What do chimney sweeps have in common with four leaf clovers, unicorns, and rainbows? They are all associated with good luck. For as long as it has been a profession, stories of good luck have been attached to the humble sweep – and alongside those stories, traditions have been formed.
Our work at All Seasons Chimney is so exceptional that you can’t be blamed for wondering if chimney sweeps are, in fact, lucky. But what’s the history behind these legends?
The History of the Sweep
The history of the chimney sweep profession dates back to the 16th century in England. Chimneys became common as heating your home was done through your fireplace. Of course, this meant that a clean and well-maintained chimney was an important safety measure. The chimney sweeping profession was born, despite the many dangers it posed. Overall the job was dirty, difficult, dangerous, and didn’t pay very well.
Most often it was young children that would be sent up the chimneys because they were small and could easily climb and sweep the soot and buildup in the flue. Of course, breathing those substances in could cause health issues, in addition to the high risk of falling or getting stuck. Yet despite all of these things, the chimney sweep began to be seen as one that brought with it good luck.
Why Are Chimney Sweeps Lucky?
There are many myths and legendary stories that associate the chimney sweep with positive fortune.
They Save Lives
Perhaps the most common story of sweeps and their supposedly increased levels of luck of King George III.
According to this legend, the king was riding in his carriage through London’s city sweeps when a large dog confronted the horses. This startled the horses and they began to rear up. A nearby sweep saw what was happening and quickly jumped into action. He was able to quickly calm the scared horses and prevent royal disaster. So thankful was the king that he declared the chimney sweep be treated with respect, as with them came good luck and safety.
They’re Love Interests
Another of these legends describes the luck of the chimney sweep as being a love interest. As the story goes, a chimney sweep was doing his job high up on a rooftop when he slipped and managed to hook his boot on the roof’s gutter. There he hung upside down when a female resident of the home looked out the window and spotted him. Like a scene out of Spider Man, she immediately fell in love with him and pulled him into safety.
Though she was engaged to be married to someone else, she called off the wedding and married the chimney sweep instead. Of course, as any good legendary tale of love goes, they lived happily ever after.
But… Is There Truth To It All?
These stories, along with countless others, have helped to cement the idea that chimney sweeps are lucky. From these tales were born many traditions including having a chimney sweep at your wedding in order to bring the new couple luck as they begin a new life together, or hiring a chimney sweep to join your New Years party, so you can start the new year on the right foot. In fact, some people believe that a chimney sweep can bring fertility to a household.
But is a chimney sweep really lucky?
Science doesn’t offer us any evidence that suggests the chimney sweep is any more or less lucky than a rabbit’s foot or the number seven. It is worth acknowledging, though, the fact that there are a lot of stories out there that, though can’t be proven, have persisted in supporting this idea of the lucky chimney sweep for hundreds of years.
There are even modern day reports of chimney sweeps showing up in someone’s life just before they win the lottery or stumble into other types of fortune. Coincidence? Maybe… but enough of the same type of coincidence does make you wonder.
So, should you consider hiring a chimney sweep for your next big event in hopes of improving your luck? Of course you can, but what you should really consider is hiring a chimney sweep to do what they are best at – inspecting, sweeping, and repairing your chimney.
Trust the Team at All Seasons
Our sweeps at All Seasons Chimney bring with them more than luck – they bring along skills that can’t be beat. They are knowledgeable, friendly, experienced, and provide expert attention to detail.
This means that your chimney won’t just be clean – it will be left in top shape so that you can rest easier knowing that everything from airflow to freedom from creosote or soot buildup has been granted you (in addition to whatever luck they might bring along with them).
Call Us Today
Call us today to schedule a springtime checkup, so we can get rid of the soot and residue that have built up in your chimney over the winter. Not only will we bestow upon you all the luck we can offer, we will also give you the safest, cleanest, and most professional service you can ask for.
Get started by dialing 845-552-1701 or by booking with us online today.
Technically, it is possible to do something like waterproofing as a DIY project – that said, it’s something we highly discourage. Readily available waterproofing products that you might find at big box stores are generally not made to last a long time, and they’re often not vapor permeable, either. This means that any moisture already in your bricks cannot escape – and if the water is unable to evaporate out then it will continue to freeze and thaw until more damage is done.