Long before we walked the earth, there were horses in existence. Horses are beautiful animals and seem to have a spiritual presence. They are sensitive beings, who have an immense capability to pick up on human emotions. Perhaps this is why horses throughout the ages have been a focal point of many myths and legends.
The Magical Unicorn.
One of the most well known mythical horses is the Unicorn, which has long captured the heart of the young and the old. Different cultures have different names and legends that pertain to the unicorn. It was a unicorn by the name of Ki Lin which showed Chinese Emperor Fu His, over five thousand years ago, the first characters of written Chinese, so legend has it. The story goes that the unicorn was covered in symbols and the emperor traced them in the dirt on the ground. It is said that this was the origin of written Chinese.
In Arabia the unicorn is called the Karkadaan. This particular version of the unicorn is of a fierce and war-like creature which can manifest itself in different appearances. The first written accounts of a unicorn were in India in 416 BC. White in colour, this creature had dark blue eyes and a long horn atop a dark red head.
At around three feet tall and a mere one hundred pounds, the European unicorn of folklore is like a smaller version of a horse in every way excepting its horn. A white or cream colour is attributed to the unicorn in Northern Europe. Yet Southern European accounts tell of a golden creature, or else one which is almost black. Their horn is said to have magical healing powers.
The modern unicorn is described as similar to the European unicorn, except it is bigger and resembles a horse more closely. It is said to look exactly like a horse with a horn in the middle of its head. It is usually depicted as being pure white, however it has even been described as being colours like pink, purple and blue.
The mythical American version of the unicorn is still very popular today with people all ages, but especially with children. Unicorns can be seen in many toys, movies and written about in books. The unicorn may be only an imaginary being, but it is still an enduring myth and one which continues to be popular even in this modern world.
The Magical Flying Horse.
Another horse type creature that has been written about in mythology and other stories is Pegasus. Pegasus – offspring of Posiedon and Medusa in Greek mythology – was a magnificent white winged horse that was ridden by Bellerophon and had mystic powers. Honoured by the Greek god Zeus, Pegasus was given the special job of carrying Zeus’s thunderbolts. Euippe became Pegasus’s mate and they had two offspring named Melanippe and Celeris. The legend goes that on the last day of Pegasus’s life Zeus changed him into a constellation that can still be seen today.
A Good Luck Symbol.
In many countries and to many people the horseshoe is a symbol of good luck. How exactly this came to be is unclear, yet it is one of the most famous superstitions relating to horses. One theory goes that it is because of the symbolism of the shape which is lucky as this is supposed to be protective. Others believe that the luck emanates from the animal itself. It was once believed that iron was magical metal and that blacksmiths were magicians with supernatural powers. Iron horseshoes were hung in doorways to ward off witches and demons for this reason.
The seven nail holes in each shoe are also a signifier of good luck. In some cultures the number seven is considered a lucky number. One belief held that a horse wearing shoes fashioned from the sword which had spilled the blood of a warrior would be speedy and never tire.
Horses and donkeys seem to have attracted more than their fair share of superstitions and old wives tales over the course of time. Below are listed some bizarre and peculiar beliefs surrounding horses throughout various points in history.
- If a horse stepped in the paw print of a wolf it would become crippled.
- If you change a horse’s name it will bring you bad luck.
- Inhaling a horse’s breath was said to be a cure for whooping cough.
- Both toothache and snakebites can apparently be cured by riding backwards on a donkey.
- To change the bad luck associated with breaking a mirror you would lead a horse through your house.
- Carrying a rowan wood whip would protect your horse from witches’ spells.
- Circling a wart with horse hair would cure it.
- The tail hair of a black stallion worn on the wrist was said to protect the wearer from witches.
- Putting pennies into your water tank would stop a mare being irritable.
- Putting a horse’s skull under the floor where the piano is situated was said to improve the tone of the instrument.
A horse is a beautiful and fascinating creature which does seem to give off this air of mysticism. Certainly they inspire awe in most who are fortunate to come into contact with them. Perhaps this is why they have become such an intricate part of the history of so many varying cultures and civilisations. Horses will always be involved in storytelling, being such an integral part of legend and myth both now and in the future.
This article has been published for the millions of horse enthusiasts all over the world by Animal Friends Equine Insurance – the UK’s only not-for-profit horse insurance provider. You can buy horse rider insurance today online or by phone, and all net profits go towards helping animals in crisis around the globe.