Amulets have been considered a source of power since the ancient days of India. They began as a tool to help aid against evil spirits and thoughts before there was an established religion for people to take faith in. In ancient times, it was believed that evil forces were to blame for all the problems within society and individuals, conversely, it was also believed that good fortune was brought by good spirits that looked upon you favorably. The people of India began to try to both harness and repel these forces using material objects called amulets.
Both the positive and the negative acting amulets could be made by anyone who had the skill to do so, but had to be activated by a special priest or shaman. There were specific ceremonies for each type of amulet to bring forth the power of the particular spirit being harnessed. The amulet was also specifically empowered for the owner who brought it forth to the priest. Once Hinduism arose in India, the numerous gods were worked into the amuletic powers. Pictures or abrstacts of the god whose good grace was needed would be emulated in the metals.
However some amulets, if made out of specific materials, were deemed to have power already within them and did not need activation. For example, when a tiger was slayed, the claws would be immediately removed by whoever had killed it. The claws would then be set into brass or gold and worn by the owner. It was believed that if this was not done, the spirit of the tiger could come back and attack the person who had killed it. But without its claws, the tiger spirit is rendered harmless.
Tiger Claw Amulet Fertility Amulet
http://www.nomadsjourney.com/Jewelry/03.html
The transition in India from the ancient, more folk-lore based society through the subsequent religions (Hinduism and Buddhism) can be easily tracked through the amulets used at the time. In my paper, I will talk about how the beliefs and powers of amulets changed as people needed them less for their old powers and used them more for aid in religious ceremonies and regalia.
For more information go to:
http://www.nomadsjourney.com/Jewelry/03.html (pictures)
or read:
Traditional Jewelry of India by Oppi Untracht
Comments (2)
tovalo@u.washington.edu said
at 1:07 am on Jun 3, 2009
I find it interesting how the amulet came before the gods of the Hindu religion. It is interesting to wonder how they came up with the amulet rather than some other idol. I wonder how much the amulet played into the powers once religion surfaced? Also were their different shapes and what did they stand for?
Lauren Fejarang said
at 9:23 pm on Jun 4, 2009
I thought this topic was super interesting as the amulets helped against bad spirits and so forth. I know in America and probably other western countries, mainstream the "one eye" piece which is supposed to also ward off any bad juju. I have seen that motif in a lot of jewelry around.
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