Why do they hang a horseshoe over the door for good luck

Each nation has its own talismans that bring happiness and good luck. For many centuries, a horseshoe has been considered such a sacred object. For this talisman to work, it is hung over the door, following certain rules. How did this custom appear and do all the horseshoes brought into the house bring happiness to its inhabitants?

The horseshoe was considered a happy subject not only in Russia. The great American physicist and inventor Thomas Edison said: "A horseshoe brings good luck, even to those who do not believe in omens." If a person who left a mark on world science thought so, then it is quite possible to believe in the properties of horseshoes.

The origins of belief in the special properties of horseshoes must be sought in ancient Egypt. When the pharaoh rode a chariot to the people during big holidays, horseshoes often fell off the horses' hooves. They became the prey of ordinary Egyptians, who believed in the divine origin of their ruler and the sanctity of any object associated with him.

It is said that at one time the horseshoes of the pharaoh's horses were made of gold, which further increased their value. Most likely, this is nothing more than a legend, because the precious metal is completely unsuitable for such purposes because of its softness. Nevertheless, it was the Egyptians who first began to use horseshoes as good luck charms.

Experts in the field of magic believe that a horseshoe for good luck should only be hung above the door with the horns down. This tradition has operated in Rus' since time immemorial. Esotericists claim that in this case, cosmic energy flows down from the amulet. But in the East, on the contrary, horseshoes were fixed with the horns up and expected that this would bring prosperity to the house. The horseshoe in this case symbolizes a full bowl.

The age of the horseshoe, its type, condition and material do not play any role. But whether it was used for its intended purpose is very important. It is believed that if a horseshoe was worn by a horse, then its magical power would be much higher. At the same time, products from the hind hoof are of particular value. Horseshoes found on the road have always been considered the most valuable. In this case, they could be used to attract good luck right on the spot. The person who made the discovery had to make a wish, spit on the horseshoe, throw it over his left shoulder and leave without looking back.

Oddly enough, even the Christian Church recognizes the magical power of horseshoes. In the British city of Suffolk, in one of the ancient temples, a horseshoe is immured into a wall to protect it from evil spirits. Horseshoes above the door could also be found in the homes of Orthodox priests. There is even a Christian parable that this simple object can captivate the Devil himself. For some reason, he always walks in circles and, once on a horseshoe, will be forced to wander along its open ring back and forth endlessly.

In England and Scotland, belief in the power of horseshoes is associated with Saint Dunstan. According to legend, he was a blacksmith and one day the Devil himself appeared to him. A horseshoe fell off his hoof and it was necessary to put it back in place. But the saint seized the unclean man by the nose with red-hot tongs. The devil begged him to let him go, and Dunstan took from him a promise never to enter the houses, over the doors of which hangs a horseshoe.

They believed in the happy power of horseshoes not only on land, but also at sea. The famous English naval commander Horatio Nelson had a horseshoe nailed to the mast of the flagship Victoria for good luck. Perhaps it was thanks to her that the admiral was able to win so many glorious victories in naval battles.