Here we go!

Kitty's Object - Jade Pig Pendant and Charm

These are objects from Hong Kong, China.

"There are 12 zodiacs in China, and each person's zodiac depends on the year of birth and it cycles every 12 years. Every year there will be a new god to rule the year and lead the other gods. It rotates every 12 years, and we call him Tai Sui. 

It always makes us happy to have the year that matches our own zodiac, as this only happens once every 12 years. However, there will be a clash with Tai Sui if we share the same zodiac sign. This means bad luck all year in different aspects including career, relationships and money. For example, I was born in 1999 and my zodiac is a rabbit. However, as 2023 is the year of the rabbit as well, I have a clash with Tai Sui this year.

Unfortunately people don’t just have a clash with Tai Sui when they share the same zodiac, as every year five different zodiacs clash with Tai Sui. Therefore we may have a clash with Tai Sui every two to three years.

Luckily, there are different things that you can wear to reverse the bad luck, such as by wearing a red bracelet, jade, or different zodiacs which can stop bad luck. In my case, I always carry this jade pig pendant and the charm to help me get through every year safely, especially years when I have a clash with Tai Sui."

Why is it ritual?

"The jade pig pendant and the charm protect me from evil and bad luck, therefore I take them with me wherever I go, no matter what. The charm is always in my wallet and my pencil case, to keep me safe when I travel anywhere or bring me luck in exams."

Ellie's Object - Piece of Coal

This is an object from Sunderland, UK.

"My family use this piece of coal in the tradition of ‘first foot’ every New Year. It is a tradition from the North of England, Scotland, Ireland, and the Isle of Man but there are similar traditions in Greece, Vietnam and Georgia. I’m a local student from the North East and my family has strong Scottish roots.

In this tradition, the first person to enter the house after new year brings symbolic gifts for the house for the coming year. These can include a coin for wealth, food and/or drink (usually whiskey) for food and good cheer, salt for flavour and coal for warmth. In return, they’re given food and drink by the people of the house. It is usually preferred for the 'first-footer' to be a man. Where I live they should be a dark-haired man, but this is different in some other places.

My mam says that when she was young the men on her street always had to be outside their houses before the bells chimed midnight on New Year so they could then enter and do first foot. My family always does first foot with a piece of coal, some food (usually we use a mince pie or some Christmas cake) and drink.

This particular piece of coal belonged to my gran, so my family have had it for quite a while! My gran always did first foot; her father was from the Isle of Lewis."

Why is it ritual?

"First foot is a ritual because it has to be done in a very specific way and it's meaningful because it brings prosperity. My mam was quite strict on making sure the food, drink and coal were outside for the first person to come in. If your first-footer comes in empty-handed, you will have bad luck.

This is extra meaningful to me because doing this ritual helps me connect to my family and my family history. It also connects me to my gran, who died before I was born, by using her coal."

Annabel's Object - Snowglobe as a red F1 car which has Monaco on the side and the Prince’s Palace of Monaco inside the globe

This is an object from Monaco.

"The one thing I love most in the world is travelling and experiencing new things!

Since 2014 I have collected 9 snow globes from places like Iceland, India, Holland and Australia. Any place I go travelling I ritually collect a snow globe as a visual map of where I have been and as a souvenir. 

In the summer of 2022 I was very lucky to be able to travel to three different countries in Europe, travelling by planes, trains and buses. While in France, my friend and I visited a place called Monaco which is a city-state in France. As a massive F1 fan I was very excited to see where my favourite racetrack was and walk the streets of Monaco thinking about the F1 and where drivers such as Lewis Hamilton had walked. Monaco is a beautiful place and I wanted a lasting memory of the place and a memory of the joy I felt being in the place I had dreamed of going to for years.

This snow globe from Monaco and the other places I have travelled to is a ritual I hope to continue for many years. They give me great joy and help me to remember where I have travelled to and give me ideas of where I want to go next!"

Why is it ritual?

"This is a ritual to me because this is an activity I do at the end of every trip (without fail)! I always enjoy the end of a good trip looking at all the snowglobes in the souvenir shop and choosing the one I want to take home with me.

This is an extra meaningful ritual to me because doing this ritual helps me connect with the place I have been to and with memories I have created there. This is a repetitive process and if I didn't do this ritual I would feel as if I had not made the most of my experience of travelling to this place. I also feel if I do not get a snowglobe I feel I may forget the experience of my trip in years to come."

Lee's Object - Moose-hide slippers

This object is from Saskatchewan, Canada.

''These slippers were a gift from my parents years ago, and have become a part of my daily ritual. The act of changing from work shoes to these slippers signifies putting a long day behind me, and the beginning of the relaxation of evening.''

