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Around the world and for thousands of years the horseshoe has been regarded as one of the most powerful emblems used to ward off misfortune and even the Devil himself, as well as welcome prosperity and protection into one’s home.
Horseshoes were traditionally forged by blacksmiths and this act alone ensured their potency, as blacksmithing was a much-revered trade and mystical one at that, as the blacksmith trafficked with the Devil’s element of fire. Similarly, your horseshoe tattoo is as much a warning as it is an icon of good fortune. The strongest and seemingly luckiest are often forged in fire themselves, their serendipitous fate the product of courage, cleverness, and a little folk faith.
In Anglo Europe the horseshoe’s origins can be traced back to Saint Dunstan and the red-hot horseshoe he nailed to the Devil’s hoof, while in ancient Egypt the horseshoe signified the mystical door of life. In Mexico the horseshoe or El Secreto de la Virtuosa Herradura (“the secret of the virtuous horseshoe”) is a sacred prayer amulet, while in Turkey and Greece it is embraced as surefire protection against the Evil Eye.
In European, Middle Eastern and Spanish Colonial Latin American tradition the horseshoe is situated with the open end down so that good fortune can pour down upon you, while British and North American belief prefers an upward horseshoe so that one’s luck may never tip over or run out.
Regardless of where you hail from or your beliefs are rooted, there will be no mistaking the changes a horseshoe tattoo will bring to your life. Inked on your shoulder for all to behold or placed on your wrist so you may look upon it whenever you need to send up for a little luck, your horseshoe tattoo may just be better than one nailed above the door, as you can be sure you will never be without your lucky sigil.
Horseshoe design idea inspiration:
Popular types: – Plain
– Seat out
– Fullered
– Anti-Brushing
– Calkin
– Wedge Heel
– Rodway
– Martin
– Concave
– Knocked Up
– Feather-edges
– Three Quarter
– Bar
– Round
– Three-Quarter Bar
– Tip (Half)
– Convex
– Toe Turned-up
– Rocker Bar
– High Heeled
A stylized horseshoe frames a peaceful scene with mountains, trees, stars, a crescent moon, and a bird flying overhead. We can practically hear the bird calling as he circles above our camp, while we toast marshmallows so we can make smores before tucking into our sleeping bags.
A realistic horseshoe overlaying geometric equations – perhaps nautical? This horse’s shoe must be designed to keep us moving in the right direction, not straying from our path, and never taking off on the wrong angles. This shoe must belong to our spirit guide who tells us where to go.
Wishing us good luck, this is a bold horseshoe, placed on the upper arm so the shoe will always be upright, safely holding all of our good luck. While it might not spew forth the winning lotto numbers, it’s a good luck talisman that will never get lost.
Evoking Native American designs, this horseshoe looks like it’s embedded with turquoise stones, and it’s colored with complementary red and brown to bring the design to life. It’s a big, bold design, sure to bring the best luck to its owner and to everyone else who is near enough to see it.
A horseshoe on the front of the leg has Native American vibes in bold black ink. On the lower part of the leg, this will be easily seen while wearing shorts or swim wear, so it’s easy to show it off, with a design that’s easy to understand.
Nestled between other tattoos with complementary colors, this adorable horseshoe sneaks in among the plant life with leaves behind it and even a little flower on the shoe itself. With a quick glance, it might even disguise itself as a friendly caterpillar checking out the neighborhood gardens.
With sharp square edges, we suspect this horseshoe might actually be a horseshoe magnet, holding our good luck and sticking to metal so we can retrieve lost utensils from under the stove. The plants and flowers help disguise it, but we know it’s always there when we need to use it.
Looking like a cowboy classic, this evokes ranches, rodeos, the southwest, and tacos. Well, it doesn’t take much to evoke a tasty taco, but this tattoo certainly makes us think of our favorite taqueria. The colors are deep but not wild, and the design is artful and tasty. Um, we mean tasteful. Yeah.
Horseshoes can be heavy and clunky, but this one is decidedly feminine, with delicate scallops on the inside edge, small circles on the outside edge, and rounded ends. The flowers are more delicate than in many designs, offering even more softness to the overall look.
You might believe this horseshoe is real, with reflections glinting off the metal. The textured feathers below add even more to the realistic look. This tattoo should bring real luck to its wearer, and compliments from anyone who sees it and appreciates the art and the skill involved in creating it.
