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When you think of a dragon, what image do you conjure up in your mind?
Do you picture a serpent like beast with a long muscular body and a fanned tail that can twist itself into coils? Or is your beast a huge creature than can rear up onto its hind legs and breathe fire? Personally, as a woman with a phobia of all things serpent like, my dragon would definately be the kind with legs, and he’d probably be purple.
What got me thinking about dragons in particular, was that as I was updating the mystical amulets & talismans section in the store I couldn’t fail but notice just how many dragons were represented in there, in all their many shapes and forms. There are Celtic Dragons, fantasy dragons, dragon skulls and a whole lot more.
For a creature perportedly only to exist in myth and legend we certainly hold some strong beliefs in its magickal abilities, or else why would we still design and wear jewellery that carries its image or form?
People have worn amulets and talismans for protection and good health for centuries, whether for protection from ill fortune or bad spirits ot to provide a little boost to their health and well being. So what makes a pendant a talisman?
Any pendant can be used as a talisman or amulet for any purpose you feel necessary, however to add potency to the talisman it would be wise to chose a symbol or image that carries power within its form.
For example, it your fascination lies in ancient Egypt and were looking for a pendant to assist you with personal power and confidence then a pendant in the form of ‘The Eye of Horus’ would be a good choice, whereas if you are in need of direction you would be wise to choose a pendant depicting Anubis.
Eye of Horus - Health Strength & Protection
Anubis - Guidance on Lifes Journey
Artistic people, who rely on the imagination for their impulsive creativity will find that The Pegasus of the Stars will serve them well. Whereas those who battle ill health will find respite in ‘The Cross of St Manchin’.
Pegasus of the Stars - Creativity & Quick Thinking
Cross of St Manchin - Healing
Power is related to belief, if you have a belief in a deity or a symbol then by your own admission you are allowing its energy to be amplified to suit your needs. So when you choose your pendant select an image that you are not only comfortable wearing, but also one that you have a genuine belief in or a respect for, and you may find that it really does assist you on life’s journey.
Ancient Egyptian artisans crafted designs not only to show the social status of the wearer but for ceremonial and ritualistic wear. Examples have been unearthed of the following forms: Amulets & Pendants; Bangles, Bracelets & Anklets; Pectorals, Girdles & Collars and Earrings, & Finger Rings. – Crafted from stone, bone, polished glass, gold and semiprecious stones.
The design, materials and colours used all had bearing on the ability of the piece to serve its purpose…
Red not only represented blood, it was symbolic of power and life force. Green was used to represent fertility and new life, it was also the colour of rebirth and resurrection. Between green and blue came Turquoise (Mefkat) which translated me
ans ‘Joy’ and ‘Delight’. Blue represented the all encompassing sky.
Scarab jewellery was inscribed with words from the ‘Book of the Dead’ for when it would be weighed against the feather of truth. The inscription reads ‘Do not stand as witness against me.’
The cartouche, an oval of hieroglyphs originally worn only by Pharaoh and the Gods, was a protective amulet to keep the king safe from evil spirits. The whole cartouche represents the lands ruled over by pharaoh, a rope circling his throne as the sun encircles the lands he rules.
Ankh jewellery symbolises life force and life eternal. There have been debates as to what the cruciform shape represents, some see the loop and cross as elemental in nature, representing water and air – the breath of life. Others see it as a union of male and female.
The Eye of Horus is worn as a protective amulet. Originally worn to ward off illness, it was placed inside the wrappings of the mummy, over the incision where internal organs were removed. It was to promote good luck, as it was unlucky to travel to the afterlife with a damaged body.
