Amulets and Symbols in Jewelry Design

Whether you call them amulets, charms, fetishes, or talismans, virtually every culture had them.  I like to think of them as little works of art, but they are so much more than that.  They were worn on the body to bring luck, heal, enhance fertility, protect against injury (during travel, hunting, or from bites and stings) or ward off evil, depending on the wearers beliefs and intentions.  They came in many forms, made with different materials, and adorned with different symbols. The meaning and significance in the symbolism of a particular image changed from east to west, culture to culture, and even day to day.  Even if you do not believe in their magical powers, it is fun to know the intention of the artists who created them, and the power felt by the person who wore them before you, as many of the pieces are antiques.  Below is a list of amulets and symbols found in many of the pendants and beads in KatieO jewelry.

Elephant:

The elephant is a symbol of strength, longevity, prosperity, and wisdom. In Roman mythology the elephant was the embodiment of wisdom.  In India it was an ancient symbol for prosperity and moral strength.  In Burma, Thailand, and Cambodia the elephant was a fertility symbol and represented rainfall.  In Buddhism the elephant is a symbol of spiritual knowledge.  In parts of Africa the elephant was as symbol of power and was believed to tend to the needs of humans and animals.

Photos:

Top Left:  Dancing Elephant, from the Fringe Collection

Bottom Right:  Dancing Elephant, from the Fringe Collection

                          Pendants from the KatieO Collection