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