Published April 27, 1999|Updated Sept. 29, 2005
(ran SP edition)
The superstition persists to this day that the horseshoe brings luck, but it must be hung properly.
Superstitions and folklore continue to surround us, even in today's society.
One superstition that has to do with good fortune or luck is hanging a horseshoe over the door to a house, garage, barn or business.
The first horseshoe-manufacturing machine was patented in 1835 by Henry Burden of Troy, N.Y. Back then, you were likely to find a thrown horseshoe on any country or city road. Today, they are found only in areas where there is still horseback riding.
If you come upon a horseshoe, legend has it that you must spit on it after you pick it up and then hang the horseshoe over your door for good luck.
Horseshoes hung over doorways were believed to keep the devil and evil witches away. Why the devil?
Legend is that the sound of a blacksmith hammering shoes on an anvil attracted his attention one day. The devil bought a set of shoes for his hoofs, but the blacksmith, knowing whom he was dealing with, nailed on red-hot shoes without first cooling them down in water. Instead of driving the nails around the outside of the shoe and hoof, he drove the nails straight through the center of the devil's hoof.
The devil paid for his shoes and left. After walking several miles and dancing and prancing, the shoes became pure torture. No longer able to endure the pain, the devil tore the shoes off his hoofs and threw them away.
To this day, the story goes, every time the devil sees a horseshoe, he turns and runs away.
A horseshoe should be hung with the ground surface facing out and the prongs pointing upward, supposedly so that your luck won't fall out.
If you don't have the right size molding or room before the door molding meets the ceiling, you can hang your horseshoe with the prongs pointing downward. According to superstition, if a horseshoe is hung with the heels hanging down, good luck will flow down on all who pass through the door.
If you feel that a horseshoe doesn't go with your decor, don't worry about having to hang it up. Another old bit of wisdom states that, if you find a horseshoe, it will bring you luck if you spit on it and throw it over your shoulder, but beware of finding a horseshoe without the nails still in it, since that signifies bad luck, or you just may want to buy a decorative interpretation in silver or brass and forget the spitting.
FAQs
According to superstition, if a horseshoe is hung with the heels hanging down, good luck will flow down on all who pass through the door. If you feel that a horseshoe doesn't go with your decor, don't worry about having to hang it up.
What is the myth about the horseshoe? ›
After the excruciating ordeal, the devil agreed to never enter over a threshold with a horseshoe nailed above it, being fearful of the tiny crescent-shaped object. A lucky charm to ward off evil was born. The basic metal makeup even made the horseshoe an easy favorite for as a lucky charm.
What is the tradition of hanging a horseshoe? ›
According to this superstition, ends pointing down simply means that the good luck is able to flow out and surround the home. If the horseshoe is hung over a doorway with ends up, it will catch good luck. Hung over a door with ends down, it will let the good luck spill over the door and stop evil from entering.
What is the legend of the lucky horseshoe? ›
Some people believe that a horseshoe hung heels up will keep all of the good luck from falling out of the shoe, while others believe that a horseshoe hung heels down will cover all those who pass beneath it with good luck.
What is the spiritual meaning of the horseshoe? ›
The combination of luck, protection, religion, and even magic are all captured by the horseshoe symbol and many people believe it will bring them good luck in their lives and to any special event or occasion – and ward off evil and misfortune or bad luck.
Is the horseshoe a good omen? ›
A horseshoe, in Vastu, is a symbol of luck, wealth and good fortune. Hang it with its ends pointing upwards to remove Vastu dosha. As per main door Vastu, place it at the entrance or the main door of your house to reduce Vastu defects and negativity. A horseshoe also helps to overcome financial woes.
What is a fun fact about horseshoes? ›
In medieval times, there was a belief that witches and evil spirits had a fear of horses, especially their iron horseshoes which could withstand fire. Hence they preferred to travel by broomstick than horse. Witches – if not burned – were buried in coffins with a horseshoe nailed on to prevent them from resurrecting.
What is the origin of the horseshoe superstition? ›
The Power of Iron
Early Western Europeans believed that iron had magical powers and could drive away evil. Folklore of the time was rife with tales of mischievous fairies and mystical creatures. Horseshoes, being made of iron, naturally became protective talismans.
Where is the luckiest place to hang a horseshoe? ›
Some people hang it open-end down to share the luck with others, while others hang it open-end up to collect luck. You should hang the horseshoe on an interior wall or a barn wall or above an entry door outside as both a good luck charm and decor. It is believed that used horseshoes draw the most luck.
How do the Irish hang a horseshoe? ›
There is a strong Irish belief that the shoes be hung upright like the 'letter U' to collect and store the luck inside. Other cultures believe that the shoe should be hung like an upside down 'letter U' so that the luck spills out and over anyone passing under it.
The horseshoe is what the horse walks on. Horses represent strength, power, and authority in the Bible (Job 39:19-25). The horse is ready to go to war (Proverbs 21:31). The horseshoe represents the ability to walk in strength, power, and authority. Chains speak of things that hold back, bind, or imprison (2 Peter 2:4).
What is the history of the horseshoe? ›
While it's not entirely certain who invented the horseshoe, many experts credit the Romans for this creation. The Roman poet, Catullus, talks about a mule losing its shoe in the 1st century BC. Early horseshoes were made from hides and woven with foliage by Asian horsem*n.
Is it bad luck to hang a horseshoe upside down? ›
Conventional wisdom states that a horseshoe should be hung pointing up to keep the luck from running out. Yet, there is always some ornery character who insists it should be hung pointing down.
What does a horseshoe symbolize in love? ›
Most of these are symbols of love, connection, sustenance and marriage, but one of the most fascinating symbols often carved into lovespoons is that of the horseshoe. Horseshoes are commonly known as a good luck symbol and have been since not long after the horseshoe was invented.
What is the horseshoe symbol called? ›
The letter Ʊ (minuscule: ʊ), called horseshoe or sometimes bucket, inverted omega or Latin upsilon, is a letter of the International Phonetic Alphabet used to transcribe a near-close near-back rounded vowel.
What does and upside down horseshoe mean? ›
What does an upside down horseshoe symbol mean? Hanging a horseshoe facing upwards in a "U" shape is said to keep evil out and bring good luck into your home. Conversely, hanging it upside down will have luck flowing out of your home.
Does a horseshoe hurt the horse? ›
They are nailed on to the bottom of the horses hooves. Don't worry, it doesn't hurt the horses if done properly. Their hooves are strong and don't have nerve endings. You may be wondering why they need the extra protection for their feet if they already have these hooves.
