The usage of protection amulets seems universal stemming from the human desire for protection. The existence seems to extend from the cave dwellers to the present. As objects they come and go with fashion, taking on different designs and shapes, but their purpose remains the same. No matter how civilized a culture may be, the amulets are present.
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Contents
Definition
The term amulet is derived from either the Latin word amuletum or the old atin term amoletum which means, “means of defense.” Pliny, the Roman naturalist, described three types of amulets: those which offered protection against trouble and adversity; those which provided a medical or prophylatic treatment; and substances used as medicine.
Romans have so much reverence for amulets as instruments of protection and good luck. The idea of evil spell had been around for a very long time, and it was prevalent in the ancient times. As a result, the Romans were compelled to wear these amulets to ward off evil spells.
Amulets were not only made for good luck and protection; they were also made for fertility purpose. Married couples who are unable to conceive could be given amulets, which can help the woman to get pregnant.
History
Among ancient cultures such as the Egyptians, Assyrians, Babylonians, Arabs, and Hebrews great importance was placed on the use of amulets. The Egyptians employed them everywhere:
- The frog protected fertility; ankhs symbolized everlasting life and generation;
- the udjat, or eye, was for good health, comfort, and protection against evil;
- the scarab beetle was for resurrection after death and protection against evil magic.
- One of the most notable amulets of ancient Egypt is the Eye of Horus.
Cylinder seals were used as amulets by the Assyrians and Babylonians. Within them were embedded semiprecious and precious stones; each stone supposedly possessed its own unique magical powers. There were various animal shaped amulets; such as, the ram for virility; and the bull for virility and strength.
The Arabs, too, had amulets protecting them against evil. Small sacks containing dust from tombs were worn. They also wore pieces of paper on which were written prayers, spells, magical names or the powerful attributes of God such as “the compassionate” and “the forgiver.”
The Hebrews wore crescent moons to ward off the evil eye and they attached bells to their garments to ward off evil spirits.
In Africa the natives were discovered having amulets too which the Western explorers and missionaries called fetishes. The fetish symbolized protection to the natives.
Historically the two most universal symbols of amulets have been the eye and the phallic symbols. Eyes are thought to protect against evil spirits and are found on tombs, walls, utensils, and jewelry. The phallic symbol, represented by horns and hands, is protection against the evil eye.
The names of God and magical words and numbers have generally been thought to provide protection and fashioned into amulets. These methods of gaining protection extend back to antiquity and were extremely popular during the Renaissance to the early 19th century.
Accompanying these were the grimoires, books of magical instruction written for and by magicians. In magic, using the name of a deity is the same as drawing down divine power. This is the reason why portions of grimoires resemble prayer books.
The Tetragrammation, the Hebrew personal name for God- -YHWH and pronounced Yahweh”- – , is believed to be very powerful in magic operations and has been fashioned into amulets by different spellings. It is believed to help magicians in conjuring up demons and give him protections from negative spirits.
The SATOR square (see Magic Squares) has also been fashioned into amulets. Throughout the centuries attempts have been made to decipher the squire but it still remains unintelligible. It was discovered on walls and vassals of ancient Rome. In amulet form it is considered to be protection against sorcery, poisonous air, colic, pestilence, and for protecting cow’s milk against witchcraft.
Most all cultures hold the belief that sacred religious books such as the Koran, Torah, and Bible possess protective powers. Bits of parchment containing quotes from these books are carried in leather pouches, silver boxes, or like containers as amulets. Ancient pagans wore figurines of their gods as amulets.
The remnant of this custom is still seen in the Catholic religion where some members still wear scapulars and medals of the saints.
Prehistoric amulets
Archaeological research has shown that these amulets took various shapes in prehistorically periods, some of which were crystalline solids, teeth, claws, and shells. Some of these amulets dated as far back as 25,000 b.c. They could be engraved with various symbols or have small holes bored into them, which indicate that some of the amulets were worn as necklaces.
