amulet

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noun

A small object worn or kept for its supposed magical power: charm, fetish, juju, periapt, phylactery, talisman. See supernatural.

Amulet inscriptions included the Priestly Blessing (Num. 6:24-26), the Names of God in various permutations, the names given to dozens of angels, and various mystical incantations written either in full or in abbreviation. These inscriptions were often set down on parchment and placed in cases of cylindrical or other shape; otherwise, they were inscribed on disks of silver or other metals, the latter taking the form of jewelry or pendants worn around the neck. Occasionally, the inscription is woven into a popular design or symbol, but sometimes the symbol accompanies the writing. Popular motifs include the Magen David (Star of David), Psalm 67 in the form of a seven-branched Menorah, the hand (ḥamsa in Arabic), squares and rectangles.

Two small cylindrical objects, with a space in the middle through which a string could be threaded, were discovered in 1979 inside a tomb on Ketef Hinnom in Jerusalem. When unrolled, they were found to be silver plaques inscribed with the Priestly Blessing. Dating from the mid-seventh century BCE, these silver scrolls constitute the earliest evidence that metal amulets were used and worn during the First Temple period.

The charm, amulet, or mascot, derives from fetishism, the belief of people that a small object or fetish could contain a spirit. Amulets are said to be of two classes: those which are worn as (1) fetishes, i.e., the dwelling place of spiritual entities who are active on behalf of the wearer; or (2) mascots to ward off bad luck or such influences as the evil eye. The amulet, a protective device, is thus distinguished from a talisman, a magical charm used to accomplish some end.

There is little doubt that charms were worn by prehistoric peoples, because objects similar in appearance and general description to amulets have been discovered in neolithic tombs. The ancient Egyptians possessed a bewildering variety of amulets, worn by both the living and the dead. Indeed, among the latter, every part of the body had an amulet sacred to itself. These were, as a rule, evolved from various organs of the gods; for example, the eye of Isis, the backbone of Osiris, and so forth. Among savage and semicivilized peoples, the amulet usually took the form of necklaces, bracelets, or anklets, and where belief in witchcraft and the evil eye was strong, the faith in these and in charms was always most intense.

Stones, teeth, claws, shells, coral, and symbolic emblems were favored amulets. These item were seen to carry specific characteristics of the animal from which they were taken or to correspond to reality specific to the culture. For example, the desert goat is a sure-footed animal; accordingly, certain Malay tribes carried its tongue as a powerful amulet against falling. Beads resembling teeth were often hung around the necks of Kaffir children in Africa to assist them in teething, and the incisor teeth of the beaver were frequently placed around the necks of Native American girls to promote industriousness.

Certain plants and minerals were believed to indicate by their external character the diseases for which nature intended them as remedies. Thus the euphrasia, or eyebright, was supposed to be good for the eyes because it contains a black pupil-like spot, while the blood-stone was employed for stopping the flow of blood from a wound.

When prehistoric implements, such as arrowheads, were found, they were thought by the peasants of the locality to be of great virtue as amulets. Some light is cast on this custom by the fact that stone arrowheads were in use among medieval British witches. But in most countries they were thought to descend from the sky and were therefore kept to preserve people and cattle from lightning.

Certain roots, which have the shape of snakes, were kept by Malays to protect them against snakebite. This correspondence of root to animal likeness is known as the doctrine of signatures.

The Celts used many kinds of amulets, such as the symbolic wheel of the sun god found frequently in France and Great Britain, pebbles, amulets of the teeth of the wild boar, and pieces of amber. The well-known serpent's egg of the Druids was also probably an amulet of the priests. Indian amulets are numerous, and in Buddhist countries their use was universal, especially where that religion had degenerated. In northern Buddhist countries, it was common to wear an amulet around the neck. These generally represented the leaf of the sacred fig tree and were made in the form of a box that contained a scrap of sacred writing, prayer, or a little picture. Women of position in Tibet wore a chatelaine containing a charm or charms, and the universal amulet of the Tibetan Buddhist priests is the thunderbolt, supposed to have fallen direct from Indra's heaven. This is usually imitated in bronze or other metal and is used for exorcising evil spirits.

