Why is a horseshoe considered lucky?

Answer 1

HORSESHOES-

The horseshoe is considered very lucky and used to be hung in many homes to protect and attract good fortune for the family residing inside. As with many superstitions, there are contradictions to be found with the beliefs associated with the horseshoe. For instance, many believe that to hang it with the ends pointing upwards is good luck as it acts as a storage container of sorts for any good luck that happens to be floating by, whereas to hang it with the ends pointing down, is bad luck as all the good luck will fall out. Others believe that no matter which way you hang the horseshoe, good luck will come. According to this superstition, the ends-pointing-down display simply means that the good luck is able to flow out and surround the home. If the horseshoe is hung over a doorway, ends up will catch good luck and ends down will let the good luck spill over the door and stop evil from entering. Perhaps a combination of the two was used so that after a few days, when the horseshoe was filled with good luck, it would then need to be emptied so that residents could benefit from that luck and the process would be repeated until the end of time.

Horseshoes were also considered lucky because they were made by blacksmiths, which is also considered a very lucky trade. Because they worked with elemental fire and magical iron, they were thought to have special powers. It was believed that a blacksmith could heal the sick and if a couple was married by a blacksmith, their marriage would be a happy one. Their work with horses also brought them much power and prestige, not just because they made the lucky horseshoe but also because they were the keepers of the Horseman's Word (the basis for the movie, The Horse Whisperer.)

Horseshoes were originally made from iron, which may also account for the superstitions that are associated with this object. Iron was considered magical because it was able to withstand fire and was much stronger than other metals. The superstitions for iron are thought to originate in prehistoric times. It was used as a charm to ward off evil spirits.

Another aspect of the horseshoe that added to it's good luck was the fact that it was commonly held in place by seven iron nails. Since ancient times, the number seven was considered very important. Life was divided into seven ages; a rainbow has seven colors; astrology once held that seven planets made up the universe; there are seven deadly sins; a seventh child was thought to have special powers; there are seven days in a week; the moon changes from one phase to another every seven days; and a long-held belief states that the body goes through a radical change every seven years. -

Answer 2

Lucky Horseshoe

Answer 3

Horseshoes are considered a good luck charm in many cultures. The shape, fabrication, placement, and manner of sourcing are all important. A common tradition is that if a horseshoe is hung on a door with the two ends pointing up (as shown here) then good luck will occur. However, if the two ends point downwards then bad luck will occur. Traditions do differ on this point, though. In some cultures, the horseshoe is hung points down (so the luck pours onto you); in others, it is hung points up (so the luck doesn't fall out); still in others it doesn't matter so long as the horseshoe has been used (not new), was found (not purchased), and can be touched. In all traditions, luck is contained in the shoe and can pour out through the ends.

In some traditions, any good or bad luck achieved will only occur to the owner of the horseshoe, not the person who hangs it up. Therefore, if the horseshoe was stolen, borrowed or even just found then the owner, not the person who found or stole the horseshoe will get any good or bad luck. Other traditions require that the horseshoe be found to be effective.

One reputed origin of the tradition of lucky horseshoes is the story of Saint Dunstan and the Devil. Dunstan, who would become the Archbishop of Canterbury in AD 959, was a blacksmith by trade. The story relates that he once nailed a horseshoe to the Devil's hoof when he was asked to reshoe the Devil's horse. This caused the Devil great pain, and Dunstan only agreed to remove the shoe and release the Devil after the Devil promised never to enter a place where a horseshoe is hung over the door.

Another theory concerning the placing of horseshoes above doorways is to ward off Faeries (the Celtic kind); the theory being that Faeries are repelled by iron and as horseshoes were an easily available source of iron, they could be nailed above a door to prevent any unwanted, otherworldly guests. One can see how the custom, as people began to forget the stories concerning the Fair Folk, eventually morphed into a simple good luck charm. It is also possible that the Romans, when arriving in Celtic countries, came across horseshoes nailed above doors and simply borrowed the concept of horseshoes as good luck charms, failing to understand the background of the Celtic custom, and made their use more widespread.

Answer 4

Horseshoe Meaning

Answer 5

One of the most common lucky charms is the horseshoe. The use of worn-out horseshoes, as having protective powers, originated in Europe, where one can still find them nailed on top of doorways. As per legend, one day St. Dunstan, formerly a blacksmith was working at his forge, in Mayfield, a village in north-east Sussex. The Devil, disguised as a beautiful woman paid him a visit with the intention of leading him astray. However St. Dunstan spotted the cloven hooves beneath the dress. He grabbed the devil's nose with his red hot pincers, thus thwarting the Devil’s evil intentions. But it did not end there. For the Devil returned again as a weary traveller in need of a horseshoe. St. Dunstan saw through the disguise once again. He beat the Devil until he pleaded for mercy and swore never to enter any house with a horseshoe above the door.

The church in Mayfield has since been dedicated to St Dunstan. Dunstan became the Archbishop of Canterbury from 960 – 988. He founded Mayfield Palace, one of the great residences of the medieval Archbishops of Canterbury. In 1864 it was presented to The Sisters of the Holy Child Jesus and since then remains a Roman Catholic boarding school. To this day, visitors to the convent can see the famous tongs used by St Dunstan, and his anvil.

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Answer 6

This story has been around for so long , at least 6000 years old.
Here is the gist of the story behind the lucky horseshoe.
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The horseshoe’s symbolic nature is also evident within the context of luck. The belief in lucky horseshoes has been prevalent throughout Europe for centuries. And yet, there is one aspect of a horseshoe’s luck that is open for debate. In England and Ireland, the horseshoe is seen as collecting luck, so it must be placed open end up. In other parts of Europe, the horseshoe itself is the source of luck and is placed open end down so that its luck will pour out on those who pass beneath it.

Answer 7

Horse shoe is attached to the foot of the horse so that a horse can run fast on the road or wherever the horse is to tread. It will save him from thorns or any other injury and horse can run faster with horseshoe. Hence a person who gets horseshoe and uses it on entrance door is considered to have achieved speed like horse in achieving material gains. It is associated with speed and that is why in electric and electronic goods the word horsepower is used to indicate the voltage/power. Out of all animals horse runs the fastest so the horseshoe speeds up luck.

Answer 8

RE:
Why is a horseshoe considered lucky?

Answer 9

horseshoe considered lucky

Answer 10

Horseshoes were (and still are) made by Blacksmiths. In olden times the work that they did was considered to be almost magical (alchemical) and eventually the 'magic' was conferred upon the horseshoes they made. To own a piece of this 'magic' was considered good luck