Where can you purchase a silver cimaruta with all thirteen symbols?

Answer 1

The cimaruta is a talisman most commonly associated with the Strega (pre-Christian pagans of the area now known as Italy).

It is a stylized sprig of rue (the herb), into which have been incorporated:

- a crescent moon

- a hand (often in the clenched position with the tip of the thumb between the 1st & 2nd or 2nd & 3rd fingers)

- a dagger

- a key

- a heart

- a horn (the ever-present Italian bull's horn) or

- a fish

- a serpent

- a cock (rooster) or

- a eagle

- a flower (vervain)

- a cherub (added after the cimaruta was "Christianized")

The cimaruta was and still is worn by devotees to Diana. This talisman was commonly given to infants and children to draw Diana's protection.

Many of the symbols are interpreted differently by different branches of the Strega, but the following are some generalized, and well accpted meanings.

The rue plant is sacred to Diana and is traditionally rendered in three branches (representative of the three aspects of the goddess, Hecate-Diana-Proserpina/Crone-Mother-Maiden).

The crescent moon is symbolic of Diana.

The hand (as described above), was a symbol given to female children to draw masculine protection to the child.

The dagger, was a representation of the "dart of Diana Venetrix"

The key, is associated with Janna, the gatekeeper, Hecate and Diana.

The heart, originally found most commonly as the head of the key, was later morphed into the "Sacred Heart" when the cimaruta was "Christianized".

The horn, a common symbol of masculinity.

The fish, (originally rendered as the dolphin) was a connection to Diana-Proserpina.

The serpent, an ancient symbol of wisdom.

The cock, who's meaning is read as vigilance was commonly set as a "watchful guardian" for children.

The eagle, the eagle has been seen in the symbolism of Italy since pre-Christian times, carried before the legions of Rome, on ancient money, and displayed prominently on buildings. This symbol represented power.

The flower, a vervain blosoom, which was locally considered a flower of the fairy and connected to Diana as the "Queen of the Fairies"

The cherub, never found on the original designs, the cherub was added after the cimaruta was "Christianized".

As for purchasing one with all of the symbols, I have yet to see one. You may however be able to commission one from and artisan that works in silver, if you can provide a good design.