Diversity truly is a beautiful thing. In all corners of the world, people have their own traditions and customs, which is what often makes traveling such a deep and meaningful experience. If you consider yourself a citizen of the world, you’ll be interested in the fascinating ways people from different parts of the globe differ from one another. We all have our own quirky customs, those that are steeped in tradition and oftentimes make for interesting reading.

On today’s agenda is something that caught my eye when I was journeying across the mid-west of America last summer. There I was, minding my own business in the back seat of a car, when I noticed a cowboy boot left on a fence post. I then saw another a few miles down the road, and then another about an hour after that. Too many to be coincidence, in any case, and something I decided to read up on when I returned home.

Low and behold, it turns out that leaving old boots actually serves a significant purpose: there are a few reasons cowboys, farmers, and ranchers have long chosen to display them in this way.

Boots as a Symbol of Hard Work

For ranchers, boots are more than just a fashion statement. These heavy-duty boots have protected their feet during arduous working days for decades. When a rancher hangs his or her old footwear on a fence post, it can be interpreted as a symbol of all the hard work they’ve put in. The wear-and-tear on the boots reflects the work of the person who wore them, telling a story of the grind many ranchers and farmers undertake to sustain their livelihoods and contribute to their communities.

Honoring the Past

Boots on a fence post can also be a way to honor the past and remember loved ones who have passed away. It’s common for ranchers to hang the boots of deceased loved ones and respected peers on fence posts, creating a visible tribute to their memory. This custom is also applied when a rancher loses his or her horse. The bond between man and horse is strong, and hanging a pair of boots on the fence serves as a gesture of respect for the animal that played such an important role in their lives.

A Primitive Means of Communication

In the old days before telephones and electricity, finding out if someone was home or not wasn’t as simple as sending a message or making a phone call. Ranchers would hang boots on their fence posts to let others know they were home, serving as a crude means of communication. It’s a tradition that harkens back to a simpler time, when face-to-face interactions were essential for staying connected.

Landmarks and Weather Protection

In addition to their symbolic and communicative functions, leaving boots on fence posts also has practical benefits. In remote rural areas, these boots serve as useful landmarks for directions and navigation, especially for those who are unfamiliar with the area. Moreover, they also protect the fence posts from the effects of weathering, ensuring their longevity.

So, the next time you come across a cowboy boot left on a fence post, remember that it’s more than just a quirky custom. It’s a symbol of hard work, a tribute to the past, a means of communication, and even a practical landmark. These boots tell a story of the people and traditions that make up the rich tapestry of our world.

READ MORE

If you see a house or barn with a star on it, this is what it means
If you spot these mysterious black dots in your kitchen, you had better know what they mean