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{{Mergefrom|cold iron|date=July 2009}}
'''] in mythology''' and folklore has a long and varied tradition throughout the world. As human blood smells of iron of which it is largely constituted, and blood in many traditions is equated with the ], similarly iron and minerals have been attributed as being the blood or life-force of the Earth. This relationship is charted further in literature on ] and ] and ]. ]'s observation of stellar formation champions iron as the core of celestial bodies. '''] in mythology''' and folklore has a long and varied tradition throughout the world. As human blood smells of iron of which it is largely constituted, and blood in many traditions is equated with the ], similarly iron and minerals have been attributed as being the blood or life-force of the Earth. This relationship is charted further in literature on ] and ] and ]. ]'s observation of stellar formation champions iron as the core of celestial bodies.


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==Cold iron== ==Cold iron==
] is sometimes asserted to repel, contain, or harm ]s, ], ]es, and/or other malevolent ] creatures. This belief continued into later ]s in a number of forms: '''Cold iron''' is a poetic and archaic term for ], referring to the fact that it feels cold to the touch. In modern usage the term has been most associated with folkloric beliefs that iron could ward off ]s, ], ]es, and/or other malevolent ] creatures.

] ''1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue'' defines cold iron as "A sword, or any other weapon for cutting or stabbing." This usage often appears as "cold steel" in modern parlance.

"Cold iron" is sometimes asserted to repel, contain, or harm ]s, ], ]es, and/or other malevolent ] creatures. This belief continued into later ]s in a number of forms:
* Nailing an iron ] to a ] was said to repel ]s or later, to bring good luck. * Nailing an iron ] to a ] was said to repel ]s or later, to bring good luck.
* Surrounding a ] with an iron ] was thought to contain the ]s of the ]. * Surrounding a ] with an iron ] was thought to contain the ]s of the ].
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In his story, "]," the ] author ] wrote, "Your wife's a witch, man; you should nail a horse-shoe on your chamber-door." In his story, "]," the ] author ] wrote, "Your wife's a witch, man; you should nail a horse-shoe on your chamber-door."

]'s poem "]" used the term poetically to mean 'weapon'.


In mythology, the term "cold iron" is sometimes only applied to cold-worked iron of ]ic origin, or having fallen from a meteor, {{Citation needed|date=February 2007}}, as such metal has never been heated by ] agency. ] iron must be ] first, so such iron may or may not be considered "cold iron", depending on the source consulted. In mythology, the term "cold iron" is sometimes only applied to cold-worked iron of ]ic origin, or having fallen from a meteor, {{Citation needed|date=February 2007}}, as such metal has never been heated by ] agency. ] iron must be ] first, so such iron may or may not be considered "cold iron", depending on the source consulted.


==Faeries and iron== ==Faeries and iron==
Iron, particularly ], was employed as a protective substance or charm against ]. In various folklores, Supernatural creatures are held to hold an aversion to iron or even be harmed by the touch of iron. Conversely, amongst Asian traditions, there are tales of ironworking fairy. Iron, particularly "Cold iron", was employed as a protective substance or charm against ]. In various folklores, Supernatural creatures are held to hold an aversion to iron or even be harmed by the touch of iron. Conversely, amongst Asian traditions, there are tales of ironworking fairy.


== For luck== == For luck==
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Another theory concerning the placing of horseshoes above doorways is to ward off ]; the theory being that supernatural beings are repelled by iron and as horseshoes were an easily available source of iron, they could be nailed above a door to prevent any unwanted, otherworldly guests. Another theory concerning the placing of horseshoes above doorways is to ward off ]; the theory being that supernatural beings are repelled by iron and as horseshoes were an easily available source of iron, they could be nailed above a door to prevent any unwanted, otherworldly guests.


===Meteoric Iron in Tibet=== ==Meteoric Iron in Tibet==
'''''Thogcha''''' means 'sky-iron' in Tibetan. Meteoric iron was highly prized throughout the Himalayas where it was included in sophisticated polymetallic alloys for ritual implements such as the ] (Jansen, 1992) and ] (Müller-Ebeling, ''et al.'', 2002). '''''Thogcha''''' means 'sky-iron' in Tibetan. Meteoric iron was highly prized throughout the Himalayas where it was included in sophisticated polymetallic alloys for ritual implements such as the ] (Jansen, 1992) and ] (Müller-Ebeling, ''et al.'', 2002).


