Dec 28, 2012

Pagan Jewelry: Magic, Fashion, And Identity In One

By Audra Olson


An ornament that possesses symbols of indigenous or polytheistic traditions is called a pagan jewelry. A pentacle necklace or one which has a triple moon or an ankh qualifies as one. Such symbols vary in meaning, depending on their origin. The eye of Horus for example, is known as the symbol of protection and healing in Egypt. But more than the meaning they have, they also reflect something about the their owner.

Wearing of such ornament takes a certain amount of courage and a unique worldview. This is because paganism does not have a good implication to some people and in some places. A wearer may get awkward stares, questioning, or in rare occasions, a scorn as for a worst case. But such hardly happen nowadays, especially with the dominance of the modern mindset.

The word "paganism" is an adjective that is derived from the Latin term "paganus", which translates to "rustic", "rural", or "of the country". How it changed to mean "non-Christian" is still unclear, but the seemingly jaundiced reaction it occasionally yields in people may be due to early Christianity's campaigns against it. But then, if viewed from a different perspective, pagan symbols can be astonishing as well.

Paganism has an array of symbols which may reflect one's reverence for nature, acknowledgement of the connection between the mind, body, and soul, or respect for the gift of life. These may also connote modern meanings, like the Triquetra which now symbolizes Christianity's concept of the holy trinity. And aside from these, pagan jewelries may also represent anything the owner attaches to them.

Wearing these kind of ornaments depends on the things an individual believes in. For some, such must be worn to take advantage of their magical properties. Amulets for instance are believed to bring its wearer good luck and keep him or her away from sickness, dangers, and evils. Some on the other hand wear them to reflect their philosophy in life, like in the case of those wearing yin-yang--the symbol of harmony.

Meanwhile, in a lighter sense, a person may wear one just because he or she likes it. A girl may choose to wear one since it looks great when coupled with her dress. A guy may opt to have one because it looks nifty on him, or because it makes him look good. The reasons may vary from one to another. And such reasons may also depend on what they represent or how they look.

However, most of pagan jewelry designs are masculine so you might have a problem with them if you are a girl. Finding one that looks feminine might be challenging. But then, they are usually made from silver or semi-precious stones so they are sure to appear elegant and will mostly match any attire.

Although wearing pagan jewelry may seem subjective, for many believers, it is the intention behind that grants power to this form of ornament. And that it is such power that separates it from its ordinary counterparts. But for whatever reason you may opt to wear one, it is always a guarantee that it would tell the world a piece of your personality.




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