Particularly,the Middle Eastern jewelries are associated with many magical forces and talismans. Both Islamic and Jewish communities use their jewelry pieces as amulets. The silver jewels have been a part of any dowry in places like the Arabian Peninsula, as well as the Antique Mediterranean Coral. The use of talismans has been passed from generation to generation. A good example is a talisman which is used for the elderly, women, children and babies. You can also see that in Middle East countries, their kids are used to wear beads, chains, bells, mother pearl and other jewelries to ensure that they will always be safe from possible harm. Thus, this serves as provider of good luck to the wearer against bad spirits.
In the past, when a woman was about to get married, she wore the Gargush (hoodie) with matching amulet in triangle shape with matching red coral decoration. This was worn in the belief that woman’s femininity would be protected. Aside from that, most Middle Eastern jewelries are also worn for the protection of the evil eye as well as other misfortunes. Moreover, these kinds of lucky charms are also used to provide someone with good health as well as fertility.
There are traditional amulets like the kutub (amulet cases). In most cases, the kutub is filled with parchments that are handwritten. The ancient Muslims are usually filled this up with Koran’s Soras. These are usually written in Arabic words. These also come with wishes paired with corresponding prayers.
Usually, Jewish filled kutubs with biblical paragraphs. These paragraphs come together with prayers as well as Cabalistic Hebrew formula. Way back before, kutub us used in order to protect an individual in certain fear. You can normally see kutubs as part of some Yemeni antique necklaces, exquisitely mixed with dugag beads,antique Mediterranean red coral and amber beads.
Jewish and Muslims are known for sharing universal amulets as well as bracelets having snake heads. The use of these kinds of accessories is noted way back in the ancient Yemen. The use of these amulets with snake head designs are believed to provide protection from snakebites. Aside from that, some people are using this kind if amulet to promote the health of an individual.
The entire Middle Eastern Jewelry are considered as amuletic and there are huge motifs used. You have wide range of assortments from Hirz designs, Hamzas or Fatima Hand, vegetal representations, religious symbols, kutubs. The jewellery was part of the communication in the society, as they showed marital status, tribe, religious beliefs and other representations depending from the heritage.
Countless designs are also offered now from variety of internet and land based sources. One important tip when choosing antique Yemeni jewels is that you have to know first its meaning and origin of the piece. This is to ensure that you have the right and accurate information about your piece.
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