The Luckstone
A luckstone (lyckosten), a stone with a natural hole, worn on a cord or kept in the pocket for luck and protection in Swedish folk tradition. Such pierced stones were also called 'hängesten', hanging stones, from the way they were strung and hung, and 'örngottsstenar'; they were hung in stables, on the neck, or by the bed to ward off the mare and misfortune, and the hole was the mark that gave the stone its power. In some districts the stone was hung over the stable door to keep the cattle safe, in others carried by sailors or travellers as a charm against storms and robbers. The lucky stone i