Iron

Iron has a long history of being used as a weapon and deterrent against supernatural entities. Often referred to as "cold iron" in Celtic or European folklore, it is believed to repel and harm several different types of entities. This motif appears in ancient rituals, blacksmith lore, and spiritual practices, where iron drains power from spirits or creates uncrossable barriers.

Our team uses iron items to banish or dispel supernatural beings, most specifically Fae creatures.

European Folklore and Myths

In European traditions, iron is a staple tool against the supernatural, with stories relating its use repeated in Celtic, Germanic, and Christian beliefs.

in Celtic and Irish lore, iron repels fairies or the Fae. Lore states that iron burns them or weakens them on contact, even able to slay them permanently or banishing them from the world. Parents placed iron knives in cradles to prevent the fae from abducting or replacing their child with a fae changling. Iron horseshoes were nailed to doors to deter the fae from entering the home.

Scandinavian and Norse myths hold a similar tradition: iron deters trolls, huldrefolk (hidden folk), and alfar (elves)- all different variants of fae creatures. They can not tolerate the touch of iron. These traditions advised the carrying of iron nails or an iron knife to repel these creatures.

The tradition of iron fences around cemeteries began with the belief that the iron contains spirits of the restless undead. Iron bands were used on coffins to prevent vampires or the undead from rising after burial.

Even Christian practice uses iron crosses or chains to bind possessed individuals.

Asian Myths and Religions

Several Asian legends in various Taoist, Buddhist, and folk rituals, use iron items specifically as a tool to protect from malevolent entities.

In recorded Chinese folklore and Taoist legends, iron mirrors and swords are used to drive away demons (yaoguai) and evil spirits. Taoist priests used ritual iron swords to exorcise ghosts or malevolent huli jing.

In Hindu traditions, iron repels djinns, rakshasas (demons), and evil eyes. Black iron bangles or nails are hammered into thresholds to block spirits from crossing the threshold into the home.

Middle Eastern and Abrahamic Religions

Islamic lore also repeats the advice that iron repels djinn and shayatin (devils). The Quran specifically mentions iron as a divine gift, implying its divine bestowal and properties and not simply a resource man discovered by chance. Iron amulets and iron rings were used to protect against possession.

In Kabbalah, iron was mentioned to drain demonic power and is specifically mentioned to repel Lilith (a night demon) and the evil eye.

Even as far back as Ancient Mesopotamian myths, records of incantations are recorded that used iron to ward off demons like Lamashtu, who preyed on children.

African and American Folklore

In African diaspora, specifically Hoodoo and Voodoo, iron horseshoes or nails are used to repel haints (ghosts) and rootwork curses. Iron pots or chains are used to protect against evil spirits or zombies.

There are North American First Nations legends of meteoric iron used for warding off evil winds or skinwalkers (shape-shifters), though because of the European colonialism, much of what was once known by these legends has been lost, or at the least guarded by the survivors of their culture.

Even Folklore from the Andes region of South America speaks of iron tools deterring duendes, another non-human fae creature.