Turquoise 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.

Turquoise:

 Turquoise has been one of the most prized stones in history and has been used as amulets for thousands of years.  It has been associated with many god and goddesses.  A common belief shared by many civizations held that turquoise had strong protective, mystical, and medicinal qualities.

 To the Aztecs, turquoise was a symbol of the sun and fire.  They believed a turquoise serpent linked heaven and earth, and associated it with their fire god Xiuhtecuhtli.  In many Native American tribes, turquoise, or the sky stone, was an ancient talisman for health and happiness, and has been used for centuries.  Most tribes believed that turquoise bought good fortune and ensured a long and healthy life.

In Ancient Egypt, turquoise was associated with Hathor, goddess of beauty and dance, and was worn for its protective powers.  In the Middle East, they believed that a turquoise amulet could protect you from the evil eye, accidents, snakebites, scorpion stings, and disease.  The Tibetans believed turquoise had very powerful talismanic powers and could purity blood, remove poison, repel demons and avert the evil eye.

Photos:

Top Left:  Birds Nest, from the Fringe Collection

Bottom Right:  Turquoise Garden, from the Fringe Collection

                        Dew Drops, from the Fringe Collection

                        Pendants from the KatieO Collection