Carousel Ride Superstitions, Traditions and Rituals
Carousels and merry-go-rounds have been a part of popular culture for centuries, and like many traditions, they've collected their fair share of superstitions over time. Here are some of our favourite carousel-related superstitions:
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Reaching for the Brass Ring: A popular carousel superstition in the USA involves the "brass ring." Some carousels have a dispenser that releases rings as the carousel turns. Riders try to grab these rings as they pass by. The superstition is that if you manage to grab the elusive brass ring, you'll have good luck or win a prize. This tradition likely originated from the early 1900s when riders could exchange a brass ring for a free ride or other rewards, and has led to the idiom "to grab the brass ring," meaning to live life to the fullest, or to aim for the prize. Although there are many carousels around in the USA, only a handful still have brass rings.
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Clockwise vs. anticlockwise: Some carousels rotate clockwise (to the right), while others rotate anticlockwise (to the left). Across the Atlantic, carousels spin in an anticlockwise direction, but back home in the UK, they go clockwise. The origin of this tradition harks back to the historical method of mounting real horses. In England, the carousel pays homage to the age-old practice of mounting a horse from the left side. So, when you take a whirl on a British carousel, you'll be circling to the right. This goes back to the history of the carousel as a training tool for cavalry!
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The Haunted Carousel Horse: At Cedar Point Amusement Park in Sandusky, Ohio, an eerie tale swirls around a haunted carousel horse. This story takes its place on a merry-go-round sculpted by master artist Daniel C. Muller in 1917. Known as Muller's Military Horse, its crimson hue and fierce expression give it an unsettling presence. Having travelled through various parks and carnivals without incident, it was its arrival at Cedar Point when the ghost stories began. Workers claim to have seen a ghostly woman with a soft, ethereal glow riding the funfair ride during the night. Some have even reported unexplained movements and ghostly bites. This apparition might be linked to Mr. Muller's wife, who cherished the horse deeply and was heartbroken when it was destined for the carousel. She vehemently opposed the photography of the carousel horse and may be the source of its haunting.
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The Cursed Carousel: According to urban legend, a woman embarked on a mission to resurrect her father's carousel, a once-thriving attraction now deemed "cursed" due to a history of accidents culminating in a tragic death. Left dormant for years, the carousel languished in storage, overshadowed by its dark legacy. Her husband proposed a promotional event where he'd ride one of the wooden carousel horses for 100 hours. However, the event takes a chilling turn when the husband claims to have been bitten by the very horse he's mounted, and dies on the spot. Upon closer examination, a venomous snake slides out of the horse's mouth! This serpent, dormant since the carousel's storage days in an Everglades shed, silently resided within, waiting to unleash the curse once more. This urban legend was featured on Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction!
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Returning to the Same Horse: Some carousel enthusiasts believe that riding the same horse each time they visit brings good luck. This might be similar to having a lucky seat on a roller coaster. People have their favourite horses - many carousel horses even have their own special names - while other merry-go-rounds might have different animals to ride on, such as unicorns or dragons, that can hold special significance for particular riders.
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Wishing on the Carousel: As with many things, a common superstition involves making a wish while on the carousel. Some believe you have to make a wish and complete a full rotation while holding onto the pole or reins of the carousel animal, while others say you must wait until the third rotation of the carousel. Either way, your wish will come true! (Allegedly).
While some people take these superstitions seriously, others see them as fun traditions that add to the joy of riding a carousel. There's so much wonder in these endlessly-fascinating funfair attractions - check out our carousel guides and FAQs to find out more!
