This tradition is strongly linked to Gretna Green. The popular symbol is a good luck charm and dates back to ancient times, with its crescent shape linked to fertility and protection from evil spirits. In Scottish Celtic regions horses were considered powerful and spirit animals and blacksmiths were thought to have magical powers in working with metal. In Scotland fairies were considered to be malevolent creatures, but they feared iron, hence it's felt that if iron was hung at the entrance of a building it keeps the wee folk away (fairies) which tend to cause mischief.
In the Victorian era, the tradition of giving it to the bride became more established, with the belief that it would bring good luck and fortune to the new marriage and provide powerful protection to the marital home. It is often gifted by a female relative e.g. the brides mother or grandmother or a flower girl or page boy. Many are often silver in colour and decorated with ribbons or flowers to make them a special wedding keepsake and often secured and hung above the homes doorway.
From the 1920s it was often traditionally hung with the open end facing upwards like a U to "catch", collect and hold the luck. Acting like a bowl, holding in the good fortune. Prior to this time it was felt that if it was hung this way witches would swing in it and devils would sit in it.
It is sometimes believed if it is hung with the open end facing downwards, the luck is thought to "spill out". But in Scottish tradition hanging it open end down allows good luck to flow out and surround the home or those entering it, but prevents evil from entering.
A pen is essential to sign the log and possibly tweezers. As you pause here enjoy the peacefulness by the river and take a walk along core path 324 to Springfield.