Why, in many parts of the world, are horseshoes considered to be lucky? There are many theories on this; the representation of a crescent moon, iron was considered to repel evil, association with the lucky profession of a blacksmith are but a few.
A common story is that the Devil saw a horse riding through cobbled streets it’s shoes making a thunderous sound and creating sparks. The Devil told the blacksmith to make shoes for him. Once they were complete the smith pushed the hot metal against the Devils feet and he cried out in pain, as the Devils feet were not hooves. The Devil cried ‘take them off!’ but the blacksmith made the Devil promise first that wherever there was a horseshoe above a door the Devil would not enter.
Whatever the origin of the idea of lucky horseshoes there is a distinct difference in which way to hang them over a door. In the UK and Ireland the horseshoe is hung with the ends uppermost so that the luck does not run out. In the US and other parts of the world it’s points down so the luck will pour out on the people and home below. Whichever way you think it should be why not put a lucky horseshoe over the door of your dolls house, just to be on the safe side?
It is also customary to give a lucky horseshoe to brides to bring good luck to the marriage. Although iron horseshoes can be given, an ornate satin or lace decorative horseshoe is more common. This tradition for horseshoes is more related to the Greek belief that the crescent moon and its horseshoe shape was a sign of fertility.
Available from our web shop in 1:12th and 1:24th scale in metal, or 1:12th scale pattern for crochet bridal horseshoe.
Good luck!