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.

Crocodile:

The Crocodile with its ability to live on both land and in water is a symbol of great power and has great protective properties.  As with many water creatures it is associated with fertility, and the prayer for water. In ancient Egypt the crocodile was a symbol of raw power and associated with rich harvests.  It was associated with water and earth, life and death, and the underworld.  In parts of Africa the crocodile was considered to have supernatural powers and was worn to aid in fertility and to ward of evil.

Photos:  Dogon Bronze Pendants from the KatieO Collection