A set of house keys with many key fobs, a key with a tag that opens the door in the office, a large key for a safe. Each of us has similar things. We casually throw them on the nightstand when we return home, look for them at the bottom of our bag while standing in front of the door, forget them, but never think about the meaning of all these actions, and especially about the meaning of the keys as such.
But the symbol of the key has been found in different cultures since ancient times. In the beliefs of ancient peoples, the key had several meanings. Depicted in the hands of a priest, the key was considered a symbol of wisdom, access to unknown secrets.
Gods were also depicted with keys. In their hands it symbolized power. In the Middle Ages, the key was considered a symbol of not only power, but also security. Conquered cities presented the new ruler with a key as a sign of recognition and admiration.
Keys in heraldry
To understand what the sign of fallen keys may mean, you need to look at the meaning of this object in European heraldry. Heraldry is the science of coats of arms, reflecting many secret and symbolic ideas about objects familiar to us.
In heraldry, the key is one of the most common symbols. The location of the keys on the crosses - both Latin (Catholic) and Greek (Orthodox), and sometimes on St. Andrew's, refers us to the Christian symbolism already mentioned above, and also suggests that true faith is the key to bliss and an eternal afterlife . Such a diverse interpretation makes this symbol truly universal, and therefore the signs associated with it can also have many meanings. If you are a believer and accidentally dropped your keys in front of the door, this may be a sign of an imminent loss of faith associated with the fear of excommunication from the Divine throne and the impossibility of entering Heaven.
Since the 14th century, crossed keys, gold and silver, have been part of the official coat of arms of the Holy See (now Vatican City). Absolutely all popes, without exception, included keys in their coats of arms, from the first documented holder of this title, Pope Innocent III, who first sat in the See of St. Peter in 1198, to Antipope Benedict XIII, who ascended in 1397, from a conservative and aggressive pope Julius II of the Renaissance, to the current peace-loving and liberal Pope Francis. Many dignitaries and church orders were inspired by the example of popes.
The symbol of the key, when considered in a little more detail, has many aspects: it refers both to the authority of the administration of the atonement, and to the knowledge of the secret Christian doctrine and the power of binding and liberation. From a heraldic point of view, the golden key defines power that extends to the heavenly realm, while the silver defines spiritual power on earth. In civil heraldry, keys are always interpreted as a symbol of strength, and we can find them on the coats of arms of castle owners, as well as captains or governors, honorary commanders of ancient fortresses. But on the other hand, keys are also a symbol of obedience and submission when they are associated with the tradition of offering the key to the city, which we can become familiar with by looking, for example, at one of Diego Velazquez’s famous paintings called “The Surrender of Breda.”
In this painting from 1635 we see how the humble Dutch commander gave the keys to the city to the victorious and charming Genoese Ambrosio Spinola, firmly in the vanguard of the Spanish army.
Today, keys are more often found on the emblems of companies, shops and hobby groups than on coats of arms or paintings. But even now, drawn on digital screens, surrounded by bright neon lights, chipped into futuristic seals or cast in iron, they still remain a symbol of great virtue and nobility. Therefore, if your keys fell in front of the door, the sign behind this seemingly insignificant event may foreshadow the imminent surrender of all life values and positions.
Find the key
Since this object symbolizes change, finding other people’s keys is a sign of qualitative changes in various areas of life. But it would still be a good idea to pay attention to other factors:
- Old key. Twisted and broken ones are used for magical rituals. For example, spoilage is often “poured” onto such an item and then thrown out onto the street. The person who picks it up risks taking on all the failures and troubles. And it makes no difference whether the key is for an apartment or a car. Even if it was not involved in any dark deeds, the old age of the object causes the accumulation of alien energy;
- New key . Finding a shiny and clean metal key promises fulfillment of desires, as well as positive changes in personal relationships;
- Rusty key . Also a good omen. Most likely, the person will receive monetary profit. This could be a salary increase, or an unexpected inheritance. Moreover, the larger the key, the greater the financial benefit. Experts in the field of magic recommend hiding it in a box and under no circumstances sharing such luck with loved ones;
- Bunch . It is symbolic, but the greater the number of keys in the bunch, the larger areas of life will be affected by pleasant changes;
- Mine . If something that has long been lost and forgotten is suddenly found, then this is a good sign. As for the keys, the interpretation lies in the finder’s way out of dead-end life situations.
