Talismans and amulets: an enduring tradition of meaningful jewelry

What are talismans and amulets?
In his article "Dragons as Amulets, Dragons as Talismans, Dragons as Counselors", Professor Robert G. Stevens provides a very effective description of what a talisman is and what it imparts to its wearer: "A talisman is an object that wields an influence on good luck for the one who owns it. " He further explains: "It transforms the person who supports it so that it can perform great feats." Comparatively, he describes amulets as objects believed to protect and ward off evil or harm. These two purposes are so close that it is not uncommon for the distinction between talismans and amulets to be blurred so that the two terms are used interchangeably.

A talisman or พระเครื่อง can take many forms, but the most common are the pendants or amulets that are worn on the body. They can also be made from many different materials, and in most cases the material they are made from contributes to their desired potency. If an item is made of wood, the type of wood chosen is important, if it is made of metal, then the type of metal dictates the effect the object will have, in the same way if stones are included, then its color is symbolic and influential. . Other examples include common objects that have an unusual malformation (four-leaf clovers), animal parts or animal carvings, relics of religious icons, and relics that were once the property of ancestors. Ultimately, the power of a meaningful piece of jewelry is determined by the social, spiritual, and emotional relevance an object acquires as dictated by the culture the individual inhabits and the individual's personal experience surrounding the object.

Talismans and war
Historically, it has been nothing unusual for warriors to wear talismanic items into battle. When an individual faces the threat of probable death or other trauma, it is human nature to seek protection and a means of reinforcing the inner will to counter anxiety. In a 2003 Washington Post article, it was predicted that more than 50 percent of soldiers will take something of importance with them when they are deployed. These objects take the form of pendants that can be worn safely on the body, but they can also be religious books, letters, photos, or even dog tags that belong to a military relative. Religious affections are almost universal talismans worn by soldiers, as exemplified by the carved pendants of Buddha given to the military in Thailand, the Qur'anic scriptures carried by Muslims, and the medallions depicting Catholic saints worn by soldiers in Europe and America. During World War I, many soldiers wore some form of Psalm 91, commonly known as the "Soldier's Psalm," a particular talisman that is still popular with the military as a form of protection. It is also common for a talisman item to be acquired by a soldier's family and presented to the soldier as a direct connection to a relative while away from home.

Talismans and Native American Culture
The talisman jewelry of the Native Americans with their liberal use of animal iconography is quite popular in the Western world. In an age when human impact on the environment has jeopardized our own well-being, many are looking for a way to realign with the natural world. The adoption of animal talismans is one way to achieve this integration. Another reason why people like to adopt these animal icons is because of their symbolic association with particular attributes that users would like to obtain.

Some common motifs in Native American spiritual jewelry include the eagle, stallion, bear, and buffalo. The eagle is often considered the king of birds, a symbol of victory and power; According to the belief of Native Americans, the power of eagles contains the ability to correct the imbalance of bad influences. The North American tribes remain the most frequent bearers of eagle talismans throughout the world, whether for ceremonial garb or for everyday wear. Both the stallion and the buffalo symbolize strength, while the bear symbolizes strength and leadership.