Magical Good Luck Charms and Amulets
An Amulet/Good Luck Charm meaning “an object that protects a person from trouble”, is a close cousin of the Talisman, from the Greek, which means “To initiate into the mysteries”, consists of any object intended to bring Good Luck and/or protection to its owner. Potential Amulets include: gems or simple stones, statues, coins, drawings, pendants, rings, plants, animals, etc., even words said on certain occasions, – for example – Namo Tassa Bhagahato Arahato Samma Sambuddhasa, are used to repel evil or bad luck.
Amulets and Talismans vary considerably according to their time and place of origin. A religious amulet might be the figure of a certain god or holy monk. In Thailand one can commonly see people with more than one Buddha image hanging from their necks. Every zodiacal sign corresponds to a gem that acts as an Amulet, but these stones vary according to different traditions.
An ancient tradition in Chinainvolves capturing a cricket live and keeping it in an osier box to attract Good Luck (this tradition extended to the Philippines).
Figures of elephants are said to attract Good Luck and Money if one offers bank notes to them.
In India small bells make demons flee by their sound in the wind or when a door or window opens. Amulets are also worn on the upper right arm to protect the person wearing it. In fact this method was more popular in ancient India than wearing it as a pendant or around the neck.
Buddhism has a deep and ancient Talismanic tradition. In the earliest days of Buddhism, just after the Buddha's death in circa 485 B.C., amulets bearing the symbols of Buddhism were common. Symbols such as conch shells, the footprints of the Buddha, and others were commonly worn.
After the second century B.C. Greeks began carving the actual image of the Buddha. These were hungrily acquired by the native Buddhists in India, and the tradition spread.
In addition to protection against supernatural powers, amulets are also used for protection against other people. For example, soldiers and those involved in other dangerous activities may use Good Luck Charms to increase their luck.
Amulets can be found among people of every nation and social status. They can be seen in Jewelry-artisan fairs, museums, shops and homes.
To gain “maximum” power, the amulet and its ingredients have to be prayed over by monks for days. A top-of-the-range gold-leaf edition Amulet from a well-respected temple, costs 10,000 baht or more, (300-325 dollars), more than a month's wages for many Thai's.
The nation of 65 million people, most of whom remain very superstitious despite the rapid modernization of places such as Bangkok, has spent more than 20 million baht (625,000 to 650,000 dollars) on the Amulets/Good Luck Charms this year, newspapers say.
The scale of the phenomenon is now so large the Thai Revenue Department is looking into ways of taxing Amulet sales despite a convention that donations or money going to Buddhist temples are exempt from tax.
An Amulet/Good Luck Charm is instilled with magical qualities that keep away bad spirits. Usually worn around the neck or seen in ring form, amulets are also seen on dashboards and rear view mirrors of cars. Amulets/Good Luck Charms are particularly big in Southeast Asia.
Buddhist amulets/good luck charms have been worn for centuries in Thailand. Nowadays it seems almost every Thai has at least one. The Amulets are said to ward off evil spirits and bring Good Luck and Prosperity. In Buddhist countries Amulets are blessed by monks, usually one held in high regard by Thai society.
The prestige of an Amulet/Good Luck Charm is based on:
Who made it?
Where it was made?
The material it was made from
The beauty of the Amulet
It's reputation for bringing Good Luck
Thai amulets are not just made on a factory assembly line. Instead most amulets from Thailand are made by long time monks, who use their experience to cast spells, make sacred scripts (included in the amulet) and create magical pictures for them.
One of the lesser know facts about Thai Buddhist amulets/good luck charms, is the monks use ashes of old and sacred handwritten books as part of their magical ingredients. Each Thai amulet/good luck charm is really unique and each serves the purpose of protecting the one who wears it.
Those who wear protective amulets/good luck charms generally believe that an impersonal power is inherent in them. Although many rational and scientific minded people may scoff at those who wear them, millions of people world wide still wear them and believe in their powers.
Researched and written by Dr. Williaml Callaway, PhD. Visit his blog:
http://luckycharms-thailand.blogspot.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=William_Callaway
http://EzineArticles.com/?Magical-Good-Luck-Charms-and-Amulets&id=1180742
Good Luck Charms Around the World
Amulets and talismans are in fact nothing more or less than good luck charms and after all that is exactly what millions of people in this world look for; shop for, and crave for in their lives. What we'll be looking at here is a brief look back at the history of these good luck symbols in various cultures of the world.