The significance of the find also depends on the location:
- At the crossroads . The place where two or more roads converge is considered an anomalous zone by magicians. Many people have probably heard more than once that for various rituals it is necessary to do something at the crossroads. Therefore, if you find the key there, it is better not to take it or even touch it. You never know for what purpose they put it there;
- In a pond . Also not the best place in terms of superstitions. Another technique of fortune tellers and sorcerers is to seal the misfortunes of the client who turns to him in the castle. And the key to it is thrown into a lake, pond or river. If you touch such an iconic object, you can get into trouble.
Keys to all doors
All door keys, or “skeleton keys,” are keys that can open multiple locks. The English name skeleton key was assigned to them due to the belief that they were created from various fragments of keys lost by someone. That is why the English of the Renaissance believed that dropping keys was a bad omen.
However, now “skeleton keys” are used as amulets and talismans all over the world. Nowadays they exist to help the owner realize all his most secret and important dreams.
What does it mean: interpretation of belief
If they fall from your hands
A key slipping out of your hands is a clue to a problem that can be prevented . The purpose of the object and the location of its fall will help determine the event.
The keys to the house ended up on the floor, having slipped off the table - to a quarrel with the household.
Helps prevent conflict:
- attention to loved ones;
- interest in the affairs of relatives;
- help offer.
Lose
Most signs about the loss of keys are interpreted negatively. But there are also those who promise joy and positivity.
Positive meanings of signs:
- A new item takes the place of the old lost key. The loss promises a quick move to a house or apartment.
- For newlyweds, losing the key to their parents' home predicts success and happiness in marriage.
- The sign promises the girl the beginning of a new life. She will meet her soul mate or find a person with a soul mate.
- It is considered a good omen if the key is lost before taking an exam or test. The rating will be positive.
- An interview or business meeting will be successful: the result will be a long-awaited contract, a place in the company or unexpected income. Such a loss promises a positive effect.
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Negative interpretation of signs:
- Lost keys before a long journey indicate troubles on the trip and unnecessary expenses.
- If something goes missing while moving to a new home, it means that nothing good should be expected there.
- The frequency of losing keys is also important - the first time or regularly over a short period of time.
The loss of an item may indicate an attempted home robbery or car theft.
Drop in front of the door
Keys that fall out of your hands do not promise anything positive to the owner.:
- The incident happened in front of the door to the apartment - trouble awaits you at home.
- At the exit - events will occur at the destination.
- A loud sound when falling means the news will be worse.
The sign foreshadows a possible problem with the owner of the item or loved ones : failure in business, conflict with relatives or a possible breakdown in relationships.
Forget at the door at night
A lock on the door to the house protects it from people with bad intentions. The sign promises damage. A person who leaves a key in a lock risks not only material wealth, but also spiritual values and soul.
From a mystical point of view, a master key sticking out in the lock even from the inside opens the way for negative entities .
Discover on the road
The discovery of a key along the way is interpreted according to the nature of the find and the territory of its location:
- The crossroads are often used to charge linings with negative energy or to induce damage and the evil eye. It is not recommended to pick up items seen in this place.
- Finding the keys on a small, level street means improving the undeveloped side of life. This could be finding a soulmate, gaining financial success or physical health.
Practitioners advise not to select keys because the type of interaction with them is unknown.
Detect bundle
It was considered great luck to discover a bunch of someone else's keys. Such amulets were used in Rus' for many centuries; they were cleared of possible negativity and placed above the door.
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The sign is interpreted depending on the number of keys in the bunch:
- An odd number of objects promises good luck and a dream come true. To do this, just put the keys under your pillow at night and make a wish.
- An even number of objects promises quarrels, separations and losses that should not have happened.
