There’s something about stepping into an old building that always gives me a little thrill—not just for the history itself, but for the traces of the people who lived there. The small, personal things they left behind. Their beliefs, their fears, their quiet rituals of protection.
As someone who researches the evolution of spiritual beliefs, I love hunting for signs of traditional folk practices—those subtle marks and symbols that often go unnoticed. So when I recently visited the 1620s House & Garden in Leicestershire, I wasn’t just there to admire the timber-framed walls and beautifully reconstructed interiors. I was searching for something more.
And I found it.
Etched into the wooden beams, around the fireplaces, and even in darkened burn marks were witch marks—centuries-old protective symbols, scratched into the house by people who genuinely feared unseen forces. Seeing them in person was both exciting and eerie, a direct link to the superstitions of the past.
But what exactly were these marks protecting against? And why did people feel they were needed?
What Are Witch Marks?
If you’ve ever noticed strange scratches in an old building, there’s a chance they weren’t just random wear and tear—they might have been witch marks.
Also known as apotropaic marks (from the Greek apotrépein, meaning “to turn away”), these protective symbols were carved into homes, barns, churches, and even caves to ward off evil spirits, witches, and misfortune.
People placed them near doors, windows, fireplaces, and chimneys—anywhere that supernatural threats might try to slip in. They weren’t necessarily protecting against a physical witch walking through the front door, but rather the influence of witchcraft itself: curses, ill fortune, and unseen spirits.
What fascinates me is that these symbols weren’t just scattered superstitions—they were part of a shared, deeply ingrained belief system. Even people who might not have spoken openly about witches often still carved these marks. After all, why take the risk?
Finding Witch Marks at the 1620s House & Garden
The 1620s House & Garden is a rare surviving example of a yeoman’s house—essentially, a well-off farmer’s home from the early modern period. Unlike grand castles or polished stately homes, places like this were lived in by ordinary families. And in the 17th century, those families lived in a world full of fear about witches.
As I wandered through the rooms, I kept my eyes peeled, and sure enough, there they were—witch marks scratched into the wood near fireplaces and doorways. These weren’t decorative, and they weren’t accidents. They were deliberate. A quiet, protective act that spoke of the very real fears of the people who had lived there.
One of the most interesting things I spotted were burn marks on the beams on the bedroom doors. At first, they just look like scorch marks from a careless candle, but they aren’t—they are intentional. People believed that fire itself had protective power, so they would burn the wood with a taper or candle to create a lasting ward against evil.
These weren’t the grand, theatrical rituals of cunning folk or ceremonial magicians. They were simple, everyday acts of magic, woven into the fabric of daily life.
Why Were Witch Marks Needed?
The early 1600s were a terrifying time to be accused of witchcraft. England was still gripped by the aftermath of the infamous 1612 Pendle Witch Trials, and Leicestershire had its own share of hysteria.
In 1616, nine women were executed for witchcraft in Leicester, accused by a young boy who claimed they had bewitched him. Cases like these weren’t just isolated events—they were part of a wider culture of fear.
For the people who lived in the 1620s House, witch marks weren’t just tradition. They were a form of protection, their version of locking the door at night or hanging a horseshoe above the threshold.
Common Witch Marks and Their Meanings
I recognised several of the marks carved into the beams, including some of the most common types found across the UK:
1. The ‘Marian’ Mark (VV or AM)
One of the most frequently found symbols is the double ‘VV’, standing for Virgo Virginum (“Virgin of Virgins”), invoking the protection of the Virgin Mary. Sometimes, ‘AM’ (Ave Maria) was carved as well. It’s a reminder of how Christian faith blended with older, more folk-based protective traditions.
2. Daisy Wheels (Hexafoils)
These circular, flower-like designs—also called hexfoils—were made in one continuous motion, with the belief that they could trap evil spirits in an endless loop. It’s the kind of protective logic that crops up in folklore again and again: if you keep a spirit busy, it can’t harm you.
3. Taper Burn Marks
The burn marks on the beams near the fireplaces were some of the most striking finds in the 1620s House. People believed that fire had protective qualities, and by deliberately scorching the wood, they were creating a barrier against supernatural forces.
4. Pentagrams and Geometric Symbols
Despite their modern associations with witchcraft, pentagrams were once protective symbols. Alongside other geometric patterns, they were believed to confuse or block spirits from passing through.
Why Witch Marks Still Matter Today
What struck me most about seeing these marks in person was just how human they felt.
They aren’t grand monuments or dramatic statements—they’re small, personal acts of protection, left behind by people just trying to keep their homes and families safe.
It’s easy to dismiss these beliefs as superstition, but when you think about it, they’re not so different from the things we do today. We still hang lucky charms, cross our fingers, or make a wish on a falling star. Whether or not we truly believe in them, there’s something comforting in the ritual.
And that’s what these marks were. A ritual. A little piece of everyday magic, etched into the walls, in the hope that it might just keep the bad things away.
For me, moments like this—standing in a centuries-old house, running my fingers over a mark carved by someone long gone—are what make history feel alive. It’s not just about kings and battles and dates. It’s about people. Their fears, their beliefs, and the traces of their lives that they unknowingly left behind for us to find.
Have You Ever Seen Witch Marks?
Next time you visit an old house, church, or barn, take a closer look at the fireplaces, doorways, and beams—you might just spot one of these hidden symbols yourself.
And if you have, I’d love to hear about it! Let me know in the comments or share a photo—I can never resist a good bit of folk magic in the wild.
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