The history of most folk talismans and amulets goes back to ancient times. However, one of the most popular amulets in the world became widespread not so long ago. The tradition of hanging a talisman such as a horse's shoe over the front door goes back several hundred years, and you can make a talisman with your own hands. Moreover, it is not at all necessary to be a blacksmith for this.
Why is the devil afraid of the blacksmith?
In the folklore of many countries there are tales about the confrontation between the blacksmith and the devil. When Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol wrote about the adventures of the blacksmith Vakula, he drew inspiration from folk tales. But where did these stories come from? Having found the answer to this question, you can also find out why people decorate their houses with a horseshoe. Moreover, this tradition exists not only in Slavic lands.
The history of the symbol began in the tenth century. One day the Devil himself appeared to the blacksmith Dunstan. Having heard about Dunstan's skill, the horned client ordered the blacksmith to shoe him.
The cunning blacksmith pretended to be scared and willingly agreed. However, he told the devil that he needed to be chained to the wall so that he would not twitch due to tickling, otherwise his new “shoes” would sit crookedly. The stupid horned one agreed and obediently allowed himself to be chained by the blacksmith. Then the blacksmith heated a horseshoe and applied it to his paw. The devil howled in pain, but could not escape - the blacksmith chained him to his conscience.
Neither the threats nor the entreaties of the evil one had any result. Until, finally, he gave the blacksmith his word that from now on, no hoof or paw of any of the hellish creatures would cross the threshold of the dwelling, over the entrance to which a horseshoe amulet would hang.
The unclean one kept his word. The cunning blacksmith also benefited from the deal. It is not known for certain whether he gave the amulets to neighbors as gifts or perhaps sold them. However, very soon he somehow, from a simple blacksmith, became the Archbishop of Canterbury, and after his death he was even canonized. And this is no longer a legend, but a historical fact.
What rules should you follow?
A horseshoe for luck after horses is the oldest amulet among the Slavs, which gives a person the opportunity to get rich and makes him more successful; one might say that this is a kind of ticket to the Klondike. They used them like real horseshoes, hanging them in the home, putting them under the pillow for good luck, wearing them on the neck as a pendant, on the arm as a bracelet pendant, and even made themselves a tattoo with this image. There are even some fortune tellings in which a horseshoe is necessarily used. However, if you want to create a talisman with your own hands that will work for you, you should follow some rules when creating it.
- It is forbidden to create a horseshoe for yourself, it is believed that it is better to give a horseshoe as a gift, this does not apply to the original horseshoe after the horse
- When you start creating an amulet amulet, you need to free your thoughts from negativity, think only about the good and believe in yourself
- The most powerful talismans are considered to be those that were given by the closest people, that is, relatives or parents, as well as brothers and sisters.
- It is important to think through all the nuances, that is, carefully choose the material in accordance with the preferences of the person, his zodiac sign, and so on.
- It is important during creation to think about what you would like to wish for the person for whom the horseshoe talisman is intended; nothing else should be in your head.
Spread of tradition and amulet
Because of this legend, it is believed that the tradition of protecting a home with a horse talisman originated in England. Horseshoes themselves were invented by Celtic or, according to another version, Gallic masters, around the fifth century AD. And only during the reign of Peter the Great the tradition spread in Russian lands. The first European horse riding school was founded in 1732 in the village of Khoroshevo near Moscow. So the horse talisman over the doors of the Slavs first appeared only a little over three hundred years ago.
Traditions of making a talisman and its features
A horse amulet accidentally found on the road is considered a particularly auspicious symbol. Apparently the reason is its rarity. Today it is easier to find a wallet or mobile phone dropped by someone than a real horse's shoe.
However, buying horse talismans is not difficult. They are readily sold by blacksmiths who forge amulets directly for sale, following tradition. There are many souvenir shops and amulets stamped on assembly lines by Chinese craftsmen - the symbol is also popular in the East. However, the most practical needlewomen can make a horseshoe amulet at home, from materials at hand.
There are no special requirements for the materials or the size of the amulet. All souvenirs are considered equally effective. However, real craftswomen, experts in folk crafts, recommend following tradition when making your own talisman.
Symbolism is of considerable importance in the Slavic tradition. Therefore, craftswomen decorate home talismans with special details and materials.