Why is it ritual?

''These slippers were hand-made by an indigenous tribe back home in Canada, and given to me because they are tough, comfortable, and wouldn’t fall apart like cheap department store slippers. They’ve travelled with me across the world because it is important to de-stress and relax after a busy day. The ritual of changing into these slippers instantly calms me, and helps me recharge for tomorrow.''

Perry's Object - Wallet

This is an object from Beijing, China.

"This is my wallet which I have used for 10 years. My friend Wendy gave it to me as a birthday gift when I was 13 years old.

One day, I walked into a stationery store on my way home. In the store, I spotted this wallet and immediately liked its cute design and pink colour. But back then, I didn’t buy it, not because I couldn’t afford to, but because I had grown up in a type of education that says it is “wrong” to get what you like unless you can prove that it is helpful for your study or family. So even though I loved this wallet, I didn't buy it.

Another day, when Wendy and I were walking home together, she asked me what I wanted for my birthday. I hesitated but told her there was a wallet I found very cute, so we went to the stationery store and I showed her the wallet. Back then, I thought she would laugh at the wallet (as I thought it seemed too “childish” for 13-year-olds). However, she didn’t say much and just bought the wallet for me right away. I was moved. For the first time, I got what I liked and it felt so great. I learned that it is not bad to get things you like just for the sake of it. At the same time, giving others what they like can bring so much joy to them and may even change their attitude towards life."

Why is it ritual?

"I always bring this wallet with me wherever I go. Every time I feel disappointed in myself, I open this wallet and touch the little girl on its front. Then, I remember this sweet memory that my friend Wendy gave me this wallet I liked so much and I should accept myself for what I like and what I don’t like. I feel much more peaceful and confident in who I am."

Ady's Object - Nani's Sari

This is an object from India.

"The sari seen in the pictures above belongs to my Nani (maternal grandmother). A sari is a South Asian attire made from one very long piece of fabric draped around one's body. 

I received this sari when I was packing to move to university from India. I ended up wearing it at the Matriculation ceremony in fresher's week - making it the first sari I ever tied myself! I have worn it at multiple important events since and it has brought me a lot of luck."

Why is it ritual?

''It is now a ritual for me to wear this as a symbol of my culture at important events. It gives me confidence and makes me feel comfortable in my identity. I must mention that this only started as a ritual practice for me in 2019, so it is still very new! 

I told myself that I would wear this on every milestone occasion in my life. While the rest of my saris will come and go, my Nani's sari will always make me feel lucky and blessed!"

Yvonne's Object - Pair of Earphones

This is an object from Shanghai, China.

"Music is a very personal thing, and so are earphones. This pair of earphones has been with me on many important occasions, including tense moments before events, times of self-reflection, and long journeys. 

The music playing in these earphones reflects a more genuine version of myself, worried, pleased, and hopeful, which gives me energy, boosts my mood and calms my spirit. 

The earphones connect me with the outside world and mirror the changing world. When the view outside is beautiful, so is the music. If life is fast-paced, the music in the headphones is too.

Whenever I see my earphones, I am reminded of some of the best experiences and years that I have experienced. Earphones are a part of my daily ritual; they are always present and will remain with me throughout my life's ups and downs."

Why is it ritual?

"I used to wear them to retreat from the outside world and focus on my feelings frequently when I faced anxiety and a sense of loss in my daily life as I studied and worked in my hometown. But as life as an international student begins, the headphones become a ritualistic way of dealing with homesickness, to encourage me and to create a private space or sanctuary. When I wear them outside almost every day, they help me take heart and are full of positive energy. These headphones are always with me no matter what."

Megan's Object - Palace Green Postcard and Durham Pin Badge

These are objects from Durham, UK.

''I am an American student studying in England. Coming here has been a huge change, but despite its challenges, it is one of the best decisions of my life. I not only get a degree to help get my dream job, but also travel to different places as well!

Whenever I travel to a new place in the United Kingdom, I buy a pin badge and postcard to put on a canvas bag (which I also bought in the United Kingdom). I currently have postcards and pin badgess from Durham, Beamish, Newcastle, York, Oxford and Edinburgh. I plan on going to other places when I have more free time in the future. 

The postcard shown is the first one I got when I arrived at Durham to start my degree. I got it when I took a tour of Palace Green. Afterwards, I bought the pin badge in a similar shop. They were my first ones and will always be my most treasured because they symbolise opportunity.

I love collecting these items because it is a great reminder of all the places I was able to travel and experience. It is something that I will cherish for the rest of my life!"

Why is it ritual?

