horse shoes?

Question

why do we hang a horse shoe above a door and why only one way up? Are we the onjy culture to do it?

Answer 1

I found this on a supersitions website so apparently it isn't just ends up, but more because of what it was made from and who makes them.

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Horseshoes were originally made from iron, which may also account for the superstitions that are associated with this object.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

The horseshoe goes back to an old tale that begins "For want of a nail a horseshoe was lost" and ends "the battle was lost." The horseshoe was lucky for the winner of the battle.

The horseshoe must be found and be one used on a horse, not purchased. The horseshoe with the round side down is hung at the outtermost entrance to the house or property collecting good luck and protection from lose.

There are tales of it being a Witch bane, but these were propagated by Christians and rather silly because many Witches use horseshoes as described above.

Answer 3

If a horses is hacked out on the roads yes it needs shoes it also needs shoe if its work at home the only time a horse does not need shoes is if for some reason it sore footed, not ridden at all and is just out in a field but it would still need its hooves trimmed every six weeks just the same as if it had shoes on,the horn of the hoof is like our nails it continues to grow, if it gets to long, it splits and can be very painful for the horse to walk on.

Answer 4

Horse shoes are believed to bring good luck, but why I never heard. They are hung from doors with the ends facing up, because that was believed to hold good luck inside. If the horseshoe was turned upside down, the good luck spilled out.

Answer 5

It actually comes from a story about the patron saint of blacksmiths. The story goes that the Devil presented his hoof to him through a door, explaining to him that the horseshoe needed repairs. The future saint, however, recognized him, and began to work at it so harshly that the devil swore he would keep any promise the smith wanted.

According to legend, the smith had Satan promise never to enter a door that had a horseshoe hanging over it.

Various cultures disagree over how you are supposed to place the horseshoe.

Answer 6

well hang them up points upwards stops the luck running out of them.but why they are supposed to be lucky is any ones guess.and as for other cultures doing it.i bet there are lots

The stranger asked to see the shoe;
The farmer brought it into view;
But when the old man raised his head,
He laughed outright and quickly said:
"No wonder skies upon you frown,
You've nailed the horse-shoe upside down;
Just turn it round, and soon you'll see
How you and Fortune will agree."

Answer 7

Most are hung wrongly with the ends pointing down - that way the luck runs out.I try to tell people but they call me silly - they will find out mark my words!
Good luck.
Joan.

Answer 8

First answer is wrong. Hang them upside down, and the luck will fall out. Just a saying.

Answer 9

No many European societies do,,,it has to be positioned with the two ends facing upwards supposedly to catch any luck that may be drifting around

Answer 10

The tradition of using horsehoes as good luck stretches way back. See this page for info:
http://www.luckymojo.com/horseshoe.html