Posts Tagged ‘Religious Faith’
The Fascinating History of Jewelry
Roberto Sedycias asked:
Man has always loved to be adorned with jewels. This led to jewelry developing as an industry. Jewelry is an ornament, for personal adornment. The word jewelry is an anglicized form of the Latin word, jocale which means plaything history says that about 40,000 years back, the first jewelry was worn by the Cro-Magnons, ancestors of Homo sapiens. Their jewelry included crude necklaces and bracelets made of bone, teeth and stone stitched to animal sinew. Recently excavated 100,000 year-old beads, made from Nassarius shells, are considered to be the oldest known jewelry.
Jewelry, earlier, was made for practical uses such as pinning of clothes together. Nowadays it is used not only for decoration but is also considered as a status symbol. There are different types of jewelry made today. New variations like art jewelry is known for its artistic ingenuity. Art here is valued more than the material. Inexpensive costume jewelry, made from inferior materials and the wire sculpture, made from either base metal wire and stones or precious metals and gemstones, are the other contemporary jewelry of present times.
Many pieces of jewelry, such as brooches were originally made for functional purposes are also symbolic. The Christian Cross or the Jewish Star is indicative of the religious faith that one follows. Married couples sport wedding rings.
In Ancient Egypt jewelry was first made around 3,000 to 5,000 years back. The Egyptians adored the shine, rarity, and workability of gold. The Egyptians had accumulated abundant gold from the deserts of Africa and later acquired more as tributes from captured kingdoms. In Egypt, jewelry soon symbolized power. The affluent class wore it not only in their lifetime but also after death, those were buried with them.
In Mesopotamia, jewelry was manufactured from metal inlaid with bright-coloured stones like agate, lapis, carnelian, and jasper. Their favourite shapes were leaves, spirals, cones, and bunches of grapes. It was created both to adorn humans and statues.
In Greece most of the jewelry was made of gold, silver, ivory, gems, bronze and clay. Later they adopted Asian designs following Alexander`s conquests. Initially influenced by European designs, the advent of the Roman rule in Greece, by 27 BC, brought significant changes.
Though influenced by Roman culture indigenous designs survived. The most common ornament of ancient Rome was the brooch, used to secure their flowing clothes together. They used gold, bronze, bone, glass beads and pearl. About 2,000 years back, they imported sapphires from Sri Lankan and diamonds from India. Emeralds and amber were used too.
The Italians earlier created clasps, necklaces, earrings and bracelets from crude gold. Even large pendants to store perfume were made. Known as the eastern successor of the Romans, the Byzantine Empire continued the Roman tradition though religious symbols became predominant. The people of Byzantine preferred light gold ornaments richly inlaid with gems. jewelry was mainly worn by wealthy ladies while men restricted themselves to a signet ring.
India has the longest continuous tradition of jewelry making. Around 1,500 BC the Indus Valley people made their earrings and necklaces of gold, beads other metals. Womenfolk wore clay and shell bracelets, usually painted black and loved tiaras, chokers, brooches and ear rings .Gradually, clay was replaced by glass and metals.
Jewelry had various functions to serve. Its main purpose, in ancient times, was to ward off evil. People have paid dowries with jewelry. It was also created to be used as currency for trading goods, evident from the use of slave beads. It also was a distinguishing mark between the ruler and the ruled. Asset value is still a consideration today.
Man has always loved to be adorned with jewels. This led to jewelry developing as an industry. Jewelry is an ornament, for personal adornment. The word jewelry is an anglicized form of the Latin word, jocale which means plaything history says that about 40,000 years back, the first jewelry was worn by the Cro-Magnons, ancestors of Homo sapiens. Their jewelry included crude necklaces and bracelets made of bone, teeth and stone stitched to animal sinew. Recently excavated 100,000 year-old beads, made from Nassarius shells, are considered to be the oldest known jewelry.
Jewelry, earlier, was made for practical uses such as pinning of clothes together. Nowadays it is used not only for decoration but is also considered as a status symbol. There are different types of jewelry made today. New variations like art jewelry is known for its artistic ingenuity. Art here is valued more than the material. Inexpensive costume jewelry, made from inferior materials and the wire sculpture, made from either base metal wire and stones or precious metals and gemstones, are the other contemporary jewelry of present times.
Many pieces of jewelry, such as brooches were originally made for functional purposes are also symbolic. The Christian Cross or the Jewish Star is indicative of the religious faith that one follows. Married couples sport wedding rings.
In Ancient Egypt jewelry was first made around 3,000 to 5,000 years back. The Egyptians adored the shine, rarity, and workability of gold. The Egyptians had accumulated abundant gold from the deserts of Africa and later acquired more as tributes from captured kingdoms. In Egypt, jewelry soon symbolized power. The affluent class wore it not only in their lifetime but also after death, those were buried with them.