Many Muslims wear amulets, and it is said that the prophet Mohammed believed in the evil eye. The Koran is sometimes carried as an amulet, or extracts from it are copied out for that purpose. Suras 113 and 114 are directed against witchcraft. Other powerful charms for amulets include the names and attributes of gods, the names of the suras in the Koran, names of prophets, planets, angels, and magic squares.

Amulets were also widespread among Jewish people, particularly from the seventeenth to the nineteenth centuries. The phylacteries still worn in certain rituals are believed to be a protection against evil. One, derived from the legend of Lilith, bearing the name of three angels, is given to babies to protect them from her. In Jewish folklore, names of God, biblical verses and names of angels were regarded to be powerful amulets. Such amulets have been copied by non-Jewish occultists and used in ritual magic.

With the magical revival of the nineteenth century and the belief in occult powers being directed to various goals by magical practitioners, amulets once again came into widespread use. They were a necessary side effect of the development of talismanic magic, an important part of magical practice featured in the writings of Francis Barrett and Éliphas Lévi. Today, magicians and Wiccans learn the preparation of amulets as part of their basic magical training.

Sources:

Budge, E. A. W. Amulets and Talismans. New Hyde Park, N.Y.: University Books, 1961.

Lippman, Deborah, and Paul Colin. How to Make Amulets, Charms, and Talismans. New York: M. Evans, 1974.

Pavitt, William T., and Kate Pavitt. The Book of Talismans, Amulets, and Zodiacal Gems. Detroit: Gale Research, 1972.

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• Symbolic and Emblematic Attire - amulet: good-luck charm, often a necklace

For other uses, see Amulet (disambiguation).

"Good luck charm" redirects here. For the Elvis Presley song, see Good Luck Charm. For the Jagged Edge song, see Good Luck Charm (Jagged Edge song).

Ancient Egyptian Taweret amulet, New Kingdom, Dynasty XVIII, c. 1539–1292 BC.

An amulet, similar to a talisman (Arabic: طلسم‎ / transliterated: tilasim), is any object intended to bring good luck or protection to its owner. Potential amulets include gems, especially engraved gems, statues, coins, drawings, pendants, rings, plants and animals; even words in the form of a magical spell, incantation, to repel evil or bad luck.

The word "amulet" comes from the Latin amuletum; the earliest extant use of the term is in Pliny's Natural History, meaning "an object that protects a person from trouble".^{[citation needed]}

Contents 1 Talismans in the Abrahamic religions 1.1 Judaism 1.2 Christianity 1.2.1 Crucifix 1.2.2 Medals 1.2.3 Scapulars 1.2.4 Holy water 2 Amulets and ancient Rome 3 Amulets and talismans in folklore 4 See also 5 Notes 6 References

Talismans in the Abrahamic religions

A Crucifix, considered in Christian tradition as a defense against demons, as the holy sign of Christ's victory over every evil.

In antiquity and the Middle Ages, most Jews, Christians and Muslims in the Orient believed in the protective and healing power of amulets or blessed objects. Talismans used by these peoples can be broken down into three main categories: talismans carried or worn on the body, talismans hung upon or above the bed of an infirm person, and medicinal talismans. This third category can be further divided into external and internal talismans. For example, an external amulet can be placed in a bath.

Jews, Christians, and Muslims have also at times used their holy books in a talisman-like manner in grave situations. For example, a bed-ridden and seriously ill person would have a holy book placed under part of the bed or cushion.^[1]

Judaism

Amulets are plentiful in the Jewish tradition, with examples of Solomon-era amulets existing in many museums. Due to proscription of idols, Jewish amulets emphasize text and names—the shape, material or color of an amulet makes no difference. See also Khamsa.

