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.

Cow:

The cow is a symbol of rebirth, strength, nurturing, the matriarch, and fertility.  In many ancient cultures the cow was the personification of mother earth and the cosmos.  Her crescent horns represented the the moon and her abundant milk represented the milky way.   In Hinduism and Buddhism the cow is a  sacred animal, valued for its milk and dung, and a symbol of happiness.  They believed that the cows patient rhythms of life presented an image of holiness. In parts of Africa the cow symbolizes healing.

Photos:  Dogon Bronze Pendant, from the KatieO Collection