These symbols are as different as the many and varied cultures of the world and differ considerably according to their times and places of origin as well as their societies and religions. After all, an amulet may certainly represent a God or a symbol of deity such as a cross or a bull or an “eye of Horus”, or another such representation according to the culture. Some societies even use gemstones as symbols of deity.
In parts of the Caribbean certain drawings are used as amulets, such as in certain types of Voodoo, and religions take into account the color of candles they use because of the significance of attractions or repulsions. Additionally, speaking of attraction and repulsion, it is believed that certain perfumes and essences have that power, while a bit better known; a rabbit's foot is credited with the powers of certain magical abilities.
We all know of course from books and movies that garlic and crucifixes kept vampires away, but it is not as commonly known that the hammer of Thor still offers protection in some places in Scandinavia and Germany against thieves. Naturally we all know about the good luck charm that is known as the four leaf clover. (Don't confuse that with the shamrock which symbolizes the Christian Trinity) Also interesting to note that elephants were said to attract great good luck and money IF…that's IF… one offers bank notes to them. Hmm, interesting, huh? And believe it or not in a small locale called Tyrol, it is believed that small bells make demons escape when they ring in the wind or when a door or window opens.
Buddhism is an interesting religion with many traditions which are somewhat unknown to most westerners. After Buddha's death circa 485 BC, amulets bearing symbols of Buddha such as conch shells, the footprints of Buddha, and others were commonly worn. Tradition really spread greatly after the 2nd century when the Greeks began carving actual images of the Buddha which were hungrily acquired by native Buddhists in India.
We all know that amulets and talismans, or when you really come down to it, Good Luck Charms in general, can be found literally all over the world among people from all nations and in all social statuses.
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Magical Good Luck Charms and Amulets
An Amulet/Good Luck Charm meaning “an object that protects a person from trouble”, is a close cousin of the Talisman, from the Greek, which means “To initiate into the mysteries”, consists of any object intended to bring Good Luck and/or protection to its owner. Potential Amulets include: gems or simple stones, statues, coins, drawings, pendants, rings, plants, animals, etc., even words said on certain occasions, – for example – Namo Tassa Bhagahato Arahato Samma Sambuddhasa, are used to repel evil or bad luck.
Amulets and Talismans vary considerably according to their time and place of origin. A religious amulet might be the figure of a certain god or holy monk. In Thailand one can commonly see people with more than one Buddha image hanging from their necks. Every zodiacal sign corresponds to a gem that acts as an Amulet, but these stones vary according to different traditions.
An ancient tradition in Chinainvolves capturing a cricket live and keeping it in an osier box to attract Good Luck (this tradition extended to the Philippines).
Figures of elephants are said to attract Good Luck and Money if one offers bank notes to them.
In India small bells make demons flee by their sound in the wind or when a door or window opens. Amulets are also worn on the upper right arm to protect the person wearing it. In fact this method was more popular in ancient India than wearing it as a pendant or around the neck.
Buddhism has a deep and ancient Talismanic tradition. In the earliest days of Buddhism, just after the Buddha's death in circa 485 B.C., amulets bearing the symbols of Buddhism were common. Symbols such as conch shells, the footprints of the Buddha, and others were commonly worn.
After the second century B.C. Greeks began carving the actual image of the Buddha. These were hungrily acquired by the native Buddhists in India, and the tradition spread.
In addition to protection against supernatural powers, amulets are also used for protection against other people. For example, soldiers and those involved in other dangerous activities may use Good Luck Charms to increase their luck.
Amulets can be found among people of every nation and social status. They can be seen in Jewelry-artisan fairs, museums, shops and homes.
To gain “maximum” power, the amulet and its ingredients have to be prayed over by monks for days. A top-of-the-range gold-leaf edition Amulet from a well-respected temple, costs 10,000 baht or more, (300-325 dollars), more than a month's wages for many Thai's.
The nation of 65 million people, most of whom remain very superstitious despite the rapid modernization of places such as Bangkok, has spent more than 20 million baht (625,000 to 650,000 dollars) on the Amulets/Good Luck Charms this year, newspapers say.
