Daisy Wheels and other Hexfoils

30/05/2020

Can anyone help Nick identify this symbol?
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10223491081609005&id=1347615283

04/11/2019

How to trap a witch in a bottle!

The charms were designed to ward off witches, but new research suggests they had medical uses as well

23/09/2019

Amazing Norman doorway at All Saints Church, Kedleston Hall. And lovely little sundial set into east wall. Sadly, couldn't get inside.

16/09/2019

Couldn't get into St Luke's, Hickling, but there was plenty to see in the porch and on the beautiful old door.

22/06/2019

Found some nice graffiti in both porches of St Guthlac's, Stathern, Leics

20/04/2019

Some nice carving in the porch of the beautiful St Winwalloe's church (13th century origins) in the dunes, right by the beach, on the Lizard peninsula, Cornwall.

20/04/2019

Trip to Creswell Crags this week. Finally got to see the cave FULL of witch marks, discovered last autumn. The largest collection of apotropaic marks discovered in UK. So exciting!
https://www.creswell-crags.org.uk/2019/02/15/largest-discovery-of-witch-marks-in-britain-at-creswell-crags/

11/10/2018

This looks good!

Religious, political and intellectual reform were the catalyst for extreme superstition throughout England in the 16th and 17th centuries.

Apotropaic marks, such as the one shown below, were created within Haddon Hall as a result of this superstition, as a ritual protection against evil spirits or acts.

These 'Witch's Marks' are the focus of our unique Halloween Evening Tours, taking place on select dates throughout October: http://ow.ly/E09m30lXYSb

07/10/2018

Can't wait for this HE report to come out

Public asked to share their knowledge and search for more ritual protection symbols or apotropaic marks

07/10/2018

Beautiful day for a visit to the ruined church of St Mary, Colston Bassett. Very happy to spot a VV mark on a doorway! The overlapping v's stand for "Virgin of Virgins" - asking for protection from the Virgin Mary.

28/09/2018

https://broadly.vice.com/en_us/article/bmwewz/ritual-graffiti-witch-marks-and-the-medieval-churches-who-cast-curses

Etched in the ancient walls and pews of Medieval churches are spells, talismans, and curses. They were created by both the parishioners and, more surprisingly, their church.

28/09/2018

I'm absolutely fascinated by ancient daisy wheels and other hexfoils/witch marks, as found in churches, barns and other old buildings - believed to ward off or trap evil spirits. I love these visual links to the everyday superstitions of hundreds of years ago. These are from my local church in Langar, Nottinghamshire.

I'd love to see photos of hexfoils you've found and to learn more about these intriguing marks. I have no background knowledge but perhaps we can learn something by sharing on this page.

Looking forward to seeing your pictures!

Tamsin