 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.
Ethiopian Coptic Cross:
The Ethiopian Coptic Cross is a symbol of Christianity. Christianity came to the highlands of Ethiopia in the early part of the 4th century, with the arrival of the Egyptian Copts, who were forced to flee their homeland. Isolating themselves from the outside world in remote mountain villages, they were able to protect themselves from the spread of Islam and practice their faith. Inspired by their religion, they made their unique silver crosses using the lost wax method. In this technique the mold is broken after every cast, so each piece is a one-of-a-kind, work of art. Each Town or Provence created its own individual design, which made it possible to tell where a person was from by the cross they wore.
The earliest designs were simple cross forms with little deviations from the Greek and Latin designs. Then as the silver became more available and the skill of the artisans increased, the crosses began to take on a life of their own. They became more elaborate, with beautiful and complicated open work designs. The use of the "endless interwoven lines" pattern, which symbolized eternity, became very popular. This pattern has shown up in many cultures and religions throughout history.
To see more examples of the unique Ethiopian crosses make sure you watch our video, found on our homepage.
Photos: Top Left: Black Onyx Cross Necklace XL, from the Cross Necklace Collection
Bottom Right: Carnelian Cross Necklace XL , from the Cross Necklace Collection
Antique Tibetan Turquoise Cross Necklace, from the Cross Necklace Collection
Black Onyx Cross Necklace XL, from the Cross Necklace Collection
Pendants from the KatieO collection
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