Witches’ Marks

Otherwise known as ‘ritual protection symbols or apotropaic marks’ can be found can be found in medieval structures, dating from around 1550 to 1750 including private houses, barns, caves and churches.

On 31 October (Halloween), Historic England launched a public appeal for information and photos about ‘witches’ marks’. They are asking the public to share photographs and information of where they are, to help create a record of England’s apotropaic marks. 

The marks date back to times when belief in witchcraft and the supernatural was widespread. Magical symbols and ritual objects were a common part of life from around the 16th to the early 19th century. The aim of the exercise is to see if there are any regional concentrations and learn more about their use.

The most common type of apotropaic mark is the daisy wheel, or hexafoil, which at its simplest is a six petal “flower” drawn with a pair of compasses. Daisy wheels comprise a single, endless line which supposedly confused and entrapped evil spirits.

Pentangles, which are five-pointed stars, were often used as ritual symbols and the letters AM for Ave Maria, simply M for Mary or VV for Virgin of Virgins are also a common type of apotropaic mark. These letters, scratched into the fabric of medieval walls, engraved onto wooden beams and etched onto plasterwork were thought to beseech the supreme protective power of the Virgin Mary.

So if there is one of these marks in your church, take a photograph and send it into Historic England.