In Mesopotamia, jewelry was manufactured from metal inlaid with bright-coloured stones like agate, lapis, carnelian, and jasper. Their favourite shapes were leaves, spirals, cones, and bunches of grapes. It was created both to adorn humans and statues.
In Greece most of the jewelry was made of gold, silver, ivory, gems, bronze and clay. Later they adopted Asian designs following Alexander`s conquests. Initially influenced by European designs, the advent of the Roman rule in Greece, by 27 BC, brought significant changes.
Though influenced by Roman culture indigenous designs survived. The most common ornament of ancient Rome was the brooch, used to secure their flowing clothes together. They used gold, bronze, bone, glass beads and pearl. About 2,000 years back, they imported sapphires from Sri Lankan and diamonds from India. Emeralds and amber were used too.
The Italians earlier created clasps, necklaces, earrings and bracelets from crude gold. Even large pendants to store perfume were made. Known as the eastern successor of the Romans, the Byzantine Empire continued the Roman tradition though religious symbols became predominant. The people of Byzantine preferred light gold ornaments richly inlaid with gems. jewelry was mainly worn by wealthy ladies while men restricted themselves to a signet ring.
India has the longest continuous tradition of jewelry making. Around 1,500 BC the Indus Valley people made their earrings and necklaces of gold, beads other metals. Womenfolk wore clay and shell bracelets, usually painted black and loved tiaras, chokers, brooches and ear rings .Gradually, clay was replaced by glass and metals.
Jewelry had various functions to serve. Its main purpose, in ancient times, was to ward off evil. People have paid dowries with jewelry. It was also created to be used as currency for trading goods, evident from the use of slave beads. It also was a distinguishing mark between the ruler and the ruled. Asset value is still a consideration today.
The Uniqueness of Jewish Jewelry
Odelya Natan asked:
The Jewish culture has a long ancient history that dates thousands of years ago. Throughout time, the Jewish people have been scattered all around the world, absorbing various cultures of Eastern and Western societies. However, the core of the Jewish culture has been preserved and managed to survive through turbulent times.
Jewish religious articles and symbols have played an important role in maintaining the bond between Jewish communities from all around the world. Today Judaica art gives an expression to these common motifs that have sustained the collective unity of the Jewish people. One such example is the Star of David. Within the field of Judaica art, Jewish jewelry draws a wide audience who is fascinated with the original ways in which Jewish jewelry incorporates Jewish symbols and styles.
So what makes the Jewish jewelry so unique? Throughout history, the Jewish Diaspora has been exposed to diverse cultures. At the same time, prominent motifs in Jewish culture have been well preserved. Today we can find these multiple influences come to life in Judaica artworks with new interpretations. Contemporary Jewelry designers combine modern elements with ancient motifs to create pieces that express collective identity and religious faith. Judaica designers also celebrate the love of the Jewish people for the aesthetics by adding a dimension of their own creativity and imagination. The mix of elements results in unusual designs with symbolic significance that bring together the old and the new, Eastern and Western.
Jewish jewelry has enjoyed a growing popularity in the last few decades. Many people, including non-Jews, are drawn to this type of jewelry for its beauty and what it represents. In addition to its aesthetics, jewish jewelry carries a feel of something ancient and sacred. Many Jewish women and wear Jewish jewelry as a way of expressing their identification with Judaism and solidarity with Jewish nation and culture. The Star of David pendant or necklace is a great example. Wearing the Star of David is a common expression of faith, as well as it demonstrates the bond with the state of Israel as it decorates its national flag.
The Star of David is one of the several prominent symbols in Jewish tradition that are believed to protect the people who wear them on their hands and around their necks. Jewish people also believe that wearing a red string around the wrist wards off evil. The Book of Psalms, one of the most sacred texts in Judaism, is also a common motif in Jewish jewelry. Like other protective amulets, the Book of Psalms is believed to protect the ones carrying it.
Miniature versions of the Book of Psalms or quotations from the sacred text decorate many Jewish jewelry and other Judaica items. Today, Star of David pendants or Book of Psalms pendants make popular gifts for Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah. Hamsa jewelry is also given as a romantic gift between two lovers, as a way of showing someone you care for them and their safety.
The Hamsa hand is an excellent example of a symbol that the Jewish culture has absorbed that it is not derived from religious or biblical sources. The Hamsa hand has become a popular motif that decorates an array of Judiaca designs.
In addition to Hamsa designs, many jewelry items are inscribed with Hebrew words, letters or symbols with Kabbalist meanings, generally known as Kabbalah jewelry. Kabbalah is a Jewish school of thought concerned with the mystical aspect of Judaism. Kabbalah discusses the inner meaning of religious Jewish texts. The combination of the three Hebrew letters ‘Alef-Lamed-Dalet’, for example, spells out one of God’s sacred names and can be found on many pendants, rings and bracelets. There are many symbols in the Kabbalah amulets that are believed to bring good energies. In recent year Kabbalah jewelry has become wide spread with the growing interest of people, Jews and non-Jews, in spirituality.
