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.

Lapis Lazuli:

With its deep blue coloring and gold flecks, Lapis has been associated with the heavens and divine forces, and has been prized since antiquity.  In ancient Egypt lapis was a favorite stone for amulets and was often carved in the shape of a scarab, which symbolized rebirth, and in the form of an eye, which was considered an amulet of great power.  The Sumerians believed it contained the spirit of the deities and carved amulets in numerous shapes to call upon their favor.  The Romans believed that lapis was a powerful aphrodisiac, and in Greece it was associated with Aphrodite and symbolized love.  In China it was associated with clear-sightedness and symbolized vision.

Photos:

Top Left:  Cosmos, from the Treasure Chest Collection

Bottom Right:  Blue Angel, from the Treasure Chest Collection

                           Cosmos, from the Treasure Chest Collection

                           Pendants from the KatieO Collection