Tiny white elephant in purse. Why?

[PawPrintsInMyPansies]

I have a tiny plastic white elephant in my purse. The elephant was given to me years and years ago by my mum, who also kept a white elephant in her purse. My sister has one as well.

I’m guessing it was something to do with luck, but honestly I have no idea really why we do this in our family.

Does anyone know why this is/was a thing? Do you have anything that your own family does that seems to have no reason behind it?

Never heard of it

No idea. I thought "white elephant" is a phrase for something useless though..!

It is just for good luck.
I have one that belonged to my dad's great aunt. I don't keep it in my purse though as I don't want to lose it!

Never heard of this!! But my mum belives you should never give someone an empty purse.

Family things are so ingrained aren't they. My mum always washed all the sofa covers and cushions on Christmas eve and I do the same. Possible the least convenient day and time of year to do this but I couldn't not

My nan kept a little silver pixie charm in her purse. After she died I kept it in my purse. But then my purse was stolen and I’ve not been able to find a replacement. It was tiny. She definitely did it for luck - it was a lucky Cornish pixie or something.

@Shuffalo

My nan kept a little silver pixie charm in her purse. After she died I kept it in my purse. But then my purse was stolen and I’ve not been able to find a replacement. It was tiny. She definitely did it for luck - it was a lucky Cornish pixie or something.

That's so sad @Shuffalo. I had a bag stolen and it really shook me up - luckily there was nothing sentimental in there.

Try searching the Internet for 'silver Cornish PISKIE.' I think you'll find what you're looking for!

We’ve always done money (usually a silver coin or now a £1/£2) in a new purse, in Scotland it’s known as hanseling
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Handsel_Monday

Also if you were giving someone a new knife they should give you a coin.

I keep non money things in my purse too, a teeny teddy my mum gave me

I thought everyone knew an elephant with their trunk up brings you good luck and and money.

Or maybe OP is a long lost sister of mine.

Never heard of elephants as good luck!

@chardonnayspetdragon. Thank you!

My granny used to insist first thing we said on months with an r in them was white rabbit to bring good luck for the month. She also had a lucky rabbit.

ColitisSucks thank you! I’ve looked and there’s are some Cornish pixie charms on eBay! Also some Cornish pasty silver charms which made me laugh

My granny always used to put a coin in the pocket of any new coat I had. That was supposed to bring good luck.

My mum had a thing about never having an empty purse, she would have a penny in it or a religious medal.

Something about if you empty your purse it will stay empty.

And the knives thing, yep you don't give them, you sell them.

@Shuffalo

My nan kept a little silver pixie charm in her purse. After she died I kept it in my purse. But then my purse was stolen and I’ve not been able to find a replacement. It was tiny. She definitely did it for luck - it was a lucky Cornish pixie or something.

You've reminded me of my Nanna who gave me a tiny pixie for luck as a child ❤

I always put a coin in a purse I'm gifting, no idea why 😂

I keep a little heart my DD made, an angel pin is attached (a lovely lady sent me when I was suffering from recurrent miscarriage many years ago) and I have a written copy of a quote that bought me great comfort when my mum died a year ago. I put the second copy of this quote in her coffin with her.

I have all the usual crap I there too. Cards / plasters / money / stamps.

When I was struggling with my professional exams my dad gave me a little plastic elephant for luck. I kept it in my pencil case.

Elephant with trunk pointing up is good luck.

It’s unlucky to gift someone an empty purse, apparently it ‘curses’ the person to be permanently poor.

My Mum had a little plastic elephant with it's trunk up in her purse for good luck (SE London) (She also had a little Cornish Piskie charm)

My lovely auntie would put 10 p or 50 p in a new purse
Actually, my dh bought me a new purse the other day , no money in it though 😂