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