Talisman

noun

An item, e.g. an ornament, believed to possess magical abilities, usually to repel evil and to confer good luck on its owner

Usage

Most of us probably wish we had a lucky talisman from time to time, especially after bad days. In theory, a functional talisman might prevent bad days from occurring at all. In the past, different believers in magical or occult powers created talismans bearing specific symbols to imbue them with unique powers. For example, people in Medieval times would sometimes wear a specifically inscribed talisman when conceiving a child to guarantee the creation of a healthy newborn. Today, talisman is used a bit more broadly to refer to any item or ornament which is believed or traditionally held to yield good luck or protection. For example, if your young niece found a four leaf clover, you might exclaim, "Goodness, Clara, that's quite a powerful little talisman you've got there!" In so saying, you would be informing Clara that the piece of vegetation she was holding possessed magical powers, particularly to bring her good fortune.

Similarly, talisman can refer to something which, although not genuinely believed to possess magical powers, seems as if it does. For example, if a baseball player were to notice that every game he wore a certain pair of socks he hit at least one homerun, he might joke to his teammates, "I think I've found my own homerun talisman!" He might then take to wearing those socks every game, whether as a joke or because some latent superstition had taken hold of him. In truth, we all need an extra boost of confidence sometimes even if it is provided by a bit of superstition, and what if those socks really were a talisman after all?

Example: The Danish chieftain always wore his brass talisman, inscribed to bring fair voyaging on the seas, every time he sailed from the coast.

Example: Although it had initially been nothing but a cute dashboard ornament, Chloe began to refer to her bobble head as her protective talisman, after surviving several harrowing traffic collisions.

Origin

Talisman was first used in English in the early to mid-17th century to refer to a mystical figure which conferred magical benefits. It derives from the French talisman which had the same basic meaning. The French talisman stems both from the Arabic tilsam and from the Byzantine Greek telesma, the latter referring to the completion of a religious rite. Both the Arabic and Byzantine terms are rooted in the Ancient Greek teleo which means "to complete" or "to perform a religious ceremony." Teleo in turn comes from the Ancient Greek noun telos, meaning "completion" or "purpose."

Derivative Words

Talismanic: This adjective form describes something as possessing magical abilities, especially ones which bring good fortune and repel evil.

Example: When danger was pressing, Clancy clutched his talismanic rabbit's foot tightly.

Talismanically: This adverb form describes an action performed in a talismanic fashion.

Example: For whatever reason, the belt buckle seemed to talismanically bring good fortune to whomever was wearing it.

In Literature

From John Quincy Adam's Oration at Plymouth:

Courage and perseverance have a magical talisman, before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish into air.

Here, Adams suggests that courage and perseverance act as a talisman, making obstacles disappear and bringing success as if by magic.

Mnemonic

Make a good plan,
do what you can;
leave the rest to the talisman!

Comments

Talismans and amulets are very similar, but they are distinct in certain respects. An amulet is a magical item which confers protection on its owner. A talisman confers good general fortune on its owner, although it might also confer protection. In addition, historically, amulets were usually believed to be naturally imbued with magical properties, while talismans were infused with magic through spell making.

References

Amulet on Wikipedia

Bring out the linguist in you! What is your own interpretation of talisman. Did you use talisman in a game? Provide an example sentence or a literary quote.