit probably stems from ancient totemic beliefs that humans descended from animals, and particular tribes had their origins in specific species. Some sources say that the rabbit should be shot with a silver bullet, while others say that the foot must be cut off while the rabbit is still alive. Some sources say instead that the rabbit must be taken on a Friday, or a rainy Friday, or Friday the 13th. Some authorities say that the rabbit must be taken in the full moon, while others hold instead that the rabbit must be taken in the new moon.

Third, at least according to some sources, not any left hind foot of a rabbit shot in a cemetery will do: the phase of the moon is also important.

Second, not any left hind foot of a rabbit will do the rabbit must have been shot or otherwise captured in a cemetery.

First, not any foot from a rabbit will do: it is the left hind foot of a rabbit that is useful as a charm.

The belief in North American folklore may originate in the system of African American folk magic known as ' hoodoo'.

Are lucky rabbits foot real