Jewish Amulet (Lilith pandent)

Engraved Silver Lilith Pendant

The above image shows a baby amulet etched with biblical verses and kabbalistic formulas that list the Bible and the name of god is engraved on it and the image of  Lilith. This amulet, known as a kameya in Hebrew, is an illustration of the widespread and age-old Jewish custom of protecting newborn children from Lilith's wrath and the evil eye. Lilith is viewed as a strong and envious energy that babies are easily harmed by. The amulets could be worn around the neck or attached on strings. 

This amulet serves as a protective talisman, intended to safeguard newborn children and women during childbirth by warding off the influence of Lilith, a nocturnal demon. The pendant incorporates biblical quotations and Kabbalistic formulas and quotation from Leviticus 6:22-24 and incorporates it into an inscription that complements the text of the Priestly Blessing from Leviticus 25-27, enriching its spiritual symbolism.with the letters of the "name of God" adds to the amulet's mystical significance, underscoring its protective purpose.

It is crafted in silver and takes the form of a rectangular cut-sheet with a distinctive peaked top. The centerpiece of the amulet features a central human figure, symbolizing Lilith, surrounded by intricate Hebrew inscriptions.

• The amulet is primarily made of silver.the technique used for this amulet was engraving
  • 
    

  
  

Hindu Amulets

Brass Durga Pendant

Durga is a Hindu goddess she is used as an Amulet that  is connected to defense, power, motherhood, devastation, and conflicts.

As a symbol of achieving of good over evil, Durga's narrative is centered on battling evils and demonic powers that imperil  prosperity and peace. It is thought that Durga unleashes her divine fury on the wicked in order to free the oppressed, and that she involves devastation in order to strengthen creation. Durga is revered as a motherly goddess and frequently portrayed as a stunning woman riding a lion or tiger, holding weapons in each of her many arms, and frequently vanquishing demons.

The Durga amulet, a revered symbol in Hinduism, depicts Goddess Durga riding a lion and wielding weapons. In Hindu mythology, armed with these weapons, Durga battled and defeated the powerful demon Mahishasura and his army, symbolizing her protective nature. The amulet serves as a shield, protecting the wearer from negative energies and adversities, invoking the strength and fearlessness of Goddess Durga.

Material used is silver

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.

Roman Amulet

Etruscan gold bulla amulet

A bulla amulet is a neck chain and round pouch locket made of gold or covered in a gold foil. It is worn around the neck as a locket containing protective amulets like phallic symbols to protect against evil forces. It is given to a baby boy nine days after birth and freeborn males wore it until they came of age. Before he puts his Greco Romania garment of manhood(Taga virilis) and places his boyhood bulla in the care of his parents house.

The Roman bulla is a round amulet worn by boys to ward off evil spirits. It consists of two convex plates and is typically given to a boy eight days after his birth, coinciding with the day he is named. It also symbolizes the status of being a freeborn child.

Materials: The materials used to craft a Roman bulla varied depending on the family's status:

• Silver, Gold, or Bronze: Bullae made of precious metals like silver or gold were reserved for high-status families. These bullae were likely more ornate and luxurious in design.
• Bronze: Less expensive bullae were made from bronze, which was a more accessible material. They would still provide protection but were less extravagant.
• Leather: In some cases, bullae could be crafted from leather, especially for families with more modest means. Leather bullae were simpler in design but served the same protective purpose.

The Roman tradition of wearing bullae was influenced by the Etruscans, and it played a significant role in the cultural practices surrounding the birth and naming of children in ancient Rome.

 

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

Egyptian Necklace Amulet

Heavy beaded neck piece with with a crescent front  

 
In ancient region, the Menat is an amulet that has many rows of beads and a cresent font piece and a counterpoise attached at it rear. The necklace was intended to bring good fortune and protect against evil spirits. It was also worn for afterlife protection and is frequently discovered buried with the dead, given as a grave gift from Ramesside times (the second Dynasty of the Ancient Egyptian New Kingdom period, lasting from 1292 BC to 1189 BC.)Females who engaged in religious activities were more likely to carry it.  It was a percussion instrument that was shook to provide a soothing noise in order to satisfy a god or goddess. The other end of the strings were attached to a counterweight that was hung from the wearer's back. The aegis was often made of faience(keyhole-shaped piece) and other materials like leather and metal such as bronze were also used.

