Help ! Need a quote about horse shoes

[tessybear]

Basically as a leaving present i am giving someone a painted horse shoe to represent good luck however this person isn't horsey so need a quote to explain it

Any ideas welcome i am stumped.

 

[be positive]

Possibly not quite what you want but a good one.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/For_Want_of_a_Nail

 

[*hic*]

Have a look at the legend of St Dunstan

 

[Polos Mum]

Not really a quote but might explain it to her

There are two reasons for the horseshoe being considered lucky that are widely agreed upon by scholars. One, is the fact that the horse shoe is a crescent shape. The other is the fact that the horse shoe is made of iron. However, it has also been suggested that the horseshoe's luck may have something to do with its connection to the animal itself.

The crescent, is the symbol of the great goddess, or triple goddess, who is worshiped by a large number of ancient civilizations. The crescent is therefore often considered to be a protective shape. This, combined with iron, makes the horseshoe a powerful symbol. Iron, because of its strength, was thought to be a very special and even somewhat magical material. Those who were able to work it, such as black smiths, were believed to be magicians with supernatural abilities. It was believed that iron could ward off demons and witches and horseshoes were often hung on people's front doors for this reason.

The horse shoe also has seven nail holes, and seven is amongst certain cultures, considered to be a lucky number. This could have something to do with the horseshoe being lucky, or could just be a mere coincidence. It was also once believed that if a horse were shod with shoes made from the iron of a sword by which a man has been killed, the horse would be exceptionally fast and would never tire.

It is also possible that the horseshoe was once used as a symbol in the ancient practice of serpent worship. Engravings of both snakes and horse shoes can be found on ancient stones and medals. Also, in front of a church in Credi, (a town in southern Malta) there is a statue at whose feet lay the protective symbol of a half moon encircled by a snake.

In ancient Asiatic and Egyptian cultures the serpent is considered to be divine because of its elegant motion, its ability to shed its skin, its eyes, and they way it springs upon its prey. The worship of these creatures is a very ancient practice, which was once nearly worldwide. ( www.sacred-texts.com)

The most interesting possibility for the lucky horseshoe superstition is perhaps its association with the horse itself. The horse has been a beloved and sometimes even worshiped animal amongst cultures all over the world, so it would make sense that the shoe of such a magnificent animal would be valued. There is a myth amongst the English in which the horse is considered a luck-bringer, and horse-worship was common practice amongst the early Celts, Teutons, and Slavs.