- The red pepper pods on the product are a symbol of hot passion. They are appropriate for a talisman that is presented as a gift to newlyweds or a spouse.
- Wheat or rye ears, corn kernels and cobs, pumpkin seeds on the amulet are symbols of fertility. An amulet decorated with these symbols can be given as a wedding gift or hung in your own home.
- Chamomile on a souvenir is traditionally considered a symbol of marital fidelity.
- In order for the talisman to bring prosperity, it is decorated with beans, bags of grain, and coins. This is a wonderful gift for new residents.
- A small broom on the talisman will bring money if it is attached upside down. And if the broom is attached with the handle up, the gift will protect the family from quarrels.
- Souvenir decorations such as a sunflower and bread, as well as a pair of miniature bast shoes made of any material, also contribute to peace in the family.
- Bay leaves traditionally promise glory. Garlic and onions also contribute to it.
- Rose hips and rowan tassels are symbols of unfading beauty.
- Fir and pine cones are a symbol of longevity or, according to another version, a symbol of hard work.
- If you decorate a horseshoe with a poppy box, it will help your cherished dream come true.
- A red ribbon on a souvenir brings good luck.
- Field herbs on the product are a symbol of health.
- Half a walnut is a symbol of the intelligence of the owner of the talisman. A horseshoe amulet with such decoration will be a good gift for a student or for children attending school.
However, it should be noted that a do-it-yourself horseshoe amulet is effective if the souvenir is made as a gift and not for yourself. Some sources even claim that a hand-made product is unsuitable for use. If the craftswoman wants to make a souvenir that is ideally suited to the needs of her family, she can give the product to her husband, children, or parents. Thus, the man-made symbol of happiness will remain in the house.
Where is the best place to place it?
Traditionally, the amulet is hung on a nail above the front door. In Rus', the correct position was considered to be both up and down. In the first case, the talisman signified home - a full cup, and in the second - it protected from troubles and warded off evil.
In Europe, the talisman is often picked up to recharge with happiness. Mexicans do not allow anyone to touch their horseshoe, but Italians, on the contrary, hang it so low that those entering touch it, sharing their luck. In any case, the amulet will bring good luck if you believe in its power and do not doubt its possibilities.
Choosing material for a souvenir
As already mentioned, there are no special requirements for the material from which the souvenir will be made. The craftswoman does not have to use exclusively natural materials for the product - it is quite acceptable to make jewelry from plastic or polymer clay. The base of the product can be made of plywood, but cardboard will also work. The crafter can use materials she already has at home, or buy everything she might need in advance from a craft store.
However, according to tradition, souvenirs have the greatest power; the craftswoman approaches the selection of materials for them not only from an aesthetic point of view, but also from an energetic one. To do this, you need to apply a simple ritual.
Before making a horseshoe with her own hands, the craftswoman needs to take a round mirror and light a candle. While it is burning, you need to circle it clockwise around the edge of the mirror several times. At this time, the craftswoman should think about the person to whom the future product is intended as a gift. Then the mirror is placed with the reflective surface up, and on top of it, in turn, is each of the materials with which the craftswoman wants to decorate the gift.
Closing her eyes, the craftswoman needs to put her hand on the symbol and listen to her own feelings. A feeling of warmth will tell the craftswoman that the choice of material has been made correctly. Cold fingers are a sign that the material for the souvenir is not suitable.
DIY creation
A horseshoe, the drawing of which was made by hand, is distinguished by its individual style and originality. But if you have no drawing skills at all, there is no need to despair. There are many suitable photos on the Internet that will become a beautiful basis for a stencil.
How to draw
The symbolic image is usually drawn in the shape of a semicircle with elongated ends.
Easy to draw by hand, or using a compass and ruler:
If it was not possible to draw, download the finished image on the Internet and print the desired size on paper.
Topiary in a bag
Topiary is a tree for wealth.
For an original gift you will need burlap, cardboard, a piece of wire, plaster, coins and twine.
Souvenir bills sticking out of the bag will enliven the composition.
From the test
The salted dough is kneaded in advance so that it acquires the necessary plasticity.
Thoroughly mix a glass of flour, ¾ glass of very fine salt and a little ice water, and then perform the following actions:
The red ribbon of the pendant symbolizes wealth. For reliable fastening, chains and cords are also used.
