The Lucky Horseshoe Folklore & Superstition
Ever wondered about the Lucky Horseshoe Folklore & Superstition?
The horseshoe is often found hanging above the entrance of homes due to the belief they bring good luck and protection.
There are a number of legends and myths about why the humble horseshoe brings LUCK & PROTECTION.
The Myths, Legends & Superstitions
The Irish Blacksmith & the Devil
There is the Irish story of the blacksmith and the devil – A blacksmith was working in his shop forging horseshoes. When the devil appeared and demanded his own shoes. The blacksmith, recognizing the devil, took a burning hot shoe and nailed it deep into the devil’s hooves.
After walking away, the devil was in such excruciating pain, he ripped the horseshoes off and swore he would never go near one again. Thus the tradition of hanging a horseshoe over the entrance of a house to ward off evil spirits began.
Early Western Europeans believed that iron had magical powers that it could drive away evil. Folklore of the time told of evil fairies and mystical creatures. Since horseshoes were made of iron, they kept the badly behaving fairies away.
Other legends said that witches were so afraid of iron horseshoes, they travelled on broomsticks instead of on horseback. Or the 8th-century Chaldeans believed the crescent shape of the horseshoe protected against the evil eye, thus making it a good luck charm.
Horse Shoes and Good Luck!
Horseshoes were also given as an auspicious gift to newlywed couples, to hang over the threshold, as according to tradition, luck is caught inside a horseshoe bringing a lifetime of good luck starting on your wedding day. Horseshoe also make beautiful jewellery, that attracts good luck and protection to the wearer.
Even the number of holes in a horseshoe is lucky. Most commonly, Horseshoes have seven holes to hold them in place on the horse’s foot. Many cultures consider 7 a lucky number as it appears so frequently around us — 7 continents, 7 colours of the rainbow, 7 seas, 7 days in the week. In the creation story God made the world in six days and rested on the 7th day. Scholars have found that the number seven often represents perfection or completeness in the Bible. In Judaism, there are 7 heavens. … Seven is also a prime number that means it can only be divided by itself and one.
However, there is some dispute as to how you should hang your horseshoe. Should they be hung “heels up” like the letter “u.” or should they hang heels down?
Again, the belief is that hanging a horseshoe “heels up” means it keeps evil out and brings good luck in to your home. While hanging a horseshoe heels down means it flows good luck down on everyone who walks underneath but may cause luck to flow out of the home.
For now, I am going with a Fellow Fire Horses optimistic phrase of “Horseshoes Up!” But there is also the “all bets” option of hanging 1 each way.