subject: The Horseshoe's Story [print this page] Of the many things that symbolize luck or good fortune, the horseshoe is probably one of the most well known symbols. The horseshoe as a lucky charm is quite common in North America and in Europe. It is believed that there is no greater sign of luck coming your way than finding a horseshoe with the open hoof space facing towards you. In North America and Britain, Italy, Germany, and in the Scandinavian countries, it can be seen hung on doors, walls, houses, barns, and stables. Today they can be seen not only on the doors but on cards, posters, key chains, and on peoples fingers, hanging from their necks, and dangling from their ears.
The tradition of placing horseshoes on the walls is not a modern notion. It had been hung on walls since the time of the Greeks and the Romans. But the real reason why they hung them on their walls no one actually can say definitely. And whether the similarity in the shapes between the horseshoe and the Greek letter OMEGA has any real significance is, no one can really tell. All theories up to the present moment can be said to be nothing more than just some likely perhaps.
Some of the horse shoes were placed on the hoof using seven nails. The number seven, of course, is also associated with luck and good fortune. There are also two ways of hanging the horseshoes. Some hang it pointing up with the belief that it will gather luck. Some hang it pointing down saying it will shower luck on you.
One thing is sure though, people do associate horseshoes with luck. And though it was originally believed that the horseshoe must be found by the person himself, horseshoe shaped products can now be seen in the market in different forms and made with different materials. And people do buy and count on them for whatever little luck that may come their way. I guess no one will really mind running into a little luck around the corner.