===Blood and ochre=== ==Blood and ochre==
In many ] traditions ochre and blood, both high in iron content and considered ], are applied to the bodies of dancers for ritual. As Lawlor (1991: p.&nbsp;102-103) states:<blockquote> In many ] traditions ochre and blood, both high in iron content and considered ], are applied to the bodies of dancers for ritual. As Lawlor (1991: p.&nbsp;102-103) states:<blockquote>
In many Aboriginal rituals and ceremonies, red ochre is rubbed all over the naked bodies of the dancers. In secret, sacred male ceremonies, blood extracted from the veins of the participant's arms is exchanged and rubbed on their bodies. Red ochre is used in similar ways in less secret ceremonies. Blood is also used to fasten the feathers of birds onto people's bodies. Bird feathers contain a protein that is highly magnetically sensitive. In many Aboriginal rituals and ceremonies, red ochre is rubbed all over the naked bodies of the dancers. In secret, sacred male ceremonies, blood extracted from the veins of the participant's arms is exchanged and rubbed on their bodies. Red ochre is used in similar ways in less secret ceremonies. Blood is also used to fasten the feathers of birds onto people's bodies. Bird feathers contain a protein that is highly magnetically sensitive.
</blockquote> Lawlor comments that blood employed in this fashion is held by these peoples to attune the dancers to the invisible energetic realm of the Dreamtime. Lawlor then draws information from different disciplines charting a relationship between these invisible energetic realms and ]. Iron and ] having a marked relationship. </blockquote> Lawlor comments that blood employed in this fashion is held by these peoples to attune the dancers to the invisible energetic realm of the Dreamtime. Lawlor then draws information from different disciplines charting a relationship between these invisible energetic realms and ]. Iron and ] having a marked relationship.


===Songlines, magnetic fields and wayfinding=== ==Songlines, magnetic fields and wayfinding==


Lawlor (1991: p.&nbsp;105) quotes the ]s F. A. Brown and F. H. Barnwell who have conducted research on the biological effects of the Earth's magnetic field (and particularly how it relates with directionality and wayfinding): Lawlor (1991: p.&nbsp;105) quotes the ]s F. A. Brown and F. H. Barnwell who have conducted research on the biological effects of the Earth's magnetic field (and particularly how it relates with directionality and wayfinding):
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==References== ==References==
<references /> <references />
==Futher Reading==
* ] (2003). ''Ethiopian evil eye belief and the magical symbolism of iron working.'' Source: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m2386/is_3_114/ai_n6118470 (accessed: Thursday, March 15, 2007) * ] (2003). ''Ethiopian evil eye belief and the magical symbolism of iron working.'' Source: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m2386/is_3_114/ai_n6118470 (accessed: Thursday, March 15, 2007)
* ] (1991). ''Voices Of The First Day: Awakening in the Aboriginal dreamtime.'' Rochester, Vermont: ] International, Ltd. ISBN 0-89281-355-5 * ] (1991). ''Voices Of The First Day: Awakening in the Aboriginal dreamtime.'' Rochester, Vermont: ] International, Ltd. ISBN 0-89281-355-5
* ] (1992). ''Singing bowls: a practical handbook of instruction and use''. Holland: ] Publications. (Refer partial scanning of book on following metalinkage (accessed: 1 December 2006). * ] (1992). ''Singing bowls: a practical handbook of instruction and use''. Holland: ] Publications. (Refer partial scanning of book on following metalinkage (accessed: 1 December 2006).
* ] and ] and ] (2002). ''Shamanism and Tantra in the Himalayas''. Transl. by ]. Rochester, Vt.: Inner Traditions. * ] and ] and ] (2002). ''Shamanism and Tantra in the Himalayas''. Transl. by ]. Rochester, Vt.: Inner Traditions.
* {{cite book
| last = Bealer
| first = Alex W.
| authorlink = Alex W. Bealer
| coauthors =
| title = The Art of Blacksmithing
| publisher = Castle Books
| year = 1995
| location = Edison, NJ
| pages = 41–42
| doi =
| isbn = 978-0-7858-0395-9 }}

* {{cite book
| last = Kosmerl
| first = Frank
| authorlink = Frank Kosmerl
| coauthors =
| title =
| publisher = Chronicle of the Early American Industries Association, Inc., The
| month = December | year = 2001
| location =
| pages =
| doi =
| id = }}