The Menat, an ancient amulet, consists of multiple rows of beads, a crescent-shaped pendant in the front, and a counterpoise at the rear. This necklace served various purposes, including bringing good fortune, warding off evil spirits, and providing afterlife protection. It was frequently discovered as a burial offering during the Ramesside period of Ancient Egypt (1292 BC to 1189 BC). Women engaged in religious activities often wore it, and it also functioned as a percussion instrument used to produce soothing sounds for divine offerings.

The Menat was crafted using different materials, with the beads typically made of faience. Additional materials such as leather and metals like bronze were also used. The amulet was meticulously strung together with multiple rows of beads and attached to a counterweight at the rear, allowing it to be worn comfortably. This technique ensured its durability and effectiveness in both spiritual rituals and protective functions.

Spiritual Mediation Outline

Spiritual mediation


On this report I will discuss the three historical and contemporary amulets that i will be focusing on. The three Historical cultures I will touch on is Egypt, Hindu and Rome. For Egypt i will talk about the Ankh necklace amulet which is the symbol of life. For India i choose the Mahadevi tailsman  which serves the power of wealth, knowledge and forgiveness which is made of pure bronze  and lastly For Rome I choose the Bulla amulet which is a locket made of metal covered with a folded over piece of gold foil which protects against evil spirits and forces.

On the contemporary amulets I will touch on Shembe, Christianity and Egypt. The Shembe amulet i will touch on is The Fodo from the nazareth its is neck piece which serves as a protector from bad omens and is used for praying. With Christianity I choose the Rosary which has hail marys prayer and our father they help one wash away their sins when praying and lastly the ankh from egypt which is the symbol of life.

Ancient Egyptian (Ankh)

 

Egyptian Ankh 

In Ancient Egypt, the ankh symbol is refed to as the key of life or the key of the Nile it represented endless life. The ankh, which was created by Africans in ancient Egypt and is thought to be the first or original cross. The ankh is frequently depicted in the hands of great Egyptian figures such as pharaohs and rulers, as a means of protecting their immortality which is the ability to live forever. The ankh was was worn by the living and the death frequently represented in temples and in the hands of Egyptian gods like Osiris, Isis, and Ra They were placed among the mummy wrappings to ensure the deceased's rebirth and well-being in the afterlife. They might be mounted on rings or strung as bracelets or necklaces. The ankh represented water, air, and the sun, all of which were supposed to provide and preserve life. Ankhs were also customarily placed in sarcophagi to assure life after deathhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ankh. 

 In Ancient Egypt, the ankh symbol, often referred to as the "key of life" or "key of the Nile," held deep spiritual significance, symbolizing eternal life. This unique cross, believed to be the earliest of its kind, was crafted by Africans in ancient Egypt. The ankh frequently appeared in the hands of revered Egyptian figures like pharaohs and rulers, serving as a symbol of their immortality, the ability to live eternally. It was both worn by the living and often represented in temples and held by Egyptian deities such as Osiris, Isis, and Ra. Ankhs were placed within mummy wrappings to ensure the deceased's rebirth and well-being in the afterlife. They were commonly incorporated into rings, bracelets, and necklaces. The ankh was a symbol representing the elements of water, air, and the sun, all essential for sustaining and preserving life. It was also traditionally placed within sarcophagi, symbolizing the assurance of life after death.

Ankhs were crafted using various materials, typically from metals like gold or precious materials like faience. They were meticulously designed and could be worn as pendants, rings, or other forms of jewelry. The technique involved careful artistry to create this symbol of profound spiritual and eternal significance.