![]() "Behind the Devil's Shield: Ritual Protection Marks on the Vernacular Architecture of Colonial New England" Salem State University, School of Graduate Studies, 2020Įaston, Timothy and Hodgkinson, Jeremy "Apotropaic Symbols on Cast-Iron Firebacks" Journal of Antique Metalware Society, Vol. As with the protective symbols, several examples of ritually concealed objects have been found at Minute Man during the restoration of many of the park's historic houses.Ĭonary, Alyssa G.A. Iron was also sometimes used, in the form of horseshoes or old knifes or axe heads. Thus, the witch or demon would mistake the essence for their intended victim and become trapped. The belief was that a personal item like an old shoe had absorbed the "essence" of the former wearer. in the walls of the home, again, near doors, windows and fireplaces. In the words of Cotton Mather, the practice was like using a "Devil's Shield against a Devil's Sword."Īnother common way to protect the home from evil spirits was to conceal personal items, shoes in particular. That said, the use of protective magic was not condoned by the clergy. To them it was not superstition but an essential matter of their Puritan faith. In their world view the devil was REAL, and he caused harm through his human agents, witches, who were likewise REAL. Today we might dismiss such beliefs and practices as “superstition.” However, early New Englanders did not consider themselves superstitious at all. ![]() This form of ritual protection was a cultural hold-over from Medieval England where they have been documented in churches as well as vernacular buildings and private homes. Emerson Baker of Salem State University and other noted scholars, this practice was very common in colonial New England and persisted even into the early 20th century! The symbols were placed at vulnerable areas of the home, such as fireplaces, doors and windows, where evil spirits might enter. What could they be?Īs strange as it may sound, these symbols were deliberately created by earlier occupants of the house to protect themselves from evil spirits: witches and demons. Others are not so easy to explain: conjoined circles, circlies with a dot in the middle, hashmarks or grids with diagonal lines cutting across them. On top of the paper, tip a cup of salt and add dried sprigs of rosemary, dill, and some dried bay leaves. Some markings are quite mundane, like Roman numerals carved into framing elements by the carpenters who built the house. Step 1: To do this, write ‘PROTECTION’ onto a piece of paper and place it into a cauldron or other fireproof bowl. In many of the historic houses at Minute Man National Historical Park, some dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries, there are strange symbols scratched into the woodwork. The Helm of Awe is a symbol originating from Norse mythology, believed to offer powerful protection against evil spirits and forces. Conjoined circles in a back staircase door at Hartwell Tavern ![]()
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