Horses In Myth And Legend
Horses have been around almost since the beginning of time. 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 Emperor saw that the unicorn was covered in symbols, and traced these into the dirt on the ground before hm. This was the beginning of the Chinese written language.
The Karkadaan is the name by which the unicorn is referred to in Arabia. This particular version of the unicorn is of a fierce and war-like creature which can manifest itself in different appearances. It is from India as far back as 416 BC that we get the first written accounts of a unicorn. They were described as being white in colour, with dark blue eyes, a dark red head and a horn on their forehead that was about a foot and a half long.
The European unicorn – according to folk legend – is like a horse, but smaller in statue, around three feet tall and weighs about 100 pounds. The unicorn of Northern Europe is described as being either white or cream. 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.
Today’s unicorns are depicted as being more closely looking like a horse and a little larger than older descriptions of the European unicorn. The horn in the middle of its forehead is all that differentiates the unicorn from a horse. 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. Many books, films, stories and even kids’ toys feature a mythical beast which we call the unicorn. 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. By way of honour, the Greek god Zeus allowed his thunderbolts to be carried by Pegasus. Celeris and Melanippe were the offspring of Pegasus and Eiuppe. According to the myth, When Pegasus was about to die, Zeus transformed him into a constellation so as he could be honoured forever.
A Good Luck Symbol.
In many countries and to many people the horseshoe is a symbol of good luck. The history of how this famous superstition came about is not clear. The crescent shape of the horse shoe is symbolic of protection, and some say that this is the source of the luck. Others believe that the luck emanates from the animal itself. Blacksmiths were once believed to have supernatural powers; magicians to be able to work with iron, whch was said to have magical powers of its own. 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. There are some cultures in which the number seven is considered lucky. An ancient belief states that if a horse’s shoes were made from the iron of a sword which had killed someone, then that horse would forever be as swift as lightening and never grow fatigued.
Horses and donkeys seem to have attracted more than their fair share of superstitions and old wives tales over the course of time. Some of the strangest and most interesting superstitions surrounding horses are listed below.
- A horse would become crippled if it stepped in a wolf paw print.
- Changing the name of a horse is said to bring bad luck to the horse’s owner.
- To cure whooping cough you inhale a horse’s breath.
- Both toothache and snakebites can apparently be cured by riding backwards on a donkey.
- If you break a mirror, you can reverse the associated bad luck if you walk through your house with a horse.
- By carrying a rowan wood whip you could prevent a witch from casting a spell on your horse.
- 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.
- If you put pennies in your water tank this can prevent a mare becoming irritable or grumpy.
- 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. Most people who spend time around horses talk of their special awe-inspiring qualities. 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.
