This is How Lucky Charms Have Transformed Over 50 Years

This post comes from our partner site, Popsugar. Originally written by Anna Monette Roberts

Lucky Charms cereal celebrates 50 years of existence this March. Since 1964, kids and adults alike have coveted the crunchy marshmallow bits, called marbits, because everyone knows that’s where the real magic lies. From the shape of the mallows to Lucky the Leprechaun’s appearance, Lucky Charms and its boxes have seen a lot of changes in half a century.

___

1964

lucky-charms-mix

John. L. Holahan, aka Mr. Cereal, developed Lucky Charms by mixing Cheerios cereal with circus peanuts marshmallow candy.

Picthx buttergirl diaries, campus companion

_____

1964

lucky charms-2

The original box contained toasted oat cereal puffs with marshmallows in the shape of green clovers, yellow moons, yellow and orange stars, and pink hearts. The cereal is in the shape of bells, fish, crosses, three-leaf clovers, and trees. Some theorize these are early Christian symbols, while others claim they are talisman symbols, carried for good luck during medieval times.

_____

1975

lucky-charms-3

Lucky Charms would eventually start adding new, limited edition charms. In 1975, the blue diamond marshmallows entered the box. Notice the oat cereal became sugar frosted, as we now know it today.

_____

1988

lucky-charms-4

Do you recognize these marbits as those of your childhood? The ’83 box introduced the purple horseshoe for the “power of speed.”

_____

1991

lucky-charms-5

Since 1989 marked the 25th birthday of Lucky Charms, red balloon marshmallows (symbolizing the “power to float”) were added to the lineup. In ’91, the cereal company promoted reforestation by adding tree marshmallows to the mix. With two proofs of purchase, kids could receive their own tree to plant.

_____

1993

lucky-charms-6

When did the magic rainbow to give Lucky the “power to travel from place to place” come about? That would be in ’93.

_____

2008

lucky-charms-7

Many a mallow changed during the ’90s and aughts. Anyone recall the pot of gold? That mallow made a debut in ’94 but was replaced by the hourglass in ’08. The blue diamond and yellow moon morphed into one blue moon (signifying the “power of invisibility”) in ’95. The shooting star replaced the original yellow star in ’98 and represents the “power to fly.” And the favored four-leaf clover became Lucky’s four-leaf clover hat in ’04.

_____

2011

lucky-charms-8

Everyone loves a good flashback! The 2011 box reintroduced the “factory mishap, swirls galore” marshmallows.

_____

2014

lucky-charms-9

Happy 50th anniversary, Lucky Charms! The 2014 limited edition box features light and dark green clovers for extra good luck.

____

More awesome YumSugar recipes:

Lead Picthx John Morgan

More content

CultureProducts
OREO Just Dropped A Doctor Doom Cookie That Turns Green When You Lick It
The mysterious fourth and final cookie pack from Marvel and OREO’s Stuf Of Legends campaign has been revealed, and it features none other than Dr.…
,
Eating Out
KFC Just Brought Back The Twister
KFC is leaning into two very specific moods right now: the solo wrap run and the “what are we eating tonight?” group text spiral. First…
,
Products
Dr Pepper-Flavored Tic Tacs Are Now A Thing
Move over Cinnamon Tic Tacs, there’s a new spiced flavor in town. Tic Tac has teamed up with Dr Pepper for one of the most…
,
Burger
We Deliver!

Enter your email address below and we'll deliver our top stories straight to your inbox