The Jewish tallis (Yiddish-Hebrew form; plural is tallitot), the prayer shawl with fringed corners and knotted tassels at each corner, is perhaps one of the world's oldest and most used talismanic objects. Some believe it was intended to distinguish the Jews from pagans, as well as to remind them of God and Heaven. An incorrect conjugation of the plural form (with Ashkenazi pronunciation), "tallisim," is very close to the term "talisman;" however, the word "talisman" has come to us through Arabic, although ultimately derives from the Greek.

Christianity

Back of the Catholic Saint Benedict Medal with the Vade Retro Satana abbreviation: "Step back, Satan."

Further information: Cross necklace

The Roman Catholic Church maintains that the legitimate use of sacramentals in its proper disposition is only encouraged by a firm faith and devotion in God, not through any magical or superstitious belief bestowed on the sacramental. In this regard, Rosaries, Scapular, medals and other devotional religious Catholic paraphernalia derive their power, not from the symbolism created by the object, rather by the faith of the believer in entrusting its power to God. While some Catholics may not fully appreciate this view, belief in pagan magic or polytheistic superstition through material in-animate objects are condemned by the Holy See.

Protestant denominations in general do not share in this belief, but other Christian Evangelicals sometimes advertise in television prayer clothes, or coins, and wallet reminders claiming to have intercessory powers on its bearer.

Lay Catholics are not permitted to perform exorcisms but they can use Holy water, blessed salt and other sacramentals such as the Saint Benedict Medal or the Crucifix for warding off evil.^[2]

Crucifix

The Crucifix is one of the key sacramentals used by Catholics and has been used to ward off evil for centuries. The imperial cross of Conrad II (1024–1039) referred to the power of the cross against evil.^[3] Many of the early theologians of the Catholic Church made reference to use of the sign of the Cross by Christians to bless and to ward off demonic influences. The crucifix is still widely used as a talismanic sacramental by Christians.

Medals

A well-known amulet among Catholic Christians is the Saint Benedict Medal which includes the Vade Retro Satana formula to ward off Satan. This medal has been in use at least since the 18th century and in 1742 it received the approval of Pope Benedict XIV. It later became part of the Roman Catholic ritual.^[4]

Scapulars

Some Catholic sacramentals are believed to defend against evil, by virtue of their association with a specific saint or archangel. The Scapular of St. Michael the Archangel is a Roman Catholic devotional scapular associated with Archangel Michael, the chief enemy of Satan. Pope Pius IX gave this scapular his blessing, but it was first formally approved under Pope Leo XIII.

The form of this scapular is somewhat distinct, in that the two segments of cloth that constitute it have the form of a small shield; one is made of blue and the other of black cloth, and one of the bands likewise is blue and the other black. Both portions of the scapular bear the well-known representation of the Archangel St. Michael slaying the dragon and the inscription "Quis ut Deus?" meaning Who is like God?.^[5]

Holy water

The Catechism of the Catholic Church (number 301) specifically refers to the use of holy water for "protection from the powers of darkness."^[6] Catholic saints have written about the power of holy water as a force that repels evil. Saint Teresa of Avila, a Doctor of the Church who reported visions of Jesus and Mary, was a strong believer in the power of Holy water and wrote that she used it with success to repel evil and temptations.^[7]

Amulets and ancient Rome

The amulet is particularly prevalent in ancient Roman society, being the inheritor of the ancient Greek tradition, and inextricably linked to Roman Religion and Magic (see Magic in the Greco-Roman World). Amulets are usually outside of the normal sphere of religious experience though associations between certain gemstones and gods has been suggested, for example, Jupiter is represented on milky chalcedony, Sol on heliotrope, Mars on red jasper, Ceres on green jasper and Bacchus on amethyst.^[8] Amulets are worn to imbue the wearer with the associated powers of the gods rather than for any reasons of piety. The intrinsic power of the amulet is also evident from others bearing inscriptions, such as VTEREFELIX (UTERE FELIX) or "good luck to the user."^[9] Amulet boxes could also be used, such as the example from part of the Thetford treasure, Norfolk, UK, where a gold box intended for suspension around the neck was found to contain sulphur for its apotropaic qualities.^[10]

