For thousands of years, people have been wearing jewelry charms to ward off evil spirits, for protection from enemies or to adorn their bodies just because the charms were pretty. Charms as we know them today date back to the ancient Egyptians. Ancient Egyptians wore the ankh, a symbol of life, and the eye of Horus, a symbol of the sun god. Charms were also used as indicators of the status of the wearer both in life and in the afterlife, for which Egyptians prepared so carefully, as a way for the gods to determine the proper status level that the wearer should attain after death.
Christianity was a dangerous belief to hold during the Roman era. Early Christians hid fish charms in their garments. They would carefully reveal their charms so that they could join fellow Christians in forbidden worships.
As Christianity gained acceptance, Christians wore crosses dangling from necklaces, much like many Christians do today. Some had a copy of St. John's gospel on a necklace or carefully placed a copy of the Lord's Prayer in their shoes. Christians also started to adapt pagan symbols for their own use. For example, iron horse shoes, if turned towards heaven, were an acceptable means to ward off evil and provide good luck.
During the Middle Ages, charms were used to indicate the wearer's profession, family and political orientation. When used with incantations or spells, charms protected the bearer from enemies. The lucky rabbit's foot tradition emerged during these years. Rabbits were associated with witches because rabbits, like witches, emerge during the nighttime hours. Many thought that rabbits were witches in disguise. A rabbit's foot was carried by hand or attached to a charm bracelet as protection against witches and other evils.
The Renaissance heralded many changes in Europe, particularly for the upper classes. Charms became less popular as more people began to read mass-produced books. However, many superstitions and the charms that were associated with them still held with those who were unable to read or to get an education.
Little changed with charms until the late 19th century. In Victorian England, charms started to be worn as a fashion statement rather than for superstitious reasons. Queen Victoria wore charm bracelets that included portraits of her family. Fashionable ladies of the upper class followed suit.
Victorian England set the stage for an explosion in the popularity of charms during the 20th century. During World War I and World War II, servicemen bought little trinkets and charms to take home to the women in their lives. Not to be left out, jewelry manufacturers started offering charms to fill the demands of a growing market.
Today, charms are very collectible. They can be found made from many materials, including silver, gold and celluloid. They can make very pretty additions to your bracelets or can be treasured on their own.
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For those interested in obtaining beauty, and sometimes history, collecting jewelry provides many rewards. From antiques to modernized pieces, jewelry makes for a wonderful collectible. |
Do you know that many individuals sell antique jewelry for a profit? For some individuals, especially those unfamiliar with antiques, it may be a bit difficult to get started. |