- Finding a bunch of two large and one small key means adding to the family.
- Lucky people find a bunch of three master keys. She becomes a talisman that attracts money, health and happiness. It is believed that all doors will open to a person.
The breakage of one item from a bundle is a signal of deception or robbery.
Broke down in the castle
There are many signs and superstitions associated with keys and locks. Breakdown is considered a sign of fate. The following signs are popular :
- The “beard” is broken - it is necessary to leave worries about the past event. Relevant when the door is closed from the inside.
- A broken key neck for a young couple means moving.
- If an item breaks during a change of home, the new home will not bring happiness.
- Breaking a key promises lonely women and men a quick meeting of their second half. The symbol of the past breaks and locks it securely.
- The key that is damaged during a turbulent period is a warning about the onset of a situation associated with the risk of losses and the need to think about actions.
- The attribute breaks before a significant event - success lies ahead, but the debris must be thrown away.
Keys break even without signs, due to factory defects in the lock.
The key as a symbol of well-being
Among Jewish midwives there once existed a strange but interesting tradition: a woman giving birth, shuddering in paroxysms of prenatal pain, was given a key to hold. Before this, it was specially consecrated in the synagogue and was intended to “free” the baby from the shackles of the mother’s womb and ensure his safe entry into our world. In Eastern Europe, there was a belief that the key attracted good thoughts to its owner, and therefore it was believed that it could prevent all bad dreams. For this purpose, keys were hung above the door of the house, like Indian dream catchers. In those days, it was believed that fallen keys were a sign promising depression and an unwanted flow of anxious thoughts coming “from the Evil One.”
Dropping your keys is a bad omen
Dropping your car keys is as bad an omen as dropping your house keys when closing or opening the front door. Representatives of older generations advise in such cases to linger for a while, set aside a couple of minutes for prayer and drink a glass of water. How much this helps is up to you to judge. We can only say with confidence that this sign exists not only in the post-Soviet space, but is also known in the West.
Other signs
- Do not place keys on tables or other public spaces. It is believed that failure to comply with this rule provokes quarrels and failures. It’s better to choose a hidden place in your bag or on a nail in the hallway;
- If the key is broken, then this speaks of evil intrigues, envy and the desire to profit at the expense of others;
- Only the owner (male) of the house is allowed to lock the doors at night. If a woman does this, then the couple will face serious discord and even divorce;
- Keys are powerful amulets. Therefore, a decorative amulet can be worn around the neck. It attracts financial well-being, love and health;
- To protect against thieves, use unnecessary keys tied with red ribbon. With such a talisman you need to walk around the house, ringing loudly, and then hang it near the door;
- A decorative key at the head of the bed eliminates nightmares, as well as phobias associated with the dark;
- Under the mattress - will solve problems with sexual impotence;
- Under the pillow for children is protection from evil spirits.
A lot of interesting information is passed on from generation to generation. Signs, superstitions, magical meanings - all this is interesting and fascinating. However, if you happen to lose the key, it is still better to change the locks. Unless, of course, we are talking about a wrench.
Results
Summing up what has been written, we can state that dropping the keys is not the best omen, which is confirmed by human experience over the last thousand years, collected in folklore and popular beliefs. Dropped keys, depending on the context, can mean:
- loss of power, authority, status and position;
- loss of faith;
- defeat on the love front;
- loss of connection with your own home.
But do not be discouraged, because signs are only an object of faith, and modern science does not yet have any data in favor of their veracity. Therefore, the choice of what exactly to believe, as always, remains yours.
Throwing the Keys
Keys should never be thrown away. This especially applies to carelessly throwing keys on the table. It's no secret that many people are accustomed to noisily and without looking at throwing their keys on the bedside table in the hallway. However, there is a folk superstition that says that keys must be placed quietly and carefully, otherwise a quarrel may occur. By the way, the sharp edges of metal keys, when constantly thrown, either deteriorate themselves or scratch your table. So there is some rational grain in this popular belief. Also, according to popular belief, a quarrel is foreshadowed by the tapping of keys.