The magic of the lucky horseshoe symbol – what is its meaning?
SEE lucky Horseshoes in our online SHOP :
Horseshoes are probably the most commonly recognised good luck charm or talisman in the Western World – millions of people think that they are lucky, and that the horseshoe symbol is a magically protective amulet or talisman. For this reason, they make a popular gift for a friend or relative and for all sorts of events: The happy couple at a wedding for example (or engagement), the bride or groom, best man or usher; or a colleague in retirement from work, someone moving to a new house, the arrival of a new baby (or at a baby shower) or someone entering a competition, a driving test or other exam. Horseshoe charms are commonly found in jewellery worn as earrings, bracelets and pendants on necklaces, and gifted as good luck charms or talismans to hang on the wall of a house. They are thought to possess some sort of magic. But why?
Since earliest times, man has believed that the crescent or U-shape or symbol was a powerful protective talisman. For the Greeks, it symbolised the crescent moon which was regarded as a symbol of fertility, with links to Moon goddesses such as Artemis and Diana. They were also used to ward off the mischievous celtic fairies.
In one story, St. Dunstan, the favourite saint of the English people, nailed a horseshoe to a horse when he was working as a blacksmith. The horse was actually the Devil in disguise and it caused the Devil great pain. Dunstan only agreed to remove the shoe and release the Devil after he promised never to enter a place with a horseshoe.
The combination of luck, protection, religion, and magic are all captivated by the horseshoe symbol and many people believe it will bring them good luck in the lives and to any special events or occasions – and ward off evil and misfortune / bad luck. In the past, superstition dictated that sailors nailed a horseshoe to the mast of their ship to help their vessel avoid bad weather, storms and disaster. And nowadays, gifting a magic lucky horseshoe charm for a wedding is common.
Should a good luck horseshoe be mounted open end up or down?
“Up” to stop luck running out – “Down” to pour luck onto you. It doesn’t matter, it’s the thought and effect of the charm that matters – the belief in the magic. See our Lucky Charms guide for why this is so.
A good luck horseshoe for a wedding? Lucky Horseshoes are ideal gifts on Wedding Days (for the Guests, Ushers, Bridesmaids, etc) and for friends or loved-ones who are in a Competition, which they can carry as a talisman to give them more confidence in these stressful events like an Exam or a Driving Test.
. . a beautiful gift to pass on wishes of safekeeping
Hand-crafted by specialist silversmiths in Galicia, northern Spain, this sweet little sterling-silver and enamel Guardian Angel charm bears a tiny scallop shell of the Camino de Santiago. The combination of the little Guardian Angel and the Concha de Vieira shell is indicative of both protection and guidance: As a gift to a friend or loved-one, the Angel symbolises a wish to have someone watch over them: The little scallop shell symbolises a journey: PLUS, on the back of this unique and inspiring piece of jewellery, is an engraved Tau Cross of St Francis - the symbol of pilgrims, or people "on a mission" or a journey.
In Spain, some 150,000 people travel to Santiago de Compostela every year from all over the world to find inspiration and/or deeper spiritual understanding. Many carry with them a scallop shell of the Way of St James, a Tau cross, or some other symbol of personal significance like the St James Cross. This necklace (hand-crafted in A Coruña, Galicia, northern Spain) has similar significance.
:)- Gift-Wrapped
:)- Sterling silver chain included
:)- Optional free information card (see photo)
:)- Personal message can be added, free-of-charge
Description: The little angel is made of sterling silver (with enamel) and measures 23mm in length including the hanging bail. There is a tiny sterling-silver scallop shell on the front of the angel and the Tau Cross engraved on the back, symbolic of a journey or pilgrimage. It hangs on an 18" sterling silver diamond cut ball chain which sparkles beautifully in the light. A 20" length is also available: Please choose from the Options box when ordering.
Various colours available: Please choose in Options box.
Info about the Way of St James
The Way of St. James criss-crosses Western Europe, arriving at Santiago through Northern Spain. It is generally regarded as a journey of the body, mind and spirit. Modern pilgrims choose to do the Camino for personal, spiritual and/or religious reasons - or simply to take time out from their busy, modern lives. For many, the walk is to find inspiration - improving their outlook on life, bringing them into closer contact with nature and expanding their cultural horizons through contact with other pilgrims. Everyone experiences the journey in a different way.
This unique guardian angel necklace with its tiny scallop shell and Tau cross, really IS a piece of jewellery with meaning, and is the perfect present to wish someone a 'buen camino' / safe journey . Comes gift-wrapped, like all our presents - and we can print a personal message on your behalf.
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More information about Guardian Angel charms
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All of these are ALSO available in our CENTRAL (Group) SHOP: For example
- Lucky Horseshoe gift for the Wedding Day
- Lucky Horseshoe gift for a Competition
- Lucky Horseshoe gifts for a Driving Test