The fact that the Diaspora Jews were constantly prosecuted for generations in the last centuries, reaching its peak during World War Two has also influenced the growth and development of the field of Jewish jewelry. In Post World War Two, many proud Jewish people have felt a need to show a sign of identification with their nation. The Star of David that was negatively used by the ***** during World War Two has turned even more sharply into a sign of collective pride.
Large audiences are drawn to the spiritual aspects of symbolic jewelry. Judaica artists, in response to the growing demand, aspire to design jewelry that includes traditional motifs with an appropriate meaning. Today’s artifacts are inspired by old models of Jewish tradition with a modern twist. People enjoy wearing symbolic jewelry because they carry meaning and a touch of holiness. As these can be found in so many designs and styles, no wonder Jewish jewelry is so popular in so many places around the wor
The Jewish culture has a long ancient history that dates thousands of years ago. Throughout time, the Jewish people have been scattered all around the world, absorbing various cultures of Eastern and Western societies. However, the core of the Jewish culture has been preserved and managed to survive through turbulent times.
Jewish religious articles and symbols have played an important role in maintaining the bond between Jewish communities from all around the world. Today Judaica art gives an expression to these common motifs that have sustained the collective unity of the Jewish people. One such example is the Star of David. Within the field of Judaica art, Jewish jewelry draws a wide audience who is fascinated with the original ways in which Jewish jewelry incorporates Jewish symbols and styles.
So what makes the Jewish jewelry so unique? Throughout history, the Jewish Diaspora has been exposed to diverse cultures. At the same time, prominent motifs in Jewish culture have been well preserved. Today we can find these multiple influences come to life in Judaica artworks with new interpretations. Contemporary Jewelry designers combine modern elements with ancient motifs to create pieces that express collective identity and religious faith. Judaica designers also celebrate the love of the Jewish people for the aesthetics by adding a dimension of their own creativity and imagination. The mix of elements results in unusual designs with symbolic significance that bring together the old and the new, Eastern and Western.
Jewish jewelry has enjoyed a growing popularity in the last few decades. Many people, including non-Jews, are drawn to this type of jewelry for its beauty and what it represents. In addition to its aesthetics, jewish jewelry carries a feel of something ancient and sacred. Many Jewish women and wear Jewish jewelry as a way of expressing their identification with Judaism and solidarity with Jewish nation and culture. The Star of David pendant or necklace is a great example. Wearing the Star of David is a common expression of faith, as well as it demonstrates the bond with the state of Israel as it decorates its national flag.
The Star of David is one of the several prominent symbols in Jewish tradition that are believed to protect the people who wear them on their hands and around their necks. Jewish people also believe that wearing a red string around the wrist wards off evil. The Book of Psalms, one of the most sacred texts in Judaism, is also a common motif in Jewish jewelry. Like other protective amulets, the Book of Psalms is believed to protect the ones carrying it.
Miniature versions of the Book of Psalms or quotations from the sacred text decorate many Jewish jewelry and other Judaica items. Today, Star of David pendants or Book of Psalms pendants make popular gifts for Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah. Hamsa jewelry is also given as a romantic gift between two lovers, as a way of showing someone you care for them and their safety.
The Hamsa hand is an excellent example of a symbol that the Jewish culture has absorbed that it is not derived from religious or biblical sources. The Hamsa hand has become a popular motif that decorates an array of Judiaca designs.
In addition to Hamsa designs, many jewelry items are inscribed with Hebrew words, letters or symbols with Kabbalist meanings, generally known as Kabbalah jewelry. Kabbalah is a Jewish school of thought concerned with the mystical aspect of Judaism. Kabbalah discusses the inner meaning of religious Jewish texts. The combination of the three Hebrew letters ‘Alef-Lamed-Dalet’, for example, spells out one of God’s sacred names and can be found on many pendants, rings and bracelets. There are many symbols in the Kabbalah amulets that are believed to bring good energies. In recent year Kabbalah jewelry has become wide spread with the growing interest of people, Jews and non-Jews, in spirituality.
The fact that the Diaspora Jews were constantly prosecuted for generations in the last centuries, reaching its peak during World War Two has also influenced the growth and development of the field of Jewish jewelry. In Post World War Two, many proud Jewish people have felt a need to show a sign of identification with their nation. The Star of David that was negatively used by the ***** during World War Two has turned even more sharply into a sign of collective pride.
Large audiences are drawn to the spiritual aspects of symbolic jewelry. Judaica artists, in response to the growing demand, aspire to design jewelry that includes traditional motifs with an appropriate meaning. Today’s artifacts are inspired by old models of Jewish tradition with a modern twist. People enjoy wearing symbolic jewelry because they carry meaning and a touch of holiness. As these can be found in so many designs and styles, no wonder Jewish jewelry is so popular in so many places around the wor