A pair of old sneakers, boots, or flip-flops hanging from a power line — swinging slowly in the breeze like strange urban decorations.
It’s a familiar sight across cities, small towns, and neighborhoods in the U.S. and around the world.
But what do those shoes actually mean?
Is it a symbol? A memory? A celebration?
Or just a random act of fun?
Let’s look closer at the stories behind this mysterious tradition — because while there’s no single answer, each pair of shoes tells its own story.
No single explanation fits every case, but here are the most common beliefs people share:
1. Marking Territory (Gang or Group Symbol?)
Belief: Some think shoes on wires show gang presence or areas where drugs are sold.
Reality: This rumor has been around for years, but experts and police say it’s rarely true.
🚨 Most groups avoid obvious signs that would draw attention — they prefer to stay unnoticed.
Discover more
Next
boots
Boot
next
shoes
Shoes
Verdict: Might happen in very rare cases, but mostly a myth repeated over time.
Discover more
boots
Boot
shoes
next
Shoes
Next
2. A Rite of Passage or Celebration
Graduation day? Some students throw their shoes after finishing school or college.