Rather than being the focal point of the design, this horseshoe has become the perfect frame for a large flower, tucked neatly into the horseshoe from behind, with the stem trailing. This tattoo is drawn with simple lines and with just enough delicate shading to give it life.
Such a simple design, but it makes its point with southwest vibes. This tattoo rests on the upper arm, just above the elbow crease, and fits neatly in that space. It’s understated but it still evokes the idea of good luck being safely stored for its wearer.
Bright colors, a bold design, and a stylized horseshoe are just part of the cowboy vibe in this tattoo. The last component is the well-used cowboy boot framed in the center of the horseshoe. You know it’s been worn in a rodeo or while herding cattle on a ranch.
The horseshoe in this design is more of a hint than an obvious metal shoe. The curved U-shape is formed from flowers, leaves, and vines, giving this tattoo a delicate, feminine look. While some might notice the subtle horseshoe shape, others will see a pretty display of flowers.
This horseshoe looks heavy, and maybe a little menacing, softened by the flowers that accent it. At the ends of the horseshoe are dots that look just a little like eyes, with the bottom curve of the shoe forming a mouth. It’s an illusion that not everyone will see.
Sure, it’s a horseshoe, but it’s not the focal point in this flower-dominant tattoo. The bright red flower takes center stage, with orange flowers peeking around as an accent. The leaves are shades of green, and some have orange tips to tie the whole design together.
This harp-shaped horseshoe has accents of red flowers and green leaves. It’s prominently placed on the upper arm, taking up a lot of space and holding on to plenty of luck for the wearer. The design is weighty because of the metal shoe, but lightened by the use of colorful flowers.
Fitting neatly with already existing tattoos, this women’s horseshoe has clean lines and a simple design that incorporates yellow and blue flowers and green leaves as accents, while the shoe itself is colored with orange and yellow to make it stand out.
A horseshoe might not normally be called cute, but this one is. The fat, rounded, metallic-looking shoe is accented red and glittery-looking yellow, making it less imposing and more friendly. The design is completed with a red flower and a glittery yellow flower to match the colors on the horseshoe. It’s just adorable, isn’t it?
When you really need lots of luck, this female horseshoe tattoo will bring it to you, helped by the four-leaf clovers. The whimsical design has a brown, yellow, and red shoe; green and yellow clovers; a red ribbon tied to the shoe, and a sprinkling of yellow stars and shapes to finish it off.
At first look you might not even notice the horseshoe behind the rose, but it’s right there, creating the perfect frame for the flower. Leaves and petals poke out behind the shoe, incorporated perfectly into the overall design that’s well balanced, and with expert shading to give the piece depth.
When you think of horseshoes, you normally think of shoes on horses on cattle ranches in the west. This time, though, the horses are on beach, or perhaps on an island with palm trees, waves, and a setting sun that probably required a pina colada. It’s a unique design that works well.
The heavy black on this horseshoe is lightened by the large and small flowers and light embellishments on the shoe that look bright in comparison. The overall look doesn’t seem weighty, but instead is a bold statement piece that will no doubt bring good luck to its wearer.
This horseshoe tattoo no doubt tells a story that’s person to its wearer. The shoe has the number 13 at the bottom, which is often considered an unlucky number. So, does the number balance out the good luck? We may never know the answer, but we can guess.
This horseshoe placed on the right shoulder blade almost looks silver, thanks to the light use of color and the shading effects. It’s a large shoe, accented with four small flowers, yet it doesn’t look heavy thanks to the skill of the artist. Lettering adds a personal touch.
Bright primary colors make this design pop, that’s for sure. The horseshoe is definitely a shoe, but it also reminds me of a porthole since we’re looking through it at a sailboat on the water at sunset. A pair of thorny roses and a water drop complete the design.
You can tell by looking at this design that it’s got plenty of personal meaning woven into it. There are two horseshoes, a single flower on a large stem with some accent greenery, and scratchy rope tying the pieces together and finishing off with a bow.
We want to ask who Finn is, and whether he needs luck, or maybe he’s giving luck. Was Finn the horse who wore the shoe? Or does Finn mean something else – perhaps a place or a way of saying “finished”? Obviously it’s a personal piece for the wearer.
