They often appear on or in medieval and later churches, and medieval and later stone and timber-framed halls, manor houses, farmhouses and cottages, as well as public houses, shops, and agricultural buildings, but are much rarer on later and other types of buildings, although there are instances of similar devices being re-created on later buildings, in a copy cat fashion. A lot of study has taken place in recent decades, recording and researching these interesting protective devices.

Their practice, use and meaning, in our less superstitious times has waned, so like the Green Man, their interpretation and meanings, are fraught with difficulty and much debate.

The practice of protecting a home is ancient, and many examples of apotropaic devices may be found throughout history, and across the world, and its many cultures. They have been created by craftsman, such as stonemasons and carpenters, or cunning men or women, as well as the householders themselves. There are a whole host of forms these protection devices take, from carvings in stone and wood, to magical symbols carved or scratched onto stone and timber, as well on other building materials, to objects left within the fabric of buildings, and even burn marks made by candles upon timber-framed buildings. They are also known as ‘ritual protection marks’ or ‘witch marks’ as they warded off evil from magic or curses wrought by witches, from witches themselves, or from any form of demonic attack, and often were created via some form of ritual, whether as a process, an offering in the form of a spiritual midden, or burial, or part of a physical act accompanied by prayer, a spell, hex or curse. They are known under the term of ‘apotropaic’ which means something which has the power ‘to turn away’ evil. These devices, objects, symbols, graffiti or marks were thought to protect buildings and their occupants from evil entities, such as the Devil, demons, witches, fairies, etc. In recent decades, especially in the last twenty years, protective devices and marks against forces of evil are being recorded and investigated across the country. Protective Devices, Apotropaic Symbols and Witch Marks on Historic Buildings with examples from Cheshire, Shropshire and Staffordshire

Tiny witch symbol