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From saints to herbs, truck drivers carry amulets on every trip that, according to their beliefs, protect them in the harsh life of road transport.
In a world where truck drivers’ lives are constantly at risk every time they get behind the wheel, having extra protection never hurts. Truck drivers exist in every culture, just as people from all cultures are part of the transportation industry, each with countless interesting traditions. Within their customs, many truck drivers find ways to feel protected no matter where they go. And no, we’re not talking about their commercial vehicle insurance, but rather their amulets and superstitions.
From saints to herbs, truck drivers carry small objects on every trip that, according to their beliefs, protect them in the harsh life of road transport. These are some of them.
Truck driver amulets and superstitions
Religious and spiritual amulets
Protection can come from many different places; for many, it comes from religion and spirituality. In countries such as India and Mexico, truck drivers often carry multiple religious amulets that guide and protect them along the road. In India, trucks are adorned with sacred garlands, miniature temples featuring each driver’s chosen deity (for example, Ganesh, the Hindu deity known as the remover of obstacles), as well as flowers and flags that decorate the vehicle while keeping it safe. Some drivers also perform rituals before setting out on a journey, such as touching the tires, offering flowers, and praying.
In Mexico and many other Latin American countries, Catholicism is the most widely practiced religion. As a result, in a Latin American truck it is common to see statues of the Virgin Mary, saint cards, and rosaries hanging from the rearview mirror. Many truck drivers also bless their trucks with holy water and offer prayers to keep them protected on every trip.
In Brazil, drivers often perform blessings at roadside shrines before beginning a long journey.
Luck and protection
In contrast to the above, some drivers choose amulets associated with luck rather than religion. In countries such as the United States, Ireland, and Canada, truck drivers often rely on luck through symbols like four-leaf clovers, dice, horseshoes, and lucky numbers such as seven.
Some truck drivers also decorate their vehicles with elements adopted from other cultures. The rabbit’s foot is a common amulet among North American truck drivers, although its origins lie in African American folklore.
In addition to these objects, many truck drivers carry protective crystals on their journeys. Black tourmaline, amethyst, quartz, malachite, and aquamarine are stones and crystals believed to offer protection to those who carry them.
Another amulet often hung from rearview mirrors is the Turkish Eye, or Nazar. This tradition from Middle Eastern cultures is believed to ward off negative energy and ill intentions from others.
Fortune, culture, and nature
Good fortune is another element truck drivers seek to bring along on their journeys. This can be seen in Asian cultures such as Japan, where drivers use culturally symbolic rituals. On their dashboards, they place figurines of deities or Maneki-neko (beckoning cats), accompanied by small coins or amulets gifted by family members.
In Thailand, drivers place their trust in natural methods, such as keeping herbs in their cabins to attract positive energy during their trips.
Despite the protection that insurance can provide, and the advanced technology that now dominates the road transport industry, truck drivers still turn to these types of amulets to feel protected on their journeys. They remind us that inside every truck is a driver with a story to tell and a culture to share.
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