From coffee beans
The aroma of coffee beans creates a unique coziness in the home, and interior decoration with such decor symbolizes prosperity and warmth. Pendants made of dough, wood, and clay are used as a base.
You can make a horseshoe for luck with your own hands from coffee beans like this:
To make the grains stick more easily, the part is covered with burlap or nylon. A few small bows or sparkly coins will add some sparkle.
Magnet
To make a refrigerator magnet, cut out several small pieces from lightweight corrugated cardboard.
Souvenir for good luck:
To make the magnet look appropriate in a kitchen setting, needlewomen decorate it with dry citrus slices, peppercorns, and small artificial fruits.
From candy
An original edible amulet will delight the birthday child or newlywed couple. For it you will need chocolates in the form of medals or coins, a base of two cardboard parts.
The template is drawn taking into account the width of the candies.
Such an original gift looks good in a basket with other sweets or on a small stand in the form of a tiny cake made of chocolate bars.
From twine
Jute or linen twine is an excellent natural material that looks good with coins and beads, as well as with aromatic dry spices.
Talisman for a rustic kitchen:
Paper souvenir bills rolled into beautiful tubes will add solidity, and coins will add shine. Colorful braid and beads will add flavor and color.
A simple home amulet - horseshoe
Here is the simplest and most universal master class on making a horseshoe amulet.
- To begin with, the needlewoman needs to make the base of the horseshoe. The template below should be printed at the desired size. You need to outline it and cut out a frame from a sheet of cardboard. If the material is thin or soft, you should make several cardboard horseshoes and glue them together.
- The finished horseshoe base is covered with fabric. You can use burlap, linen and even bright synthetics. A base wrapped with ribbon or twine also looks good. A great option is to crochet the frame of the souvenir.
- The selected decorations should be attached to the prepared base. They need to be sewn or glued with a glue gun.
- If you plan to hang the souvenir on the wall, you need to attach a loop to the back of the amulet.
Decoration with candies ()
Now we come to the most delicious and interesting part - decorating sweets. We will need round candies to make roses. To do this, we tuck the “tail” of the wrapper with tape; you can simply wrap it inside the candy. We will attach the second “tail” from the candy to a toothpick. To do this, unfold the candy a little, place a toothpick under the base itself and secure it well with a thread, and also with tape for reliability. In this way we prepare 10 toothpicks. Dollar bills will serve as rose petals. We will need four bills for one rose.
Cut the bill in half, take a toothpick, and use it to curl the corners. This is how we get petals. Then we glue double-sided tape to the petal blanks. In this way we prepare 80 petals.
Now it's time to start assembling the flowers. The first row of our rose will consist of three petals, and the second - of five. We arrange the petals evenly and glue them. We try to glue the second row approximately from the middle of the petal of the previous row.
We only have the second type of candy left – rectangular. It is better to select the length of the candies to match the height of the base circle. Let’s say if we took four cm, then the length of the candies should be 4 – 4.5 cm. We twist the “tails” and move one tail to the side and secure it with tape on the back side of the candy. We do the same with the second “tail”.
We prepare the rest of the candies in this way. There should be enough of them to cover the entire side surface of the round part. To do this, take double-sided tape. After you have glued the candies, take a satin ribbon and wrap it around the candies, the outer part, for now, just secure with a pin. Then, to hide the joints in the inner part of the circle, we take the ribbon and glue it. Now all that remains is to process our horseshoe with braid.
The final step will be to strengthen the horseshoe on the base. It is attached with two toothpicks, carefully pierce the horseshoe and insert it into the composition. All that remains is to decorate the horseshoe with roses. We also made them using toothpicks, so we carefully insert them into the horseshoe. All that remains is to secure the ribbon - you can make a bow at the junction. And now, the composition is ready!
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Such a beautiful horseshoe can be given as a gift for any occasion; it will undoubtedly give the happiest emotions to its owner, in addition, it is also a very tasty gift.
Fragrant talismans
To not only decorate the interior, but also fill the room with a pleasant aroma, you can decorate the base of the amulet with coffee beans. The craftswoman should take roasted and green grains for horseshoeing. They are attached to the fabric base of the product using glue. You need to start with the outline of the horseshoe.