Amulets and talismans in folklore

An Omamori, a Japanese amulet

Amulets and talismans vary considerably according to their time and place of origin. In many societies, religious objects serve as amulets, e.g. deriving from the ancient Celts, the clover, if it has four leaves, symbolizes good luck (not the Irish shamrock, which symbolizes the Christian Trinity).^[11]

In Bolivia and Argentina, the god Ekeko furnishes a standard amulet, to whom one should offer at least one banknote or a cigarette to obtain fortune and welfare.^[12] In certain areas of India, Nepal and Sri Lanka, it is traditionally believed that the Jackal's Horn can grant wishes and reappear to its owner at its own accord when lost. Some Sinhalese believe that the horn can grant the holder invulnerability in any lawsuit.^[13]

See also

• Apotropaism
• Curse tablet
• Dzi bead
• Evil eye
• Folk religion
• Hamsa
• Lucky charm
• Nazar
• Painted pebbles
• Sachet
• Ta'wiz
• Thokcha
• Touch pieces
• Uncial 0152

Notes

1. ^ Tewfik Canaan, "The Decipherment of Arabic Talismans," The Formation of the Classical Islamic World 42 (2004): 125–149.
2. ^ Rosemarie Scott, 2006 Clean of Heart ISBN 0-9772234-5-0 p. 63
3. ^ e encyclopedia of Christianity By Erwin Fahlbusch, Eerdmans Publishing, 1999 ISBN 0-8028-2413-7 p. 737
4. ^ Lea, Henry Charles (1896) A History of Auricular Confession and Indulgences in the Latin Church Philadelphia: Lea Brothers & Co.
5. ^ Ann Ball, 2003, Encyclopedia of Catholic Devotions and Practices OSV Press ISBN 0-87973-910-X p. 520
6. ^ Thoms O'Brian, An Advanced Catechism Of Catholic Faith And Practice, Kessinger Publishers, 2005, ISBN 1-4179-8447-3, p. 151
7. ^ Tessa Bielecki, Mirabai Starr, 2008 Teresa of Avila: The Book of My Life ISBN 1-59030-573-6 pp. 238–241
8. ^ Henig, M., 1984, Religion in Roman Britain, London: B.T. Batsford
9. ^ Collingwood, R.G. and Wright, R.P., 1991, Roman Inscriptions of Britain Volume II Fascicule 3, Stround: Alan Sutton. RIB 2421.56-8
10. ^ Henig, M., 1984, Religion in Roman Britain, London: B.T. Batsford, p. 187
11. ^ Compendium of Symbolic and Ritual Plants in Europe by Marcel Cleene, Marie Claire Lejeune, 2003 ISBN 90-77135-04-9 p. 178
12. ^ Fanthorpe, Lionel & Patricia (2008). Mysteries and Secrets of Voodoo, Santeria, and Obeah. Dundurn Group. ISBN 1-55002-784-0. 
13. ^ Sketches of the natural history of Ceylon by Sir James Emerson Tennent, published by Longman, Green, Longman, and Roberts, 1861

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Amulets

Look up amulet in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

• Gonzalez-Wippler, Migene (2001). Complete Book Of Amulets & Talismans. Lewellyn Publications. ISBN 0-87542-287-X. 
• S.C. Plinius (1964). Natural History. London. 

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Dansk (Danish)
n. - amulet

Nederlands (Dutch)
amulet

Français (French)
n. - amulette

Deutsch (German)
n. - Amulett

Ελληνική (Greek)
n. - φυλαχτό, χαϊμαλί

Italiano (Italian)
amuleto

Português (Portuguese)
n. - amuleto (m), talismã (m)

Русский (Russian)
амулет

Español (Spanish)
n. - amuleto

Svenska (Swedish)
n. - amulett

中文（简体）(Chinese (Simplified))
护身符

中文（繁體）(Chinese (Traditional))
n. - 護身符

한국어 (Korean)
n. - 부적

日本語 (Japanese)
n. - お守り, 魔除け, 護符

العربيه (Arabic)
‏(الاسم) تعويذه, حجاب‏

עברית (Hebrew)
n. - ‮קמיע‬

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