Aum pendant(Hinduism)

 

Aum pendant 

"Aum," also known as "Om," is a sacred symbol often depicted as the numeral "3" adorned with a curved line resembling a tail, extending from its center on the reverse side of the "3." This tail brings to an end in a moon-shaped curve, crowned by a dot positioned above the numeral 3. The Om pendant visually embodies the insight concept of Aum, encapsulating the infinite Brahman and the essence of the universe. This emblem holds great significance within Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Jainism, acting as a unifying emblem across these diverse spiritual traditions. Furthermore, it is integral to numerous mantras, enhancing its spiritual resonance and applicability.

Snake Jewellery

 

Contemporary snake jewellery

Snake jewellery showcases a serpent coiled in a circle, symbolizing the cycle of life embracing endings and beginnings. Wearing such jewellery conveys power, royalty, and a intense connection to personal transformation. Additionally, snake fashion jewellery embodies fertility, representing the birth of new life, innovative ideas, and fresh journeys. This symbolism finds its roots in Ancient Egyptian culture, where cobras adorned temples and tombs, expressing loyalty and the divine.

Promise Ring

 

 A Female promise ring

A symbol of commitment between couples deeply in love but not yet ready for marriage, promise rings have a history dating back to the 16th century, though their popularity surged in the 20th century. Unlike elaborate engagement and wedding rings, promise rings feature a simple design on a plain band. In the present day, these rings still embody love and devotion, often worn on any finger, with the right-hand ring finger being a common choice.

Rappers Chain

 

Rick Ross(Rapper)

Thick curb-link chain with diamonds and rubies set, mother and child pendant.

Rappers often gain respect through expensive chains, symbolic of their elevated social standing. The size and demonstration of these chains correlate with the rapper's wealth, reflecting their status. These pieces not only signify personal achievements but also embody the journey, obstacles, and sacrifices overcome to attain this position. While the pursuit of affluence presents challenges, it's an integral part of rap culture, serving as a wellspring of inspiration, motivation, and empowerment.

Contemporary Mangalsutra/Design

 

Hindi Soapie couple (Bhagya Lakshmi)

Modern brides often change traditional designs to match their contemporary wardrobes and lifestyles. Diverse viewpoints exist regarding their symbolism. Some object from wearing a mangal sutra, interpreting it as a sign of overpower. Brides now not only harmonize their marital representation but also synchronize it with their personal lifestyles.

contemporary Mangal sutra 

The designs now adorned are found with trendy heart motifs and timeless infinity symbols, they elegantly combine traditional elements with contemporary fashion. Considerable for stackable bracelets and delicate chains allows for the compatibility of tradition and modern style, granting the opportunity to express individuality while honoring the Mangal sutra's enduring legacy.

Whether favoring tradition or customization, this treasured symbol holds deep significance, to express the eternal bond of marriage.

Beaded Flower Chain and Inspiration

contemporary Indian Jewellery

This is a gold contemporary Indian jewellery, this image is used as inspiration for my next piece of jewellery taken from @vjjewellery(an Instagram account). Inspired by how the chain is patterned and the bars used to hold half the chain intact, the motif is supported with links holding another design linking to the motif and the chain starting from the bars attached to the smaller motif. 

Beaded Chain

Contemporary Indian jewellery that has a beaded chain attached to the rose gold pendant together with the bar being a designed bar holding the three stands of chain together.

Beaded flower chain

A beaded flower chain is in the process for my lotus pendant neckpiece. The choice of beads is black and gold used for the flower design. It was quite tricky with getting the flowers to look exactly like each other some would be hanging off the string or some would be off shape due to the needle going through the wrong bead. The watched a tutorial video to make my beaded flower chains.

Mangalsutra at a wedding ceremony

The mangal sutra is a wedding chain that the groom places on his bride during the wedding ceremony. This image is of a famous Bollywood actress and actor, Kratika Sengar and Nikitin Dheer's wedding ceremony.

The Mangalsutra

The mangal sutra is the wedding chain that symbolizes a married woman and eternal love. The colours that were used for the beaded flowers were inspired by the mangal sutra bead colours black and gold. 

 

Contemporary African(Shembe) Amulet

 The Shembe have 5 men that are represented on a sticker or framed photo that are kept in one's house, car or even in a wallet. The men seen are called 'Shembe' are believed to protect the Shembe people. When they encounter a situation, they call out the name 'Shembe' and it in a way protects you. It first started with just one Shembe but when the founder had passed away the next generation is elected to represent the Shembe. They do not believe in idols to be used as an amulet. The Shembe comes in the form of a sticker only given by a Shembe person. The stickers are now customized with different sayings on them and can also be minimized into pendant sizes to be worn on the body.

 

 

Shembe's sticker on my Shembe neighbor's door is used for protection.

Contemporary Christian(Catholic) Amulet

A well-known amulet associated with Benedictine spirituality present in Christianity of the Catholic. The medal represents a prayer on the part of the user to invoke God's blessing and protection through the intercession of St. Benedict. There are no special rules prescribed for its use. It may be worn on a chain around the neck, carried on one's person, placed in one's vehicle, home, or in one's place of business.The meaning behind the amulet is that it is exclusively to ward off evil spirits and it stands for the power of prayer in times of temptation and suffering. The back of the medal has a cross, with abbreviations that signified different meanings.

St.Benedict Medal

A Pendant with St.Benedict engraved holding the cross and his rule, the back of the medal has a cross ,made in silver.

Contemporary Indian(Hindu) Amulet

The mangalsutra bracelet used for newborn babies are given to help protect newborns from evil spirits and evil eyes. Generally worn on the right hand. Bracelet passed on through generations of one's family and considered a token of heritage. It is believed that the black beads represent the "evil eye" whereas the gold beads represent future luxury and good luck. 

Managalsutra Bracelet

Historically made with gold and black beads, the centre piece of the mangalsutra bracelet is now seen with a golden engraved ball.

Contemporary Islamic Amulet

 Tawiz: 

• Amulet worn for good luck and protection to ward off evil eyes. 
• However such amulets contain hieroglyphic signs or other written things indicating magical practices. 
• Moreover, superstitious belief prohibited by the Prophet Muhammad as the doer commits the act of shirks.
• May be a pendant, carvings on metal or even framed duas.

  

  Tawiz

  
  Neckpiece, Black pouch contains a paper with duas(Islamic prayers towards their God) written on them. 
  
  

  

  Contemporary Tawiz

  
  

  Contemporary Tawiz in gold, with dua engraved onto the pendant. 

  
  
• Although in Muslim don't believe in keeping things as protection because it is said that they think God isn't keeping them safe.
• Some people wear a necklace with Ayat ul Kusi on it. Which is a Verse, prayer they use to ask God to keep them safe.

  

  Ayat Ul Kusi

  Pendant, Contemporary Ayat Ul Kusi made out of rose gold with a Verse from the quran.