You can also use fragrant herbs: mint, lemon balm. A small amount should be placed in a bag, which must be attached to the base of the horseshoe. As the smell fades, it is renewed with a drop of aroma oil, which is applied to the bag. Such a fragrant horseshoe can be hung not only in the apartment, but also in the car - a homemade elegant fragrance for the interior will be an excellent gift.
Let's prepare the base ()
Let's start with the patterns.
You can draw a horseshoe pattern yourself or download it from the Internet. We also cut out a circle with a diameter of 19 cm. Then we take a piece of penoplex or polystyrene foam 2 centimeters high, apply a horseshoe template to it and carefully trace it.
Using a knife, cut a horseshoe made of foam plastic along the line. Of course, it won’t work out perfectly smooth; there will still be some unevenness along the edges, so we will need fine sandpaper to smooth out these unevenness.
Now we need to cut out the base of the composition. For this we need polystyrene foam 4 centimeters thick. Attach the template and trace it. Then cut it out with a knife. And after the circle is cut, we go along the edges with sandpaper.
Now we need to beautifully decorate the horseshoe and the stand for it. For this we will need templates again. Let's prepare corrugated paper. Let's start by cutting out a circle. We need to cut out two parts, while making an allowance of 1 cm along the entire diameter - we will get 2 identical circles 20 cm in diameter. In order to completely seal the round foam piece with corrugated paper, we still have to cut out a strip 4 cm wide - the side strip.
Now we trace the horseshoe template on corrugated paper with an allowance of 1 cm and carefully cut it out. We also cut out a ribbon for the side surface of the horseshoe.
Using hot glue, we glue the foam plastic or penoplex with corrugated paper so that all the parts are completely covered around the perimeter.
Edible souvenir as a gift for children
It will take no more than a quarter of an hour to make the product, provided that you managed to buy chocolate medals and a sheet of foil in advance. Therefore, a souvenir is a real find for those who urgently need to make an original, inexpensive gift for children.
The cardboard base is wrapped in foil. Use double-sided tape or a glue gun to attach chocolate medals or any other candies to the gift. The finished product looks expensive and elegant, but such a gift costs a penny.
Salt dough amulet
Horseshoes made from hard salted dough are very popular today. Making such a talisman is very simple.
- The dough must be kneaded from flour, water and salt, and the salt should be strong - a tablespoon of salt per cup of flour.
- The dough is rolled out into a sheet about a centimeter thick, a horseshoe is cut out according to the template - this is the basis of the product.
- The base should be dried in the oven at moderate temperature.
- Using an awl, holes should be made in the dried base for fastening.
- Decorate the horseshoe with decor from the leftover dough.
- The product is baked until golden brown and the horseshoe is allowed to cool.
- The horseshoe is first coated with two layers of primer, then varnish, and allowed to dry.
- Acrylic should be used to paint the amulet.
What to do if you are lucky enough to find a horseshoe talisman
The lucky ones who managed to take possession of a used horse shoe can improve its appearance before decorating the house with a talisman.
- Using a rust converter, traces of corrosion are removed from the product.
- The surface of a horse's shoe is sanded with a file and sandpaper.
- You can order amalgam coating from a jewelry workshop, but this is an expensive service.
- The amulet is opened with varnish in two or three layers and allowed to dry.
- Decor can be added as desired. Usually, according to tradition, a horse amulet is decorated with a bell.
A find processed in this way can be kept for yourself or given to a loved one. Such a gift given for housewarming is especially appreciated.
Modern assortment
Today, horseshoes are made from different materials: iron, copper, as well as gold and silver.
But the most revered among all is still the black, “worn” horseshoe - a symbol of abundance and prosperity, happiness and luck. A “correct” horseshoe should be made of iron, without any inscriptions or drawings. Usually a horse wears a horseshoe for about a month, after which it is removed, cleaned, washed and treated. After grinding and polishing, a decorative coating of precious metals is applied to it by galvanic means. It can be matte gold or silver. After which it is coated with varnish. It is then beautifully packaged. The result is an original gift for any occasion.
The range of these products is large, but they all carry a charge of positive energy. For example, a horseshoe with hearts can be painted white or coated with platinum - it will make a wonderful gift for a wedding celebration. By adding Swarovski rhinestones to such a horseshoe, you will get a completely original gift for your beloved girl. This is also a great housewarming gift.
They also give horseshoes to motorists and store them in the glove compartment, away from prying eyes.
