​Gable boards were virtually the only ornamental elements used in traditional Estonian architecture and they were closely related to a number of beliefs. It was generally believed that unfriendly spirits and greedy goblins could enter through this opening. Being near the ungas was considered to give one some magical powers, through it one could see the invisible and a curse uttered through an ungas was especially powerful. The ends of these boards were carved to look like a horse's or a bird's head or a horn. Sometimes a horse skull was placed in the opening to be entirely on the safe side. It can be explained by the fact that horses were, as in many nations, animals to be used in sacrificial rites and they were considered to protect one from evil spirits.