wishing wells

Toss pennies, hope

A wishing well is a well or fountain where people toss coins while making a wish, based on folklore that the gesture brings luck or grants desires.

The practice survives as casual superstition at decorative fountains in malls and parks: She threw a penny in the wishing well.

Figuratively, anything treated as a source of hoped-for outcomes: Voters treat the budget like a wishing well.

Related

dreams · pennies · hope · good fortune · genies · coin · tradition · healing waters · divination · mythology · bucket · water · sacred springs · fairy tales · enchanted objects · djinn · water spirits · nymphs

Categories
Opposites
function/purpose

wishing wellsdrinking fountains

Public water dispensers

water pumps · fire hydrants · irrigation systems · water treatment plants · storm drains

relationship to reality/outcome

wishing wellsATMs

Automated banking kiosks

vending machines · slot machines · cash registers · change machines · coin-operated machines

belief orientation

wishing wellsscience labs

Rooms for conducting experiments

courtrooms · banks · contracts · guarantees · actuarial tables

Family

wishing, wells, wish, well, wished, wishes, wisher, wishers, wishful

Familiarity
Top 100,000
Profile
Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Positive · Everyday, not technical · Rated G