The scale of the phenomenon is now so large the Thai Revenue Department is looking into ways of taxing Amulet sales despite a convention that donations or money going to Buddhist temples are exempt from tax.
An Amulet/Good Luck Charm is instilled with magical qualities that keep away bad spirits. Usually worn around the neck or seen in ring form, amulets are also seen on dashboards and rear view mirrors of cars. Amulets/Good Luck Charms are particularly big in Southeast Asia.
Buddhist amulets/good luck charms have been worn for centuries in Thailand. Nowadays it seems almost every Thai has at least one. The Amulets are said to ward off evil spirits and bring Good Luck and Prosperity. In Buddhist countries Amulets are blessed by monks, usually one held in high regard by Thai society.
The prestige of an Amulet/Good Luck Charm is based on:
Who made it?
Where it was made?
The material it was made from
The beauty of the Amulet
It's reputation for bringing Good Luck
Thai amulets are not just made on a factory assembly line. Instead most amulets from Thailand are made by long time monks, who use their experience to cast spells, make sacred scripts (included in the amulet) and create magical pictures for them.
One of the lesser know facts about Thai Buddhist amulets/good luck charms, is the monks use ashes of old and sacred handwritten books as part of their magical ingredients. Each Thai amulet/good luck charm is really unique and each serves the purpose of protecting the one who wears it.
Those who wear protective amulets/good luck charms generally believe that an impersonal power is inherent in them. Although many rational and scientific minded people may scoff at those who wear them, millions of people world wide still wear them and believe in their powers.
Researched and written by Dr. Williaml Callaway, PhD. Visit his blog:
http://luckycharms-thailand.blogspot.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=William_Callaway
http://EzineArticles.com/?Magical-Good-Luck-Charms-and-Amulets&id=1180742
The Theory Behind Good Luck Charms
All over the world people have their own sets of beliefs which form an important part of our culture and just who we are. Of course, the idea of just what is this particular culture is quite a question open to interpretation yet there is little doubt that there are certain aspects of this culture which lead to other interesting avenues, etc. There are various internet sites to visit for more Interesting Information on the topic. One distinct example of how culture is reflected in practice is how people believe and make use of good luck charms. There seems to be no end to how people believe in luck and the power that certain charms can produce and fortunately, or unfortunately as the case may be, the power as believed by many may be good or evil as fantasized in many horror movies such as Dracula for example.
But moving in on examples of good fortune that is usually referenced is that of jade bead bracelets. Jade is of course a lovely semi precious stone which is generally believed to bring good luck to those who own or wear it. This belief goes only God knows how far back but is referenced numerous times in history and journals. In Asia, for example, many people have jade jewelry and/or jade displays within their homes to bring great luck there in. Again, these beliefs go back many centuries, and are part of the foundations of people's cultures. Furthermore, many lucky charms not only bring good fortune but have positive value in the opposite direction and that is in warding off evil or negative energy. So therefore having a good luck charm in the home not only brings good things to the home but it avoids the presence of bad luck.
Of course the belief in good luck charms gives one a psychological advantage also if you think about it. When one has a strong belief in something that they think will help them in some way, then chances are that belief will in fact give them an inner strength which will in fact help them psychologically. This sort of belief has been clinically tested and proven to be of value for those who believe in omens like good luck charms for example. Good luck charms may seem silly to some people but if one believes in them for what they are, perhaps a symbol of winning over losing, then they not only have beauty but a great positive value.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Roger_Goldfuss
http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Theory-Behind-Good-Luck-Charms&id=2732150
Magical Good Luck Charms and Amulets
An Amulet/Good Luck Charm meaning “an object that protects a person from trouble”, is a close cousin of the Talisman, from the Greek, which means “To initiate into the mysteries”, consists of any object intended to bring Good Luck and/or protection to its owner. Potential Amulets include: gems or simple stones, statues, coins, drawings, pendants, rings, plants, animals, etc., even words said on certain occasions, – for example – Namo Tassa Bhagahato Arahato Samma Sambuddhasa, are used to repel evil or bad luck.