The Egyptians too were not left behind in the use of amulet in ancient times. Many amulets were discovered by archaeologists in Egypt and some dated as far back as 1370 b.c. Amulets in Egypt were worn inform of jewellery, With jewels and gems attached to them; these attachments do not, however, water down the potency and belief in the amulets.
Aside from being used as for protection, the Egyptians also used the amulets for personal adornments. The amulets were believed to have religious and mystical powers.
Contemporary amulets
Many ancient amulets have animals engraved into them. Even the modern types also have animals engraved in them; one of the most recent amulets have rabbit foot engraved in it. An amulet being rabbit foot can bring good luck when rubbed.
The wishbone gotten from the breast of a bird is also used as an amulet in recent times. It is even believed that holding the larger half when the wishbone is broken while two people are holding it will bring your wishes to past if you hold the larger broken part.
Even today, this practice is done in the united states during Thanksgiving Day dinners. Instead of using bird’s wishbones or rabbit foot, many amulet makers now make available the metal forms of these objects. These metals forms are as popular as the original thing in contemporary times.
Many of the amulets being used today are in the form of crystals. Some are also worn in the form of pieces of jewellery, which does not reduce the belief that they have mystical powers.
The religious perspective
Many amulets in the past and present have strong religious significance. Many of the ancient Jewish people would wear amulets containing slips of parchments containing the laws of God around their necks. The amulets can also contain extracts from the Torah, which represents the first five books of the Old Testament.
The Torah is also part of the Koran of the Muslims, Vesdas of the Hindu and Avestar of the Zoroastrians. Aside from drawing them closer to God, the Torah extracts in the amulets are also believed to ward off evil. And bring good luck.
Muslims also wear amulets around their neck bearing inscriptions of the name of Allah. The amulets are also believed to ward off evil. The amulet worn by Muslims can also contain miniature of the Koran, about a square-inch in width, enclosed in a metal locket and worn around the neck. They believe the amulet gives them power.
Christians too are not left behind in the use of amulet. The Christian amulet can take various forms. At times, it can be in the form of a cross to which a string is tied. It can be worn around the neck or the wrist. The Catholic Church uses the rosary and scapula, both of which can be worn around the neck. They are symbols of divine protection and purity.
As hinted earlier, amulets can bring good luck and protection. Once you wear any of the amulets made for the good luck, you will find yourself being successful in everything you do; you will also encounter good luck everywhere you go.
Amulets can render you fortunate and also bring luck, positivity, good vibes and prosperity. The amulets contain magical power no doubt. Many of the good luck pendants have been tested and shown to work as desired.
Jewelry
Many pagans and witches presently wear jewelry fashioned in amuletic designs with their protective purpose in mind.
How to buy original amulet
Not all the good luck amulets being sold around today can have the desired effect. You can, however, get a good quality amulet if you buy only from an approved outlet. Before you buy an amulet from any outlet, take some time to read reviews about that outlet and only buy from them if the reviews are positive. One of the benefits of buying an amulet from an online outlet is that you can easily read reviews about the outlet before buying from them; this may not be possible with brick and mortar outlets.
Genuine amulets are usually made in small quantity. Such an amulet would have been blessed after making it. The price of genuine amulets usually rises with time, the same way the price of vintage cars rises.
You should think twice about buying that amulet if it is cheap; cheap amulets are rarely original, and they rarely have the expected effects.
Consider how long the outlet had been selling amulets before you buy from there. The long-standing outlets can be trusted to deliver original amulets that will bring good luck and confer protection on the wearer. One other reliable place where you can get original amulet is at temples. Like Thai temples and the likes. Monks and priests are responsible for selling the amulets in these temples; as a result, such amulets can be trusted for originality.
You may have to rent the amulet instead of buying, as the priests or monks may not be disposed to selling them to you. Just tell them what you want to use the outlet for, and these monks will provide you with the right one that will meet your purpose.
Be that as it may, you should keep in mind that the age of the amulet can determine its cost; same for its origin. Instead of buying amulet for personal protection and good luck, you can also buy it and resell; original amulet is a big business, and you can make some cool money by buying and reselling it.
See also Taliman Definition Article
A.G.H.