Horseshoes are a quintessential symbol of luck and good fortune in Ireland. Horseshoes are used for luck, good fortune, and protection. They are especially good for bringing home profit and keeping it there too. Considered part of the nation’s identity, horseshoes are a common sight in Ireland. And no other country has more wacky horseshoe facts than Ireland. So here are four wacky horseshoe facts you should know:
The origin of good luck horseshoes
We know horseshoes are a symbol of good luck and protection. But not many know the superstitious story behind the symbol involving a blacksmith and the devil hundreds of years back. The devil made a deal with the blacksmith to never enter a home with a horseshoe hanging by the door in return for being freed from excruciating horseshoe pain.
Read more about the legend of St. Dunstan.
Why witches fly
In medieval times, the common belief was that witches were afraid of horses because their iron horseshoes could withstand fire. This is why their preferred mode of transport was broomsticks instead of horses. The people, in turn, burned witches when they died or buried them in coffins with a horseshoe nailed on to stop them from resurrecting.
Lucky number seven
Traditionally, the number of holes in a horseshoe is also symbolic. Horseshoes had seven holes used to hold them in the hoof. Seven is considered a number engraved in nature and, therefore, a good luck number. Seven continents, seven days in a week, seven seas, seven colours of the rainbow, and even the seven dwarfs.
Upward or downward?
While everyone seems to agree with almost everything about good luck horseshoes, the never-ending debate about which way to hang them rages on. Some people believe that good luck horseshoes should hang upwards to hold on to good luck for a household. Others say it should face downwards to pour out good luck to the household.
You can get customized, high-quality good luck horseshoe gifts from Biddys Good Luck Horseshoes. Whichever way you want to hang your good luck, having a good luck horseshoe alone is magical. We can’t wait to share Irish good luck with you.