A large purple flower anchors this horseshoe, flanked by two red-orange flowers and some greenery. Instead of looking like the flowers are accents for the shoe, this time the shoe looks like a red and black wreath that’s built for the flowers. It’s a different take on the classic theme.
This horseshoe has a bit of a hippie design, with elements that would have fit well in the 60’s or 70’s, but also with a bit of a steampunk feel that makes the design timeless and quite interesting. The orange, turquoise, red, and purple make this one stand out.
While most horseshoes are depicted with the ends pointing up, this one is the opposite, framing the head of a horse. Clover, including one with four leaves, along with flowers, decorate the top of the shoe. An open heart-shaped locket on a chain around the horse’s neck dangles below.
With dark black and heavy shading, this horseshoe will be noticed. The shoe is rounded, which lightens the look, while two flowers are accents. A ribbon with the words “good luck” finish the design, so we can guess that luck is being given as well as collected.
Saturated jewel tones of red, blue, purple, and yellow-orange add interest to this horseshoe tattoo. Flowers, vines, and leaves decorate the shoe in a design that’s well balanced and not too heavy despite the use of dark black. If this was in 3D, it would be the perfect wall hanging.
Just two colors – red and black – but this tattoo is still vibrant and lively. A bird in flight, wings spread, is in front of the horseshoe, looking up at the flower that’s just above. We want to ask if the bird has a special meaning to the wearer.
A women’s tattoo with a sense of humor! Not only is the horseshoe poised upside-down, spilling the luck out, but a banner that says “accident prone” tells the rest of the story. This is someone who knows they’re going to have bumps, scrapes, and bruises, and they can laugh about it.
A horseshoe for a nature lover! This girl’s tattoo includes realistic flowers and leaves – with spiky thorns on the stems. It also includes a butterfly that has just landed on the right arm of the shoe, its antennas testing the air and checking out the greenery.
Ahoy, matey! Is this the horseshoe of a sailor? It’s filled with dangerous-looking waves and a sailing ship that’s at a scary angle in those frightening wavy seas. The birds could be seagulls, but why not vultures? Meanwhile, we have to ask: is that flower on the bottom looking at us?
Why are we reminded of a boomerang? No, it’s definitely a horseshoe, but it doesn’t look metallic with its green red and yellow markings. Those saturated colors are echoed in the flowers and leaves that are almost equal in weight with the shoe. It’s a unique and colorful design.
Brilliant red flowers with their leaves and buds form a wreath that sits just under the relatively small horseshoe. The shoe is a realistic rendering with shading that makes it look like old metal. While the shoe is smaller than the surrounding flowers, it’s still the focal point in this creative design.
Who’s that? This horseshoe is the frame for a hat-wearing, wavy-haired, fringe-loving horse rider. Or we assume a rider, because there’s that horseshoe. A yellow flower completes the look. Is this a family member? This tattoo wants to tell its story to whoever sees it.
Horseshoe tattoo meanings and symbolism:
What do Horseshoe themed designs mean and symbolize?: The horseshoe is a wonderful symbol that has been around for centuries and is still used today. It is a symbol of luck, protection, and good fortune. The horseshoe is believed to bring good luck to those who possess it, and it is often hung above doorways or placed in gardens to ward off evil spirits. The horseshoe is also a popular symbol in many cultures and religions, and it has been used in various ways throughout history.
The horseshoe has been used as a symbol of luck since ancient times. In ancient Greece, the horseshoe was believed to bring good luck to those who possessed it. It was also believed to protect against evil spirits and bad luck. In the Middle Ages, the horseshoe was believed to protect against witches and other supernatural forces. In some cultures, the horseshoe was even thought to bring fertility and abundance.
In Christianity, the horseshoe is often seen as a symbol of protection from evil. It is believed that the shape of the horseshoe resembles the shape of the cross, which is a symbol of Jesus’s sacrifice for mankind. In Judaism, the horseshoe is seen as a sign of protection from bad luck and misfortune. In Islam, the horseshoe is seen as a sign of protection from evil spirits and bad luck.
During the Middle Ages, knights would often wear horseshoes on their armor as a sign of protection from harm. In some cultures, the horseshoe was even used as a form of currency. During World War II, American soldiers would often carry a horseshoe with them for good luck.