Amulets and Talismans vary considerably according to their time and place of origin. A religious amulet might be the figure of a certain god or holy monk. In Thailand one can commonly see people with more than one Buddha image hanging from their necks. Every zodiacal sign corresponds to a gem that acts as an Amulet, but these stones vary according to different traditions.
An ancient tradition in Chinainvolves capturing a cricket live and keeping it in an osier box to attract Good Luck (this tradition extended to the Philippines).
Figures of elephants are said to attract Good Luck and Money if one offers bank notes to them.
In India small bells make demons flee by their sound in the wind or when a door or window opens. Amulets are also worn on the upper right arm to protect the person wearing it. In fact this method was more popular in ancient India than wearing it as a pendant or around the neck.
Buddhism has a deep and ancient Talismanic tradition. In the earliest days of Buddhism, just after the Buddha's death in circa 485 B.C., amulets bearing the symbols of Buddhism were common. Symbols such as conch shells, the footprints of the Buddha, and others were commonly worn.
After the second century B.C. Greeks began carving the actual image of the Buddha. These were hungrily acquired by the native Buddhists in India, and the tradition spread.
In addition to protection against supernatural powers, amulets are also used for protection against other people. For example, soldiers and those involved in other dangerous activities may use Good Luck Charms to increase their luck.
Amulets can be found among people of every nation and social status. They can be seen in Jewelry-artisan fairs, museums, shops and homes.
To gain “maximum” power, the amulet and its ingredients have to be prayed over by monks for days. A top-of-the-range gold-leaf edition Amulet from a well-respected temple, costs 10,000 baht or more, (300-325 dollars), more than a month's wages for many Thai's.
The nation of 65 million people, most of whom remain very superstitious despite the rapid modernization of places such as Bangkok, has spent more than 20 million baht (625,000 to 650,000 dollars) on the Amulets/Good Luck Charms this year, newspapers say.
The scale of the phenomenon is now so large the Thai Revenue Department is looking into ways of taxing Amulet sales despite a convention that donations or money going to Buddhist temples are exempt from tax.
An Amulet/Good Luck Charm is instilled with magical qualities that keep away bad spirits. Usually worn around the neck or seen in ring form, amulets are also seen on dashboards and rear view mirrors of cars. Amulets/Good Luck Charms are particularly big in Southeast Asia.
Buddhist amulets/good luck charms have been worn for centuries in Thailand. Nowadays it seems almost every Thai has at least one. The Amulets are said to ward off evil spirits and bring Good Luck and Prosperity. In Buddhist countries Amulets are blessed by monks, usually one held in high regard by Thai society.
The prestige of an Amulet/Good Luck Charm is based on:
Who made it?
Where it was made?
The material it was made from
The beauty of the Amulet
It's reputation for bringing Good Luck
Thai amulets are not just made on a factory assembly line. Instead most amulets from Thailand are made by long time monks, who use their experience to cast spells, make sacred scripts (included in the amulet) and create magical pictures for them.
One of the lesser know facts about Thai Buddhist amulets/good luck charms, is the monks use ashes of old and sacred handwritten books as part of their magical ingredients. Each Thai amulet/good luck charm is really unique and each serves the purpose of protecting the one who wears it.
Those who wear protective amulets/good luck charms generally believe that an impersonal power is inherent in them. Although many rational and scientific minded people may scoff at those who wear them, millions of people world wide still wear them and believe in their powers.
Researched and written by Dr. Williaml Callaway, PhD. Visit his blog:
http://luckycharms-thailand.blogspot.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=William_Callaway
http://EzineArticles.com/?Magical-Good-Luck-Charms-and-Amulets&id=1180742
How To Make Your Own Good Luck Charm Or Talisman
So you would like to know how to make your own lucky talisman/charm? The process can take awhile but it can bring wonderful results. I'll explain to you, step by step, how to make your very own.
1. Decide what to use as the “physical base”. It can be a piece of jewelry that you plan on wearing for good luck, a rabbit's foot, a four leaf clover that you will carry around, a gemstone, etc.. Pieces of meteorites work wonders considering that you would be carrying something that really is “from another world”. It would be considered from “another world” both physically and magickally (after you charge it). Whatever you choose for your “physical base”, make sure that it's something that you have a connection with and that would be easy for you to carry around.
