Religion Insignia

 
 This is a 6mm gold bead imitation rosary. It is used as a recitation of prayer beads to meditate and reflect on the life of Jesus. It is worn by Christians especially the Catholics.

 According to the Catholic, the rosary was presented to St Demonic by the Virgin Mary in the 13th century when he had a vision of Mary. Thats when he encouraged catholics to gather in groups to pray that was the initial stage of the rosary serving as a meditating tool to engage in prayer to reflect on the mysteries of Jesus and the virgin Mary. The rosary is often associated to be an indicator of catholicism, as the rosary holds a significance within catholic churches serving as a symbol of faith.

rosary is a religious insignia usually used by catholics. It consists of beads, strings and a crucifix . It is used to recite prayers of Hail Mary and the our father and meditating on the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Each decade consists of 10 beads

A rosary is a religious emblem primarily used by Catholics. It consists of beads, a string, and a crucifix. Its primary function is to assist in the recitation of prayers, including the Hail Mary and the Our Father, while meditating on significant events in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The rosary is structured into decades, with each decade composed of ten beads.

 

https://sspx.org/en/news-events/news/rosary-moral-and-social-influence  

https://www.dynamiccatholic.com/rosary/history-of-the-rosary.html#:~:text=Dominic,the%20prayers%20to%20be%20prayed.zZX

Medical Insignia

Matron epaulettes

The above device is called an epaulette , It is worn by nurses and midwives to indicate their registered capacities. This device come with a badge and different color pins which symbolize the capacities the wearer is enrolled or registered in.

epaulettes work as indicator of the nurses rank or position within the nursing team as well as the role they play within the healthcare facility. They also play a part in indicating professionalism within the healthcare department.

Distinguishing devices are worn by nurses and midwives in the healthcare field. They serve as indicators of the wearer's registered enrollment status and qualifications. These devices include epaulettes, bars, and badges, each marked with distinct colors to identify the wearer's professional qualifications and rank within the healthcare community.

• Metal (brass, bronze, or oxidized silver) ,Enamel,Textile (In some cases, fabric components like epaulettes). Technique used is die casting ,Engraving ,Embossing,Enamelling, Attachment mechanism and Polishing.

  
  

  
  

https://www.sanc.co.za/distinguishing-devices/

https://medium.com/@zondi2030/nursing-epaulettes-what-are-distinguishing-devices-in-a-south-african-context-75d2c7408b2f

Army Insignia

 

Parachutist Badge

This is a parachutist also refered to as jump wings is a military badge of the united state armed force. It is made of brass and copper. The bagdes differ according to ones rank and indicates ones qualification or an achievement one has obtained.

Each badge represent skills and experience one has mastered during training and indicates ones accomplishment within the military community as it also indicates ones role.

Parachutist badges are military decorations awarded to individuals who have successfully completed parachute training. These badges signify achievement and are used to identify an individual's rank within the military, contributing to their overall status. Parachutist badges come in three degrees: Basic Parachutist Badge, Senior Parachutist Badge, and Master Parachutist Badge.

1. Gold or Silver: These are often used to signify higher levels of achievement or mastery within airborne operations. For example, a gold or silver star on the badge may indicate a Senior Parachutist or Master Parachutist, respectively, demonstrating a higher level of expertise and experience in parachuting.

2. Bronze: Bronze stars on a parachutist badge are typically used to denote combat parachute jumps. Each bronze star can represent a specific number of combat

   
   

   brass, bronze, or oxidized silver. Technique used is Die-casting, Engraving, Embossing, Die-striking, Plating ,Oxidation , attachment (back pins or clasp) and polishing.

   
   

   
   

https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-2008-title32-vol3/pdf/CFR-2008-title32-vol3-sec578-79.pdf  

Engagement Ring

 

Zeppelin Engagement ring

This is a 1.75mm width band .It is made of 18k gold, Oval step cut diamond and needle baguette cut diamonds.An engagement ring is said to be a proposal that two people make with the intention to someday marry one another.

An engagement ring is an ancient tradition that is believed to have been a traditional custom that started in Rome , where women wore rings attached to small keys to indicate their husbands ownership. In 1477, the trend of using diamond rings as an engagement ring sparked when Archduke Maximilian who was the first to present an engagement ring to his wife Mary of Burgundy as symbol of his love for her and it was the first known diamond ring to know to be worn before marriage.An engagement is used as an indicator of status that one is committed or taken and soon to be married. Therefore they are “off the market”.

An engagement ring is a ring that someone gives to their partner with the intention of marrying them. It plays a significant role in identifying one's financial status through its cost and quality, as well as one's social status, indicating their commitment or engagement.

18k gold, Oval step cut diamond and needle baguette cut diamonds. Technique used is metal work and setting .

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https://www.americangemsociety.org/buying-diamonds-with-confidence/the-history-of-the-diamond-as-an-engagement-ring/#:~:text=Anthropologists%20believe%20this%20tradition%20originated,his%20betrothed%2C%20Mary%20of%20Burgundy.

https://www.handmade-engagementrings.com/magazine/engagement-advice/meaning-of-engagement 

https://www.haltoms.com/blog/2022/Jun/15/history-diamond-engagement-rings/#:~:text=In%201477%2C%20Archduke%20Maximilian%20of,to%20ask%20for%20her%20hand.

