For as long as humans have been adorning themselves, there have been critters both large & small in our jewelry creations. Some creatures have been worn in jewelry just because but often, a spiritual significance has come with specific animals. Wearing an animal as a totem, talisman, or good luck charm was believed to enhance a particular wish or protection.
Snakes were acknowledged as a symbol of fertility in ancient Egypt and all the way through ancient Rome until Christianity was made legal in 313 A.D. The snake reference is believed to have come from the association between snakes and water AND between snakes and their resemblance to the male sex organ. The Hopi tribe of North America celebrated snakes as a symbol of fertility for their crops. Snakes have been a part of the some of the most beautiful ancient jewelry.
Another fertility symbol of the ancient world was The Cat. Bast (the Egyptian cat-headed Goddess of motherhood, fertility, and strong protection for females) was featured prominently in jewelry in addition to architecture and other artistic expressions.
Lions were chosen in jewelry design for their obvious strength and tenacity. Sehkmet was a lion-headed goddess in Egyptian civilizations. This lion goddess was known for her superior hunting and battle skills and was also believed to possess great healing powers.
Throughout North America, Bears have been worn as a symbol of protection. Bears feature prominently in Native American jewelry including fetish necklaces, rings, bracelets, hair ornaments, and earrings.
Because scarab beetles were affiliated with Khepri-Ra (the Egyptian god of rebirth and of regeneration); Scarabs were very popular in jewelry from ancient Egypt through Rome (again, until the presence of Christianity).
Whatever your reason, I think it’s pretty cool to adorn oneself with wearable creatures!
The photo collage that is attached to this blog post features 4 of my own designs with a Creature Feature. Each of these items are currently available and may be found within the SHOP button a the top of this page :*)
Whatever the reason and however you wear them, Creatures Are Cool! Wear them with pride and Wear Boldly!
If you’re interested in reading up more on animals totems and their symbolism, there’s a fine site (written and maintained by Avia Venefica) here: http://www.whats-your-sign.com/animal-totems.html This brilliant human makes it her mission to identify the symbolisms between all living creatures and humans, why each of us is drawn to specific organisms in life (be they mineral, plant, or animal), and what it all means.