When we see statues of military heroes of horseback, the position of the horse's feet often tell a story. What is signified if the horse's two front feet are rearing up in the air?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: DorianGreyed,

Nothing. The story of the number of upraised feet indicating manner/place of death or wounds in battle of the rider is a false one. While some posters will write in giving examples of statues that seem to verify the story, there are many stautes that give evidence in the opposite direction. I've seen George Washington on a steed with both fron legs upraised; Washington died in bed. This story is often coupled with the "explanation' of the origin of the 21 gun salute. In this story, the number 21 comes from adding the digits of the year 1776. This is a nice story, except it doesn't explain European countries using a 21 gun salute PRIOR to 1776. The best explanation that I have read for the 21 gun salute is that a ships firing that many shots usually indicated that the ship's guns had fired all its readily available ammunition, and was rendered harmless until a very visible re-loading could take place, thus demonstrating peaceful intentions. This is essentially similar to showing that one has no weapons by displaying an empty hand, palm forward.

Some statues in Washington, D.C. that disprove the myth -

ANDREW JACKSON: Lafayette Park, (1853). Two hooves raised; died in peace

MAJ. GEN. GEORGE B. McCLELLAN: Connecticut Avenue and Columbia Road NW (1907). One hoof raised; died in peace, unwounded.

BRIG. GEN. COUNT CASIMIR PULASKI: 13th and Pennsylvania NW (1910). One hoof raised; died in battle.

LT. GEN. GEORGE WASHINGTON: Washington Circle, at 23rd and K and Pennsylvania and New Hampshire NW (1860). One hoof raised; died in peace of cynache trachealis. Washington Cathedral (1959). One hoof raised.
--------
However, as I pointed out in another thread somewhere, if all 4 legs of the horse are in the air, the horse is dead.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: DorianGreyed,

Very interesting..I know the answer I had was Rider died in battle...

Sam, if it is any consolation to you, I believed that 'feet in the air' thing until I was in my mid-40's. Then, a friend pointed out numerous statues that disproved it, and I did some reading about it. For some reason, people seem to have a need to believe in these 'stories' like this one, the 21 gun salute, the crack in the Liberty Bell, and others that I can't remember right now. Maybe it is a need to somehow sense a larger plan to things, provide traditions or glamor to a youthful nation, ar just to feel that things mean more than they really do. Conjecture such as this really belongs on a Philosphy forum, though.