Iron
Iron has long been regarded as a powerful tool for protection against malevolent forces in various cultures and traditions. Its reputation as a safeguard against evil entities spans across demons, vampires, witches, evil spirits, and even fairies. Iron is believed to hold intrinsic properties that repel supernatural beings, making it a crucial element in spiritual defense and protective practices.
One of the most notable uses of iron is its ability to deter the Djinn—powerful and often unpredictable spirits in Middle Eastern folklore—as well as Lilith, a figure often associated with danger to mothers and infants, and other childbirth demons. It is said that iron also protects against the children of such demons, ensuring safety for both the mother and the newborn during vulnerable times. Small iron objects, such as scissors or pins, are commonly placed near or under beds as talismans to ward off demonic entities and prevent nocturnal attacks.
In funerary customs, iron serves as a barrier to restless spirits. The placement of iron objects in coffins or gravesites is believed to restrain vampires and other revenants, preventing them from rising from their resting places to harm the living. Driving iron nails into coffins and graves further ensures that the dead remain confined, protecting the community from potential supernatural threats.
Iron’s protective qualities also extend to its use in everyday life. It has been traditionally used to safeguard homes and sacred spaces, with iron horseshoes, nails, or rods often placed above doorways or buried at thresholds to create a barrier against evil influences. In folklore, fairies—though often seen as whimsical beings—are considered wary of iron, and the metal is thought to disrupt their magical abilities, keeping them at bay.
Throughout history, iron has been associated with strength, resilience, and grounding, qualities that align with its role in warding off the ethereal and malevolent. Its enduring presence in rituals, charms, and defenses underscores humanity’s deep-seated belief in its power to protect against the unseen forces that lurk in the shadows.
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SOURCE:
The Encyclopedia of Demons and Demonology – Written by Rosemary Ellen Guiley – Copyright © 2009 by Visionary Living, Inc.