"The physical act of purchasing a postcard and pin badge is a ritual that I do whenever I travel to a new place in the United Kingdom. Living in another country has been a once in a lifetime experience, so I buy these objects as a reminder that I stepped outside my comfort zone. They help me bring to mind fun memories I have been lucky enough to make at the different places I have travelled to. In addition, these items are very pretty and fun to look at! I have multiple pin badges and postcards, but the ones that are shown in the photos are (what I consider) the most important because they are the first ones that I ever purchased when I arrived in the United Kingdom."

Kai's Object - Silver Ring with 'Wave' Design

This is an object from Birmingham, UK.

"This ring was given to me on my 18th birthday by my grandma’s long-time partner, Max. Although we are not biologically related, Max is my grandad and I consider him to be family. He bought me this ring, and told me that the two sides of the waves symbolise me and our family, and that sometimes we must meet in the middle. This ring reminds me of my family, and that there are people who love and care for me.

I have worn this ring every single day since I turned 18, and I am now 22 which means I’ve worn it for over 1,500 days!"

Why is it ritual?

"Putting on the ring feels like putting on some sort of armour, and if I didn’t put it on I would probably feel really strange. I also have to put on the ring in a very specific way. You can see from the bottom image that there is a gap in the design, so when I put on the ring I must have this gap facing the same way as my palm. If I put it on the wrong way I have to take it off and put it on correctly. I think there is something about the repetition and consistency that soothes me. If I put the ring on wrong, it would make me feel really anxious and as though something bad were going to happen.

The way this ring was bought also involves ritual. My grandad Max bought this ring from a car boot sale (this is where people sell their unwanted items from the boot of their car). Max goes to the car boot every week. It is like part of a weekly ritual for him and he very rarely doesn’t go. His mother passed away recently, but before this he would visit her three times a week and they would often go to the car boot together."

Ning's Object - A Wool Felt in the Shape of a Cockatiel

This is an object from Nanjing, China.

"This object is made of wool with four colours: black, white, grey and pink. The prototype came from my pet cockatoo, a five year old boy, named Gugu who I adopted in December 2018. This wool felt was made in August 2020 and was custom-made online and mailed to me.

Because I can't see my parrot every day for various reasons, I carry this wool felt with me as a substitute for it. Who could not love such a lovely pet? When I am sad, it is always by my side; when I am happy, I always share with it, it has become one of my best friends.

I hope all pet owners will treat them well. Their lives are really short, and maybe a long time later it will be just a fond memory for you, while for it, you will be the only memory for the rest of its life."

Why is it ritual?

"For me, seeing this wool felt every day connects me to my family members. It is ritual because seeing it reminds me that my relatives and friends still miss me at home."

Olivia's Object - Gold Ring with Inset Peridot

This is an object from the UK.

"This ring was given to me by my mum after my dad passed away three years ago, and it’s my most special possession. It was created by melting down my dad’s wedding ring, and remaking it into two rings for me and my sister. We both chose different stones to be put into the ring and I chose a peridot because green is my favourite colour."

Why is it ritual?

''It has become a ritual for me to wear this every day and never take it off, since it always reminds me of my dad and makes me feel like I’m never alone. I also see it as a type of good luck charm, whenever I take exams or go through stressful times, I like to rub it with my thumb and I like to think it gives me some extra good luck! It reminds me that life is short, and to appreciate living in the moment.''

Ygaery's Object - Golden Buddha Necklace

This is an object from China.

"I have worn this gold Buddha necklace from birth until I was about 10. Normally, wearing Guanyin brings good luck and health to boys, and wearing Buddha brings health and good luck to girls. So after I was born, my family chose this Buddha necklace for me and let me wear it all the time.

Wearing this necklace is a blessing from my family, and has become a habit for me. Because I wear it all the time, I often forget I am wearing it.

Also, the reason why the gold Buddha on the necklace is not visible is because I used to bite it when I was younger, it left my teeth marks and my precious childhood memories on it.

As I grew older, I started to want to buy and wear my own necklaces that I liked better. So I stopped wearing this gold Buddha necklace all the time.

This necklace has been preserved by me and my family. Even though we are not religious, this necklace, which has been with me since birth, has brought much comfort to me and my family. It seems that as long as I wear this necklace, I got blessings from the elders and grow up in peace. It also reflects the traditions of my culture. Passed down for thousands of years, this seems to have become the belief of some Chinese elders and this necklace represents a good wish for me and my family."

Why is it ritual?

"This traditional Chinese custom brings good luck. It also has important links with the history of Buddhism in China, and thus the custom has a ritual meaning.

Wearing the gold Buddha necklace makes me feel my family's love and support, which is why I've never taken it off. Whenever I’m facing a tough situation by myself, just thinking about having the necklace on gives me lots of strength to overcome the challenges. And I always made it as long as the necklace was on my neck."