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Two rowan twigs bound with red thread into an equal-armed cross.
Also known as: Rowan and red thread, Mountain ash cross
Two sprigs of rowan tied crosswise with red thread and carried or hung as protection, recorded across Scotland, northern England and Scandinavia. The rowan tree, the cross form and the red thread are each part of the specification.
Two rowan twigs bound at right angles with red thread, carried, worn or hung over a door or byre as protection against witchcraft and ill-wishing.
Scotland, northern England and Scandinavia
The rowan itself was widely held to be protective and was planted beside houses and byres for the purpose; the red thread is specified in the recorded charms rather than being incidental.
Preserved in the Scots rhyme 'rowan tree and red thread put the witches to their speed', one of a number of surviving verse charms attached to the practice.
Scotland
Two short straight twigs forming an equal-armed cross, bound where the lines meet with wound red thread.