Iron in folklore

Iron has an important role in folklore.

Europe

Cold Iron means weapons. Later, it came to mean horseshoes & fences.

• If you put an iron fence around a cemetery, the ghosts can’t leave the cemetery.

• If you put a knife under your doormat, witches can’t enter.

• If you have a horseshoe, you’ll repel evil spirits. Later, it was said to give good luck.

Tibet

In Tibet, iron from meteors is precious. Tibetan gods used weapons made from meteoric iron. Because Tibet is so high, Tibet had many meteors fall.

Iron In Folklore Media

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  A horseshoe wind chime, used as a good luck charm

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  A horseshoe on a door is regarded as a protective talisman in some cultures.

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  Illustration by George Cruikshank for The True Legend of St. Dunstan and the Devil