THE HORSE-SHOE SUPERSTITION

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 7 April 1934, Page 2

THE HORSE-SHOE SUPERSTITION

LUCK-BRINGING QUALITIES Which side up should you hang a horseshoe? There is no question of course, about its luck-bringing qualities. In the old tradition it is most potent if you find it, but still efficacious if you buy it, borrow it off a horse, or find it 'in the Christmas pudding According to one book the horseshoe of good omen is not a horse-shoe at all, but merely the crescent moon. “The most common symbol of Isis was a crescent moon which was worn by Roman women upon their shoes as a safeguard against witchcraft and to prevent the evin spirits or the moon from afflicting them with delusions, hysteria, or lunacy; also to attract the good will of Isis, that they might be successful in love, happy in motherhood, and fortunate in life.” In support of this origin it is curious to note that th e sign of the horse-shoe (or crescent) is found on ancient Maya temples in Central America, dating from days when horses were certainly unshod. In all the crests of noble families, such as the Ferrers (or farriers), who adopted the horse-slioe as a symbol, the points were downwards. They are thus in the arms of William de Ferrers, Earl of Ferrers, in 1254, at a. time when a belief in luck, pixies, witches, and similar nhenomena were unclouded by philosophic doubts. On the whole, research shows that the “Points Upwards School” has the verdict. Nelson had a horse-shoe nailed with points upwards to the mast of the Victory, and in the country districts of England the belief is universal that unless the points are upwards the luck will run out. One theory is that the devil once called on St. Dunstan, who was supposed to be an expert farrier, and asked him to shoe his single hoof. The saint tied the devil up securely, burnt him until lie roared with pain, only releasing him on his promise never to enter any house over (the (door of which was nailed a liorse-shoe. Those who wished to be on the safe side nowadays are recommended to hang two horse-sjioes over their doors, cue up, one down. And if you really wish to puzzle your friends, ask them how many nails there are in a horse-shoe. The correct answer is seven.—“ Daily Mail.”