2. After you choose the physical base for your charm, spend a few minutes meditating and/or praying over it. Keep it in your hands as you concentrate and ask your higher self/God/or Spirit Guides to help you bless it.
3. Begin “raising your vibrations” while holding it in your hand or wearing it (if it's jewelry). Make sure you do something positive and fun for at least 20 minutes straight every day for a week. Make sure sure the “physical base” is physically touching you as you do it. You can dance, laugh, chant, meditate, etc.. just as long as you're doing something that makes you feel happy. Also make sure you're wearing your favorite clothes while you do this. Visualize the happy/positive energy you're creating is going inside of the physical base.
4. If you are feeling negative, upset, sad, angry, or any BAD FEELING AT ALL, MAKE SURE YOU DO NOT GET AROUND THE PHYSICAL BASE! ONLY get near it when you are in positive moods! It is possible that you may taint it if you touch it while feeling/being negative. That is the last thing you want.
5. Make sure that it passes through the elements at least once during the creation process. Run it through the smoke of incense, around the flame of a candle, a little bit of water, and earth. Also do not forget to meditate/pray to your God or Spirit Guides to ask their blessings. They will help with the spiritual element of creating your talisman/charm.
6. If you were successful with all of the above 5 steps, and consistent with adding positive energy to it for at least 20 minutes a day, then after a week it should be ready. Wear it or carry it around with you wherever you go. Whenever you feel that you need a burst of positive energy or good luck, clutch it to your heart and visualize the positive energy from it soothing you. By then it should be strong enough and filled with enough positive energy that will help you when you are feeling down, and you'll be less likely to “taint it”. It would be a good idea, however, to “recharge” it occasionally with more positive energy, and doing steps 2 – 5 all over again. It doesn't have to be recharged often though, only when you feel that it is becoming “weaker' in helping you.
Some magicians/witches/occultists even go as far as naming their talismans. It gives them more of a connection with the energies. “Lend me your strength, _____” It's up to you whether you wish to name yours or not. Just be very careful during the creation process though to ONLY store energy into it while you're in a positive mood. If you succeed in making it strong enough, then it will help balance your bad moods out later when you're feeling negative, as well as bring you better luck.
I am a spiritual female who loves writing. I especially love writing and teaching others about self help. I have a love for anything considered “metaphysical”. I offer Reiki courses, FREE spiritual healing, teaching, psychic advice, magickal information, etc… http://www.AvonleeStarkeeper.com
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Thai Amulets Good Luck Charm For Wealth, Health and Good Fortune
Also known as a good luck charm, the Thai amulets are worn by people around their neck to protect themselves from trouble and diseases. The most popular image on the amulets is that of Buddha, which is worn on a cord of chain around the neck. These amulets are worn to repel bad luck and evil. Buddhist amulets are being worn in Thailand from centuries. Residents here, adorn at least one Buddhist amulet.
Thai people strongly believe in the power of Buddha and people wear these amulets not only to seek happiness, but also to ward off pain and sorrows. Earlier these images were carved over wooden or metal piece. In olden days, Thai amulets were made out of many different ingredients such as Din, Chin, Phong, Herb etc., or any other ingredients. Today colored plastic ones have become quiet popular.
Majority of the inhabitants of Thailand, believe in ghosts and many of them claim to have seen them. In Thailand ghost stories or movies are extremely popular and come in many varieties from the comic to the gruesome. This phenomenon is not just restricted to rural villages but is also relevant among many university students and people from all walks of life. It is particularly strong in Northern Thailand where it is taken very seriously.
In Thailand you will find many people wearing this amulet to protect themselves against evil spirits and around Thai houses you will find Spirit Houses (San Phra Phum). Thai people believe that there are many ghosts that need to be feared and that each of them poses a different threat. This is the one big reason for Thai people resorting to wear such good luck amulets. In addition to protection against ghosts or evil spirits, amulets are also worn for protection from other people. For example, soldiers may use Thai amulets to increase their luck and to protect their lives.
Nowadays you can find these amulets worn by people right cross the globe. They can be easily found in jewelry-artisan fairs, museums, shops and also at homes. These amulets are prayed over by monks for a period of time spanning many days, so that it gains maximum power to fight evil in all its forms.
