| Jewelry is a broad term that describes any | | | | reminder of Christ's suffering. Rosary beads |
| ornamental adornment on the body. It includes | | | | are prayer beads that began in the Roman |
| toe rings to tiaras and everything in | | | | Christian world but are now used |
| between. Jewelry has been used in every | | | | predominately by the Catholic Church |
| culture throughout history and in many | | | | (officially accepted by the Catholic Church |
| different ways. While in our culture today | | | | during the rosary approbation in 1520). |
| jewelry serves mostly an aesthetic purpose, | | | | Rosary beads are also used in the Islam and |
| jewelry can serve other functions as well. | | | | Buddhist faith. The Christian fish charm came |
| Jewelry is used to represent social or | | | | about when early Christians would make an |
| official rank, age, marital status, and | | | | acronym with the Greek word for fish, |
| tribal affinity. In addition, jewelry serves | | | | "ichthys," Iesous Christos Theou Yios Soter |
| as emblems of religious, social, and | | | | (Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior). This |
| political affiliation. In fact, one of the | | | | symbol attracted less attention to the |
| very first uses of jewelry was to show | | | | persecuted Christians. The Christian charm |
| religious affiliation. The following are the | | | | remains very popular today. |
| main cultures that began the use of religious | | | | |
| jewelry and the common symbols and uses of | | | | Native American Jewelry |
| their jewelry. | | | | |
| | | | Native American religious jewelry was a |
| Egyptian Religious Jewelry | | | | symbol for nature, played a role in religious |
| | | | ceremonies, and represented status. Natural |
| Religious jewelry in Ancient Egypt was very | | | | materials were used in their jewelry |
| symbolic. Some common symbols in Ancient | | | | including feathers along with minerals such |
| Egyptian religious jewelry include the scarab | | | | as turquoise and metals like silver. These |
| (beetle), lotus, serpent, falcon, and the | | | | natural materials were a reminder of the |
| eye. The scarab is a symbol for good luck and | | | | Earth around them. During healing ceremonies |
| resurrection while the "Eye of the Horus" | | | | and harvest rituals, the people would take |
| represents healing. A common symbol of the | | | | care to wear specific kinds of religious |
| time called the "Ankh" is meant to represent | | | | jewelry that were the right color, made of |
| eternal life. Religious jewelry was | | | | the right materials, and representing the |
| extravagant, consisting of gold and | | | | right symbol for that event. The jewelry that |
| semi-precious stones and were worn by men and | | | | is worn by a person is representative of the |
| women alike. When the Roman Era arrived, | | | | different stages of life an individual has |
| Egyptian religious jewelry was made of | | | | entered into. In several tribes adolescents |
| cheaper materials and more Christian symbols | | | | are initiated into adulthood when they |
| were used. When Islam arrived in Egypt men | | | | receive the spiritual totem consisting of |
| were forbidden to wear gold jewelry. At this | | | | shells, beads, or symbols from nature. Native |
| time silver jewelry became more popular in | | | | American religious jewelry was also given to |
| religious jewelry in Egypt. Religious jewelry | | | | women after there first menses and to newly |
| is still widely used in Egypt, but does not | | | | married couples. Religious jewelry has played |
| have the same extravagance as the Ancient | | | | a significant role in Native American |
| Egyptian religious jewelry. | | | | culture. |
| | | | |
| Roman Christianity and Religious Jewelry | | | | Because our culture today uses jewelry mostly |
| | | | for decorative purposes we often forget the |
| Art and architecture thrived when St. | | | | roots of jewelry and how, to some cultures, |
| Constantine Christianized the Roman Empire. | | | | it can have a deeper spiritual meaning. |
| At this time several popular symbols were | | | | Recognizing the importance of this religious |
| created that are still used in Christian art | | | | jewelry in other cultures allows us to see |
| and jewelry. These symbols include the cross, | | | | the greater symbolic uses that jewelry can be |
| the rosary, and the Christian fish charm. The | | | | used for. |
| cross is a symbol of God's love and a | | | | |