Contemporary

 

Horn Bangle
image: Pinterest

Flat Band Ring With Sterling Silver And Horns
Ring Made By: Ayanda Qwabe

Jewellery that I make is made in a form of  expressing my concept and inspirations which derive from African spirituality and religion which is centered around honouring ancestor, believing in the spiritual world and the use of cattle's in order to connect with the ancestors. I believe my jewellery links or falls under jewellery that is contemporary mainly because it gains inspiration from Western designs such as your traditional flat band , half round rings with stone settings such as flush, crown and pave' setting with a traditional touch in which it incorporates the use of horns which where traditionally used as ornaments , instruments and jewellery and now I am using the same material combining it with precious metal such as Sterling silver and Gemstones in order to add value. My pieces are light weight compared to actual traditional jewellery which are larger and heavy.

Shembe Fodo

Fodo Badge And Necklace With Resin Beads And Pendant
photo:by Ayanda

The above image on the badge is of isaiah Mdliwamafa Shembe who was a founder of Nazaretha church that is a combination of Zulu religion and Christianity that is based on the old testament of the bible. The Shembe amulet comes in different designs and shapes, it can also come in forms of  brooches, necklaces that can be worn and hunged on a car and stickers that can also be pasted on a car.

It is called iFodo it is an Amulet that either has an image of Isaiah Shembe or other prophets who have ruled the Shembe congregation after him. The necklace is used as a protection amulet and it is hanged on the rear mirror and it protects you from car accidents, hijacking car break in's. If it is a badge you pin it to the clothes you are wearing to protect you and for luck. Stickers are also pasted on the door of your home as prevention from evil forces that are spiritual or from people.

The amulet, known as "iFodo," typically features an image of Isaiah Shembe or other prophets who succeeded him in leading the Shembe congregation. These amulets are made from various materials, often metals, and sometimes include printed images or symbols.The necklace amulet is used for protection and is commonly hung from the rearview mirror in vehicles. It is believed to offer safeguarding against car accidents, hijacking, and car break-ins. If it's a badge, it can be pinned to one's clothing for protection and luck. Technique used is sticker application.
 

Evil Eye Amulet

Nazar Evil Eye 

The Nazar amulet, sometimes known as the Evil Eye amulet, is not the "Evil Eye." Instead, the Evil Eye is the expression that a person or supernatural being uses to express their envy of another.

The eyes are thought to have supernatural abilities and act as the soul's entrance. The Greek word for the evil eye is (mati), which is believed to be a universal sign of protection. The evil eye is believed to be directed at someone who stares out of envy or distaste in order to bring them bad lucks. The evil eye is a talisman designed to keep you safe from these malicious spirits.

The evil eye amulet is a protective symbol used to ward off the negative effects of the "evil eye," which is the belief that envy or dislike directed toward a person can bring bad luck upon them. This amulet serves as a talisman designed to shield individuals from the harmful influence of malevolent spirits associated with the evil eye. It is made of handmade glass.

Rastafarian Ankh

Garvey Wooden Beaded Ankh Set

For rastafarians an ankh is is a representation of eternal life and is a symbolic key of levity(Rastafarian concept of righteous or ever-living living . All those nearby are thought to be affected by the ankh's energy, which is said to radiate. As a result, having an Ankh in your possession such as in the form of an amulet is thought to protects you from evil spirits and deterioration in your life. 

The Rastafarian Ankh necklace symbolizes the divine and eternal life force. During meditation, it serves as a reminder of life's interconnectedness and the importance of spiritual vitality. Rastafarianism, deeply rooted in African heritage and spirituality, embraces the ankh due to its historical ties to ancient Africa. When used in meditation, it fosters a deeper connection to African spirituality and ancestry.

Bronze, Wood & nut. Technique used is beading.

Religious Amulet

 

Beaded Catholic Rosary

A rosary is a necklace worn mostly by Christians especially the Catholics. The Rosary is a prayer rope that has beads and is used to count certain prayers.  Prayers are uttered during a religious practice in which they are extended and numbered on a cord or beads string. The 59 beads of a rosary are used by Roman Catholics. The Our Father prayer is recited using the six large beads, while the Hail Mary prayer is spoken using the 53 smaller beads. The Apostles' Creed, Glory Be, and Hail, Holy Queen are additional rosary prayers. . These phrases have a strong biblical and Christian traditional foundation and can be used as a meditation.

The rosary is a Christian prayer aid, often associated with the Catholic tradition. It consists of a cord or string of beads, meticulously designed for structured prayer and meditation. In the Roman Catholic version, it typically comprises 59 beads. Six larger beads are employed for reciting the Our Father prayer, while the remaining 53 smaller beads are dedicated to the Hail Mary prayer. Additionally, the rosary includes the Apostles' Creed, Glory Be, and Hail, Holy Queen prayers. These time-honored phrases hold deep biblical and Christian traditions and are conducive to meditation.

made of materials such as wood, glass, plastic, or precious metals like gold or silver. The cord or string connecting the beads is typically made from durable materials, allowing for ease of use during prayer.

eating a rosary involves stringing the beads together in a specific pattern, often with a crucifix or cross at one end and a pendant or centerpiece at the other. Skilled artisans carefully knot or attach each bead to the cord