Thai amulets are not made in factory; they are made by Thai monks who use their experience, ashes of old and sacred handwritten books as part of their magical ingredients to make this good luck charm. A good quality gold leaf amulet can be purchased from respected temples at cost of 10,000 baht or more, (300-325 dollars). Despite rapid modernization, many people are still superstitious. In Bangkok the number is more as when compare to other place. People here spend more than 20 million baht (625,000 to 650,000 dollars) on the Amulets/Good Luck Charms as per newspaper reports.
Thai amulets, instilled with magical qualities that keep away bad spirits, are not only worn around the neck or in ring form but are also seen on dashboards and rear view mirrors of cars. Thai amulets are more famous in Southeast Asia.
Edward Han
http://www.yain.com
Thai Buddha Amulets & Tibetan dZi Beads.
Blessed with Wealth, Health & Good Fortune
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photo credit: saumilshah
A talisman is an object marked with magic powers and is believed to confer on its bearer supernatural powers or protection. A Talisman is a small amulet or other object, often bearing magical symbols, worn for protection against evil spirits or the supernatural. These talismans have a wide variety of purposes as each one is specifically made for the intention of helping each individual. Talismans are charms which allegedly have magical empowering abilities or power of their own which is transmitted to their possessors.
They are used to attract good luck and to ward off evil. Also in magic, talismans are supposedly endowed with its supernatural power only by the forces of nature, by god or the gods, or by being made so in a ritualistic way. Talismans are objects believed to be endowed with magical powers. The talisman bestows its magical power upon the one who possesses it at the time. Bearers wear the talismans for such purposes as success, protection, good luck, love, and money matters, along with many others. These talismans purchased from Khakani will be made as to the specification of the purpose in which to fulfill the owners individual and personal needs.
The most popular reason for purchasing a talisman is for overall improvement of ones life. A talisman is an object carried for protection or another goal that has been charged for that purpose. There are many types of talismans such as, the healing talismans, wealth talismans, magic talismans, protection talismans, love talismans, home protection talismans, female talismans, safe travel talismans along with a list of many more. Here you will find the specific talismans for your everyday and overall needs. Talismans can also be used for those who seek real power and pursue the study of magic.
Talismans are available to you to enhance spiritual development, boost your material needs, improve daily interaction with people and ensure an overall health and well-being. Also as indicated talismans are magical and do incur magical powers and are to be used in the way specified by the maker. Talismans are objects designed to give a specific power, encouragement, protection, or energy to the bearer or wearer. A talismans that is made personally provide specific benefits to their owners for the purpose specified. Talismans are often made at spiritually and cosmically significant times or by a spiritualist as to help provide power and energy that can be used by the wearer.
Talismans can be made for negative as well as positive purposes. It it highly stressed not to invest in or create a talisman made for a negative purpose. Talismans are the most common kind of objects considered to have supernatural powers, worn as a charm against evil. Talismans are objects believed to have the magic power to good luck and fortune to their bearer. They are also known to have the power to protect. By keeping away evil and negative influences they protect the wearer from things such as illness, misfortune, and accidents. Talismans are made with the ability to absorb all types of positive vibrations of cosmic energy and in turn pass these positive effects on to its owner.
Hermetic Talismans
The word talisman also describes a number of consecrated magical objects used in Hermeticism.
Instructions for how to create a talisman can be commonly found in Grimoires. These talismans, sometimes called pentacles, were usually either made to protect the wearer from various influences of disease and other forms of danger or to protect the wearer from demons and to seal a certain demon under the users control.
A common version of the later talisman is known as the Seal of Solomon. This became an extremely important talisman due to the legend that Solomon used demons to create Solomon’s temple and was protected by a seal sent by God (although the earliest accounts describe this seal as a ring: see Testament of Solomon; later innovations were made by various ceremonial magicians and authors of other grimoires where they have described the seal as a ring.)
photo credit: spratmackrel
Talismans
photo credit: saumilshahAn amulet (from Latin amuletum; earliest extant use in Natural History [Pliny], meaning “an object that protects a person from trouble”), a close cousin of the talisman consists of any object intended to bring good luck and/or protection to its owner. Potential amulets include: gems or simple stones, statues, coins, drawings, pendants, rings, plants, animals, etc.; even words said in certain occasions – for example: vade retro satana – (Latin, “go back, Satan”), to repel evil or bad luck.
