Horseshoe
A Horseshoe – Symbol of Good Luck
Horseshoe - symbol of good luck
It doesn’t seem to be as common nowadays as when I grew up quite some time years ago, but a horseshoe has always been a symbol of good Luck. When you do see it the horseshoe is usually hung over a doorway. Most of the time the horseshoe is seen in an upright position, said to collect good luck, or to keep luck from falling out. However, even with its prongs down it is a symbol of good luck.
There are lots of superstitions involving a horseshoe. Here are a few;
- If you find an old horseshoe it is lucky.
- The number of nails you find in a horseshoe indicates the years of good luck.
- To dream of a horseshoe is a sign you will receive unexpected money.
- To find a horseshoe with the open prongs toward you means all your troubles are over – it is very lucky.
- A horseshoe kept in fire will keep the hawks away from chickens
- To bend a horseshoe nail into a ring and wear it will avoid rheumatism
- A horseshoe in a bedroom is a protection against nightmares
The many traditions behind the horseshoe superstitions all seem to be related to other symbols that deal with the solar circle, the half-circle, the half-circle, or the crescent, and the crotch of the human body.
The half-circle, U-symbol, or crescent composed of a pair of horns was sometimes used as a symbol of fertility. It was supposed to attract good fortune and repel evil. Sometimes the prongs were down to which represented the seat of feminine powers. Sometimes they were up to represent masculine powers. Whichever way they were used it always represented a potent and protective symbol.
It is said that the Greeks originated the horseshoe in the 4th Century to protect the feet of their horses. At times the horse has been considered a sacred animal. All the way up until recently a horseshoe was made with seven holes for nails, four on the inside and three on the outside. The lucky number seven, combined with a crescent symbol added to the potency of the talisman.
The Romans and Greeks nailed horseshoes to their walls to protect against the plague. The Druids used the semi-circular shape and charm of the horseshoe as a religious symbol, as seen in Stonehenge.
In Rajputana, India, temples were constructed on the plan of the horseshoe wherein yoni, or female phallic symbol was worshiped. Windows and doors designed in the horseshoe or arch style of architecture also represent the phallic symbol.
The Moors fashioned their mosques and temples with arches because they believed in the protective powers of the u-shaped or crescent-shaped symbol of good luck.
Nowadays you can see door-knockers, floral designs, and other products shaped like a horseshoe, all symbolizing the good luck of the horseshoe used to bring that good luck to the owner of such an item.
Whenever we see a horseshoe nailed over a doorway we instinctively know it is there standing guard to protect the occupant over the building. That occupant can be an animal or man.
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Question about Horse Sayings
Donald asks…
Any Horse sayings you know?
After answering a question earlier it gave me an idea. There are loads of horse sayings out there that people use, I’ve heard of quite a few but I’d be interested to hear more especially those from countries other than the UK. I love hearing the ‘old sayings‘ that are steeped in tradition and would like to know the origin of that saying if you know it. 😀
Here’s a few that I know to get started:
‘Odd on the neck, forelock makes evens’ – refers to plaiting I think it’s an old hunting saying that has it’s origins in the superstition that odd numbers are unlucky.
‘No foot, No horse’ – speaks for itself really.
(Referring to white socks on a solid colour) ‘One try it, two buy it, three suspect it, four reject it’ – No idea where that came from.
No rude answers please 🙂
Suzi Q answers:
“God forbid that I should go to any heaven where there are no horses.” – enough said. Haha.
“He who said he made a small fortune in the horse business probably started out with a large fortune!” – don’t we all know that?
“Riding: The art of keeping a horse between you and the ground.”
“It’s a lot like nuts and bolts – if the rider’s nuts, the horse bolts!”
“When you’re young and you fall off a horse, you may break something. When you’re my age, you splatter.” – Roy Rodgers makes me smile.
“In my opinion, a horse is the animal to have. Eleven-hundred pounds of raw muscle, power, grace, and sweat between your legs – it’s something you just can’t get from a pet hamster.”
and… My favorite “My horse’s feet are as swift as rolling thunder, He carries me away from all of my fears, And when the world threatens to fall asunder, His mane is there to wipe away my tears.”
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