Adder stone

What it is

An adder stone is a rock featuring a naturally formed hole. These stones are typically made of flint or glassy material. Archaeologists have found them in Britain, Egypt, and Northern Germany. People across Europe treated these objects as magical charms. They were believed to hold power against harm and misfortune. The name comes from old stories linking the stones to snakes. Other names include hag stones and fairy stones. The hole is the key feature, allowing the stone to be hung or worn.

Where it comes from

Ancient Romans like Pliny recorded beliefs about these stones. Druids supposedly valued them highly. One myth says snakes create them by massing together. Their saliva hardens into stone. Another idea is that snakes spit them out. In Russia, people called them chicken gods. They thought spirits lived inside the rocks. Welsh tales link them to druidic magic. Some stories say snakes form them in spring. The holes themselves are just natural formations. Water or other forces likely carved them over time.

How it is done

People hung these stones using a string or ribbon. A common use was placing them over a bed. This practice aimed to stop nightmares. It was done for both humans and horses. Some users added spoken words or written charms. Red ribbons were often used for the string. In Wales, stones might be given to heroes in stories. In Russia, farmers placed them in farmyards. This was meant to protect chickens from evil spirits. Keeping them on a windowsill was also common for luck.

Tools and materials

The primary tool is the stone itself. Flint and glass are the most common materials. A string or red ribbon is needed to hang it. Written verses or charms sometimes accompanied the stone. In some cases, gold settings were mentioned in ancient texts. However, the natural hole is the essential part. Human-made holes do not count as true adder stones. The red color of the ribbon is noted in later records.

What it is for

The main goal was protection. People used them to ward off nightmares. They were also used to protect livestock. Farmers believed they stopped evil spirits from harming chickens. Some saw them as general luck charms. Keeping one on a sill brought good fortune. Ancient texts claimed they helped in legal disputes. Others said they ensured favor with rulers. A local legend suggests they can break a town curse.

Who does it

Households were the main users. Ordinary people kept them in their homes. Farmers placed them in barns or yards. Scholars and writers recorded these practices. Reginald Scot wrote about their use in the 1500s. Edward Lovett documented them in the 1900s. Modern collectors still seek them out. They are not tied to a specific religious order. Any person could acquire and use one.

Peoples and places

British folklore features them heavily. Wales calls them Glain Neidr. Cornwall has its own name for them. Scotland uses terms like adderstanes. Germany refers to them as Hühnergötter. Russia associates them with chicken spirits. The Druids of ancient Gaul valued them. Pliny described their rituals. Welsh mythology includes them in Arthurian tales. Different regions had slightly different names and uses.

What people believe

Old beliefs held that snakes created these stones. Snakes were thought to mass together in summer. Their saliva or foam hardened into rock. The hole was caused by their tongues or stings. Spirits were believed to live inside the rocks. In Russia, these spirits guarded chickens. Evil spirits like Kikimora were kept away. The stones were seen as active agents of protection. They had to be caught before touching the ground in some myths.

When it is done

No specific festival days are required. They were used daily in households. Hanging them over beds was a routine act. In Wales, May Eve was considered auspicious. Spring was another time linked to their creation. There were no strict seasonal rules for use. They were available whenever found on beaches or fields.

How scholars and sceptics see it

Pliny the Elder wrote about Druid rituals. He described how they tried to catch the stones. He doubted the claims of snake magic. He noted fraud among those selling them. Folklorists like Reginald Scot recorded household uses. Edward Lovett studied their use in Sussex. Modern researchers note their natural formation. They are distinct from artificially drilled stones. The cultural significance lies in their perceived power.

Compare and confuse

They are similar to toadstones. Both are valued for natural holes. Creirwy is another Welsh magical object. Omarolluk and Pholad borings are geological terms. These describe holes made by animals. Adder stones are defined by folklore, not geology. They differ from amulets with inscriptions. Their power comes from the shape alone.

Questions people ask about Adder stone

Good reading and sources

• Adder stone on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos and video
• Wikidata recordOpen data