The horseshoe is probably one of the best-known symbols of good luck, so much so that it appears even in Egyptian iconography. Admiral Nelson’s ship called “Victory” is said to have had a lucky horseshoe nailed to the mast.
We often see this object hanging on the door of a house or worn as a jewel because, according to traditions and legends, it is thought to have the power to protect against evil. There are several stories about why people around the world believe in the luck of a humble and simple object like the horseshoe .
Together, we will go in search of the meaning of this symbol, how to hang it correctly to attract luck and when to give it away. Horseshoe and its powers
Since ancient times, man has believed that the U or crescent shape was a powerful symbol of protection. In Ireland a bride brought a real horseshoe to her wedding as a lucky charm, the ancient Greeks gave it to couples to wish them a happy life. Ancient legends tell of how witches were so afraid of this object that, rather than galloping on horses, they decided to take flight on broomsticks.
In the ancient Celtic tradition, horseshoe jewels were used to ward off evil fairies who kidnapped children, however, according to a Croatian belief, a horseshoe on a bed keeps nightmares away and promotes peaceful sleep.
There are many legends that have transformed thehorseshoe in a lucky charm .
The origin of his power probably comes from a legend, that of Saint Dustan, who in 959 became archbishop of Canterbury. Before his religious life, the man was an important blacksmith. It is said that one day he was working as always in his workshop, forging horseshoes, when the devil appeared to him asking him to shoe his animal.
He, a fervent Christian, on the other hand, nails the red- hot iron to the devil’s hoofthat he could no longer move. Feeling excruciating pain I swear to Saint Dustan that if he freed him he would save all the houses from his curses with a horseshoe hanging on the door. Thus was born the tradition of hanging it over the entrance of a house to ward off evil spirits.
All superstitious people agree that placing a horseshoe over the door of your home protects it and is able to attract good luck for the family that lives there.
In addition to the legends, also the number of holespresent in a horseshoe intervene to increase its reputation as a lucky object. They have seven holes to nail them on the horse’s hoof and, many cultures consider seven to be a magical number, because it appears frequently in our world: seven seas, seven continents, seven days of the week, seven colors of the rainbow, etc. A horseshoe given
A recurring symbol almost everywhere, in the coats of arms, in the logos of the brands, in the windows of the churches, in the clothing, it is thought that giving a horseshoe is a gesture to wish good luck, or to invoke protection from bad luck.
It can be offered as a gift for:
- a wedding or engagement;
- a retirement;
- a birthday;
- the opening of a new home;
- for exams or competitions.
Horseshoe how to hang
In the past, sailors used to nail a horseshoe to the mast of their ship as an amulet, for protection from storms. Normally they nailed it “facing up” to capture all the luck that fell from the sky; on the contrary, the fishermen, put him upside down to be successful at sea with a fruitful fishing.
Many superstitious people hang their U-shaped horseshoe up so that falling prosperity stays in the house; others, on the contrary, argue that hanging the horseshoe with the tips down will guarantee good luck to all who walk under it.
So how do you hang a horseshoe as a good luck charm
At this point, after various analyzes and researches, we realized that it is a personal preference. Maybe to have more luck than all it would not be bad to have two and hang one on each side