Amulets and Talismans in Folklore
Amulets and talismans vary considerably according to their time and place of origin. In many societies, religious objects serve as amulets. A religious amulet might be the figure of a certain god or simply some symbol representing the deity (such as the cross for Christians or the “eye of Horus” for the ancient Egyptians). In Thailand one can commonly see people with more than one Buddha hanging from their necks; in Bolivia and some places in Argentina the god Ekeko furnishes a standard amulet, to whom one should offer at least one banknote to obtain fortune and welfare.
Every zodiacal sign corresponds to a gem that acts as an amulet, but these stones vary according to different traditions.
An ancient tradition in China involves capturing a cricket alive and keeping it in an osier box to attract good luck (this tradition extended to the Philippines). Chinese may also spread coins on the floor to attract money; rice also has a reputation as a carrier of good fortune.
Turtles and cactus can cause controversy, for while some people consider them beneficial, others think they delay everything in the house.
In Afro-Caribbean syncretic religions like Voodoo, Umbanda, Quimbanda and Santeria, drawings are also used as amulets, such as with the veves of Voodoo; these religions also take into account the colour of the candles they light, because each colour features a different effect of attraction or repulsion.
Perfumes and essences (like incense, myrrh, etc.) also serve the purposes of attraction or repulsion. Popular legends often attributed magical powers to certain unusual objects, such as a baby’s caul or a rabbit’s foot; possession of these items allegedly endowed their magical abilities upon their owners.
In Central Europe, people believed garlic kept vampires away, and so did a crucifix. The ancient Egyptians had many amulets for different occasions and needs, often with the figure of a god or the “ankh” (the key of eternal life); the figure of the scarab god Khepri became a common amulet too and has now gained renewed fame around the Western world.
For the ancient Scandinavians, Anglo-Saxons and Germans and currently for some Neopagan believers the rune Eoh (yew) protects against evil and witchcraft; a non-alphabetical rune representing Thor’s hammer still offers protection against thieves in some places.
Deriving from the ancient Celts, the clover, if it has four leaves, symbolises good luck (not the Irish shamrock, which symbolises the Christian Trinity). In the celtic tradition a bag made from a crane skin (called a crane bag) symbolised treasure, a wheel symboled the sun, a boat also was a sun symbol, but also a death symbol (to the land of the dead), the raven was a symbol of death, the head was a symbol of wisdom as was the acorn and a well.
Corals, horseshoes and lucky bamboo also allegedly make good amulets.
Figures of elephants are said to attract good luck and money if one offers bank notes to them. In Arab countries a hand with an eye amid the palm and two thumbs (similar to a Hand of Fatima) serves as protection against evil.
In Tyrol, it is believed that small bells make demons escape when they sound in the wind or when a door or window opens. Amulets are also worn on the upper right arm to protect the person wearing it.
Some forms of Buddhism have a deep and ancient talismanic tradition. In the earliest days of Buddhism, just after the Buddha’s death circa 485 B.C., amulets bearing the symbols of Buddhism were common. Symbols such as conch shells, the footprints of the Buddha, and others were commonly worn. After about the 2nd century B.C., Greeks began carving actual images of the Buddha. These were hungrily acquired by native Buddhists in India, and the tradition spread.
Another aspect of amulets connects with demonology and demonolatry; these systems consider an inverted cross (not an upward cross, which drives demons away) or pentagram in downward position as favourable to communicate with demons and to show friendship towards them.
During the tumultuous Plains Indians troubles in mid-19th century America, the Lakota Tribe adopted the Ghost Dance ritual, created by a Paiute Indian living in northwestern Oregon. Black Elk, the great Lakota Holy Man, received instructions on how to create a talismanic shirt that would protect the Lakota from the Greedy White Man’s bullets. Tragically, the shirts failed to offer the Lakota any protection.
In addition to protection against supernatural powers, amulets are also used for protection against other people. For example, soldiers and those involved in other dangerous activities may use talismans to increase their luck. Carlist soldiers wore a medal of the Sacred Heart of Jesus with the inscription “Detente bala” (”Stop, bullet!”). Amulets can be found among people of every nation and social status. They can be seen in jewellery, artisan fairs, museums, shops, and homes.
