Meaning of the Equestrian Statue

The Significance of the hoof :

Many urban legends suggest that the equestrian statue shows outcome of their rider using the statues hooves. Are these theories correct?

The Legend States:

- If two front legs are raised, the rider died in battle

-That if one hoof is raised, the rider obtained wounds in battle and lived, or died from them

-And if all legs are planted the rider died of unrelated causes

Examples that follow the code:

• General Ulysses S. Grant
• General John A. Logan
• General Winfeild Scott Hancock
• General John A. Logan
• And many more...

General Ulysses S. Grant

His Statue shows all four legs on the ground, this confirms the code, being as he died a peaceful death that was unrelated to a battle.

General John A. Logan

The statue of General John confirms the code as he was twice injured in battle, however he did not die due to these injuries sustained.

General Winfield Scott Hancock

This statue confirms the general code of equestrian statues as his horse has one leg raised implying that he was injured in battle, as he was.

Statues Not Following the Code:

• General Andrew Jackson
• General Philip H. Sheridan
• General John Sedgwick
• And many more...

General Andrew Jackson

General Andrew Jackson's statue is an example of one that doesn't follow the code. This is because the horse has two hooves raised implying that he was injured in battle but in reality he died a peaceful death, and was not injured.

Conclusion:

Although many statues confirm the code, others don't. So we have to draw the conclusion that there is no specific code, being as there is no specific pattern.

My Reaction:

I think it's really cool that sculptors had, and have such a creative and artistic eye, that they can address and identify through their masterpieces. The result of an event that the rider in the statue confronted.

I found it fun and interesting to research this claim and see how we can identify patterns, like this, with our brains.

Works Cited

• http://www.snopes.com/military/statue.asp
• http://history.stackexchange.com/questions/1087/does-the-number-of-legs-in-...
• http://chicago-outdoor-sculptures.blogspot.com/2011/07/hoof-code-of-equestr...