3 Functions Conclusion UAI

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SM Conclusion UAI

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The 5 Shembe men UAI

 

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Ta'wiz UAI

 

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St.Benedict Medal UAI

 

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Mangalsutra UAI

 

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Thai Buddhist UAI

 

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Greco-Roman UAI

 

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Omamori UAI

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Wedjat Eye UAI

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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.

Ancient European(Greco-Roman) Amulet:

 The embossed decoration on the gold medallion features a focal image of the evil eye surrounded by various animals such as a scorpion, elephant, dog, and a bird. The animals are shown attacking the evil eye. In Greco-Roman ancient times, such as amulets were thought to provide protection. Both men and women wore the amulets as a hope of attracting good fortune and prevent injuries and illnesses, which are seen because of evil effect. 

Gold Amulet Pendant 

A Gold Amulet pendant that is made out of gold, pearls and an amethyst. 

 

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.
  
  

Historical Indian(Buddhism) Amulet

This is a Thai Buddha Amulet that was given as gifts and then as a tool, to enhance luck in different aspects in life. Local people use amulets to improve their marriage, wealth, health, love and relationships. Amulets made using the Buddha image, an image of the famous monk, or even an image of the monk who made the amulets. Vary in size, shape and materials such as plaster, bone, wood or metal. Amulet not only depends on its appearance, but also on its scarcity, its maker, its age, and its divine powers.

Thai Buddha Amulet 

Ancient Thai Buddha Amulet vary in size, shape and materials such as plaster, bone, wood or metal,with a high relief Buddha image.

Ancient Egyptian Amulet

The Wedjat Eye Amulet  is seen as the popular amulet in Ancient Egypt. It Represents the healed eye of the God Horus. Wedjat means "the one that is sound". It Embodies healing powers and symbolizes rebirth. Used by the living and dead. The combination of the human and falcon eye is since Horus was often associated with a falcon. In that shape was thought to protect the wearer and to transfer the power of regeneration onto him or her. 

Wedjat Eye Amulet

Wedjat Eye Amulet that Depicts a combination of a human and a falcon eye and is made out of faience.

Spiritual Mediation Draft

Introduction 

The topics to be discussed about spiritual mediation are historical and contemporary amulets for diverse cultures. The historical amulets to be discussed on the Egyptian, Asian (Japanese), European (Greek) and Indian (Buddhism). The Contemporary aspect will be on the Indian (Hinduism), Christian (Catholic), African (Shembe) and Indian (Muslim).  

Spiritual Mediation

 "According to the information that was obtained, jewelry is connected with the intangible and numinous. Amulets and talismans offer magical power and protection to the wearer and are often made portable. The jewelry object is a condensed symbol for an entire cosmology, summarizing the relationship between God and person. It is a reminder of faith and the promise of security and salvation", according to Bruce Metcalf. 

Introduction to Historical Amulets 

Amulets can repel bad energy, whereas talismans are manufactured items. The historical amulets to be discussed on the Egyptian, Asian (Japanese), European (Greek) and Indian (Buddhism). 

Ancient Egyptian

• Wedjat Eye Amulet is a popular amulet in Ancient Egypt. 

Asian(Japanese)

• Omamori is a pouch that is carried with the individual to protect and is believed to ward off bad luck and gain good luck  

European(Greek)

• The amulet was believed to have magical properties and acted as a spell to protect against evil, while in early Christian times it was used as a secret code to identify each other.  

Indian(Buddhism)

• Thai Buddha amulet. 

Thai Buddha Amulet

Introduction to Contemporary Amulets

The Contemporary aspect will be on the Indian (Hinduism), Christian (Catholic), African (Shembe) and Indian (Muslim).  

Indian(Hinduism)

• The mangalsutra bracelet.

Mangalsutra Bracelet 

Christian(Catholic)

• St. Benedict Medal

Indian(Muslim)

• Their amulet is the Ayat UL Kusi as they find wearing an amulet is disrespect towards their God for not believing the God will bless them. 

Zulu(Shembe)

• Photo of Shembe, there are 5 now as it is seen that when one passes another is elected to represent the Shembe. 
• He is seen protecting them.  

  

Conclusion  

The Historical and contemporary amulets appearances and meanings are seen to modernize as the years go by as seen the generational growing of today's world. 

Historical Omamori: Japanese Amulet

Omamori,which translates as amulet, is derived from the Japanese term Mamoru, which means "to protect." Prayers are written on paper and put within little pouch brocaded bags. The owner of an omamori should keep it with them at all times to ward off bad luck and bring in good luck. Every person and circumstances are protected by an omamori. Japanese have always believed in amulets of one kind or another, but the modern printed charms are now given out by shrines and temples first became popular, the practice of a person wearing miniature charms is also new.  

Ancient Omamori Amulet

The amulet is a bag that is typically rectangular in shape with a paper inside the pouch and has a short strap for attaching to your personal stuff.

Amulet Vs Talisman

Talismans are used to attract prosperity, while amulets give protection from harm. Amulets are said to have the ability to repel bad energy, whereas talismans are man-made items. Talismans came from the Greek telesma, whereas amulets came from the Latin amuletum.

Gold Pendant Amulet 

Historical Amulet:The embossed ornamentation on this gold medallion has a central image of the evil eye surrounded by various animals: a scorpion, a dog, an elephant, and a bird. These animals are seen battling the evil eye. Such amulets were supposed to have protective properties.

Talisman

Historical Talisman of Charlemagne, Musée du Palais du Tau, Rheims, illustrating cross-shaped wood pieces under the center gemstone It was used to cure or protect a senior individual.