*Briggs, Robin. ''Witches & Neighbours: The Social and Cultural Context of European Witchcraft''. Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk: HarperCollins Publishers. 1996. ISBN 0002158442.
*Elworthy, Frederick Thomas. ''The Evil Eye: An Account of This Ancient and Widespread Superstition''. New York: Bell Publishing Company. 1989. ISBN 0517679442. Reprint of the 1895 original.
*Guiley, Rosemary Ellen. ''The Encyclopedia of Witches and Witchcraft''. New York: Facts On File, 1989. ISBN 978-0-8160-2268-7.
*Lawrence, Robert Means, M.D. ''The Magic of the Horseshoe with Other Folk-Lore Notes''. Boston and New York: Houghton, Mifflin, and Company, 1898.

==See also==
* ]
* ]


]
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]
]
] ]

Revision as of 04:55, 8 September 2009

Iron in mythology and folklore has a long and varied tradition throughout the world. As human blood smells of iron of which it is largely constituted, and blood in many traditions is equated with the life-force, similarly iron and minerals have been attributed as being the blood or life-force of the Earth. This relationship is charted further in literature on geomancy and ley lines and songlines. Fred Hoyle's observation of stellar formation champions iron as the core of celestial bodies.

Plutarch

In Plutarch's mystical writings, iron and lodestone is referred to the as 'bone' or 'core' of the gods. Symbolically, iron is the bone, the foundation or the mineral core of both blood and red ochre.

Cold iron

Cold iron is a poetic and archaic term for iron, referring to the fact that it feels cold to the touch. In modern usage the term has been most associated with folkloric beliefs that iron could ward off ghosts, fairies, witches, and/or other malevolent supernatural creatures.

Francis Grose's 1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue defines cold iron as "A sword, or any other weapon for cutting or stabbing." This usage often appears as "cold steel" in modern parlance.

"Cold iron" is sometimes asserted to repel, contain, or harm ghosts, fairies, witches, and/or other malevolent supernatural creatures. This belief continued into later superstitions in a number of forms:

In his story, "Redgauntlet," the Scottish author Sir Walter Scott wrote, "Your wife's a witch, man; you should nail a horse-shoe on your chamber-door."

Rudyard Kipling's poem "Cold Iron" used the term poetically to mean 'weapon'.

In mythology, the term "cold iron" is sometimes only applied to cold-worked iron of meteoric origin, or having fallen from a meteor, , as such metal has never been heated by human agency. Mined iron must be smelted first, so such iron may or may not be considered "cold iron", depending on the source consulted.

Faeries and iron

Iron, particularly "Cold iron", was employed as a protective substance or charm against faeries. In various folklores, Supernatural creatures are held to hold an aversion to iron or even be harmed by the touch of iron. Conversely, amongst Asian traditions, there are tales of ironworking fairy.

For luck

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

Horseshoes are considered a good luck charm in many cultures, including those of England and Denmark, and its shape, fabrication, placement and manner of sourcing are all important. A common tradition is that if a horseshoe is hung on a door with the two ends pointing up (as shown here) then good luck will occur. However, if the two ends point downwards then bad luck will occur. Traditions do differ on this point, though. In some cultures, the horseshoe is hung points down (so the luck pours onto you); in others, it is hung points up (so the luck doesn't fall out); still in others it doesn't matter so long as the horseshoe has been used (not new), was found (not purchased), and can be touched. In all traditions, luck is contained in the shoe and can pour out through the ends.

In some traditions, any good or bad luck achieved will only occur to the owner of the horseshoe, not the person who hangs it up. Therefore, if the horseshoe was stolen, borrowed or even just found then the owner, not the person who found or stole the horseshoe will get any good or bad luck. Other traditions require that the horseshoe be found to be effective.

One reputed origin of the tradition of lucky horseshoes is the story of Saint Dunstan and the Devil. Dunstan, who would become the Archbishop of Canterbury in AD 959, was a blacksmith by trade. The story relates that he once nailed a horseshoe to the Devil's hoof when he was asked to reshoe the Devil's horse. This caused the Devil great pain, and Dunstan only agreed to remove the shoe and release the Devil after the Devil promised never to enter a place where a horseshoe is hung over the door.

