With all the rings, beeps and buzzes connecting us to our electronic devices, I’m becoming a bit nostalgic for a good sturdy knock on the door. Not only is this a pleasing auditory alternative to the doorbell, it’s also a striking way to properly greet guests and signal to them the kind of home at which they have arrived.
Knockers have been around since the invention of the door, but they’ve endured unique transformations in both form and symbolism over the centuries. We see evidence of their use in ancient Greece and in China, where dragon’s head knockers signify protection. People have long embellished their entryways with all varieties of designs, many of which are inspired by mythology, nature and religious teachings. Good-luck knockers are commonplace, taking the shape of cats, clovers, horseshoes, wishbones and all manner of charms. And the popular hand knocker is thought to be a symbol of the hand of Fatima, a talisman protecting the house from evil.
Photography by 2nd Truth
The lion’s head in particular has always intrigued me. It’s so widely used that even new hardware and home-décor brands are offering their own unique versions. A fixture in human history since the beginning of recorded time, this figure has come to represent many things: pride, protection, strength and supremacy. While the noble beast is known as the king of the jungle, this knocker symbolizes that the lion serves the master within, suggesting the might of those who dwell behind the doors.
Today, there are many ways to recapture the grandeur of our entrances. Knockers are a great way to signal the panache within. Traditional or modern, the door knocker is a well-placed calling card for you and your home’s style.
