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.

Frog:

The frog is a symbol for fertility, prosperity, water, and resurrection. As with many water creatures it is associated with the moon and feminine energy. In Ancient Egypt and Asia the frog was a symbol of fertility, and water, and the bringer of spring rains. In Japan the frog was a symbol of luck, especially for voyagers.  In China the frog represented the lunar female principle and was a symbol for prosperity and healing.  In Peru the frog was a symbol for rain and fruitfulness.  In parts of Africa the frog was a symbol of resurrection and revered as a god.  With its ability to bury itself in the mud during dry seasons and reemerge with the spring rains it was believed to have strong magical powers.  In some Native American Tribes the frog was a symbol of fertility, renewal, and purification.

Photos: Pendants from the KatieO Collection