Another theory concerning the placing of horseshoes above doorways is to ward off Faeries; the theory being that supernatural beings are repelled by iron and as horseshoes were an easily available source of iron, they could be nailed above a door to prevent any unwanted, otherworldly guests.

Meteoric Iron in Tibet

Thogcha means 'sky-iron' in Tibetan. Meteoric iron was highly prized throughout the Himalayas where it was included in sophisticated polymetallic alloys for ritual implements such as the singing bowl (Jansen, 1992) and phurba (Müller-Ebeling, et al., 2002).

Blood and ochre

In many indigenous Australian Aboriginal peoples' traditions ochre and blood, both high in iron content and considered Maban, are applied to the bodies of dancers for ritual. As Lawlor (1991: p. 102-103) states:

In many Aboriginal rituals and ceremonies, red ochre is rubbed all over the naked bodies of the dancers. In secret, sacred male ceremonies, blood extracted from the veins of the participant's arms is exchanged and rubbed on their bodies. Red ochre is used in similar ways in less secret ceremonies. Blood is also used to fasten the feathers of birds onto people's bodies. Bird feathers contain a protein that is highly magnetically sensitive.

Lawlor comments that blood employed in this fashion is held by these peoples to attune the dancers to the invisible energetic realm of the Dreamtime. Lawlor then draws information from different disciplines charting a relationship between these invisible energetic realms and magnetic fields. Iron and magnetism having a marked relationship.

Songlines, magnetic fields and wayfinding

Lawlor (1991: p. 105) quotes the biophysicists F. A. Brown and F. H. Barnwell who have conducted research on the biological effects of the Earth's magnetic field (and particularly how it relates with directionality and wayfinding):

There remains no reasonable doubt that living systems are extraordinarily sensitive to magnetic fields. By extremely simple experiments it is shown that highly diverse plants and animals may have their orientation modified by artificial fields of the order of strength of the geo-magnetic field...The nature of the response properties suggest that the organism is normally integrated with its geo-magnetic environment to a striking degree.

Lawlor then builds on this with citing research conducted on homing pigeons which has pinpointed a tiny crystal in their brain. This crystal which is supersensitive to the earth's magnetic fields or geomagnetic currents, works in tandem with the birds other wayfinding propensities. As Mathrani (2002) states:

Many animals have the ability to sense the geomagnetic field and utilize it as a source of directional (compass) information. Studies have shown that salamanders and frogs use magnetic fields for orientation when they have to find a way to escape from danger, such as from predators. Other animals that have been known to migrate via the detection of the Earth's magnetic field include sparrows, pigeons, bobolinks, yellow fin tuna fish, honeybees, and bacteria. Magnetite has been found in the tissues of all these organisms.

Crystals of magnetite have been found in some bacteria (e.g., Magnetospirillum magnetotacticum) and in the brains of bees, of termites, of some birds (e.g., the pigeon), and of humans. These crystals are thought to be involved in magnetoreception, the ability to sense the polarity or the inclination of the earth's magnetic field, and to be involved in navigation. Also, chitons have teeth made of magnetite on their radula making them unique among animals. This means they have an exceptionally abrasive tongue with which to scrape food from rocks.

The study of biomagnetism began with the discoveries of Caltech paleoecologist Heinz Lowenstam in the 1960s.

References

  1. ' Northern Mythology: Comprising the Principal Popular Traditions and Superstitions of Scandinavia, North Germany, and the Netherlands By Benjamin Thorpe, Compiled by Benjamin Thorpe,Published by E. Lumley, 1851
  2. Quotation cited from p.91 of: Beasley, Victor (1978). Your Electro-Vibratory Body. Boulder Creek, Ca.: University of the Trees.

Futher Reading

  • Briggs, Robin. Witches & Neighbours: The Social and Cultural Context of European Witchcraft. Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk: HarperCollins Publishers. 1996. ISBN 0002158442.
  • Elworthy, Frederick Thomas. The Evil Eye: An Account of This Ancient and Widespread Superstition. New York: Bell Publishing Company. 1989. ISBN 0517679442. Reprint of the 1895 original.
  • Guiley, Rosemary Ellen. The Encyclopedia of Witches and Witchcraft. New York: Facts On File, 1989. ISBN 978-0-8160-2268-7.
  • Lawrence, Robert Means, M.D. The Magic of the Horseshoe with Other Folk-Lore Notes. Boston and New York: Houghton, Mifflin, and Company, 1898.

See also

Categories: