Fortune facts for kids

The word fortune can mean several different things. It often refers to luck, which is when good or bad things happen by chance. Fortune can also mean a lot of wealth, like having many valuable things or a lot of money. Sometimes, it refers to a prophecy, which is a prediction about what will happen in the future.

What Does 'Fortune' Mean?

The idea of fortune has been around for a long time. It helps us understand how chance, wealth, and predictions play a role in our lives. Let's explore the different ways we use this interesting word.

Fortune as Luck

When we talk about fortune as luck, we mean things that happen without us planning them. If you find a forgotten five-dollar bill in your old jacket, you might say you had good fortune. If you miss your bus and then find out it broke down, that's also a kind of good fortune, even though it started with a small problem. Luck is often seen as something outside of our control. It can be good luck or bad luck, and it can change quickly.

Fortune as Wealth

Another common meaning of fortune is a large amount of wealth. This means having a lot of valuable things. It could be money, property, or other important possessions. People who have a "great fortune" are usually very rich. For example, a successful business owner might build a large fortune over many years. This kind of fortune is often built through hard work, smart decisions, or sometimes even through inheritance from family.

Fortune as Prophecy and Prediction

Fortune can also refer to predictions about the future. This is especially true in fortune-telling. Fortune-telling is when someone tries to guess what will happen to you. This might involve looking at palm lines, tarot cards, or other methods.

• Fortune-telling: This is the practice of predicting future events. People have used different ways to tell fortunes for thousands of years.
• Fortune cookies: These are sweet cookies often served after Chinese meals. Inside each cookie is a small piece of paper with a "fortune" printed on it. This "fortune" is usually a wise saying, a lucky number, or a vague prediction about your future.

Fortune in Mythology

In ancient Roman mythology, there was a goddess named Fortuna. She was the goddess of luck, chance, and destiny. People believed she could bring both good and bad fortune. She was often shown holding a cornucopia, which is a horn of plenty, symbolizing wealth and abundance. She also sometimes held a rudder, which is used to steer a ship, showing her control over people's destinies.

Fortune (Magazine)

Fortune is a well-known American business magazine. It was first published in 1929. The magazine is famous for its lists, like the "Fortune 500." This list ranks the 500 largest companies in the United States by their total sales. The magazine provides news and articles about businesses, the economy, and important people in the world of finance. It helps people understand how big companies work and what's happening in the business world.