Farm bird Apotropaic magic. 18 Karat Gold, Platinum, Diamond and Ruby Rooster Brooch, Oscar Heyman & Brothers

Farm bird Apotropaic magic.
Many birds were seen as being endowed with apotropaic magic. Ancient Greeks and Romans believed that the image of a chicken – amulet against the evil eye, as well as a chicken egg. Egg amulet is known in almost all cultures, stone eggs are found even in before-Neolithic graves. In Europe, as a talisman and amulet since ancient times were used the so-called bone desires – V-shaped chicken or turkey breast bone, both present in the form of pendants, and brooches, trinkets of gold and silver. A variety of necklaces, charms with golden ducks found in ancient Egypt, and later – in the Hellenistic and Eastern world. A pair of mandarin ducks “Yuan-yang” symbolized and also served as a talisman of conjugal life in China. Fluffy tail of the wild duck was attached to the earrings of Tajiks and Uzbeks, in addition, in Central Asia, Apotropaic magic had feathers and claws of birds, embodying fertility: dove, pheasant, rooster.
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Protective child amulets

To a special group belong amulets and talismans for children, especially vulnerable and desirable to the evil forces. Among special children apotropaic amulets almost all over the world are rattles or other noisy and ringing items driving out evil spirits. The Indians of the Americas used in this role amulets – rattles – dried gourd with dry seeds in them. in Russia – dried poppy heads and woven from birch bark toys, emitting a rustling sound. The descendants of the ancient tintinnabutum – equipped with bells suspension, depicting men with a huge phallus, suspended on a cradle throughout Europe. In Central Asia, the bells were worn on a chain around kids’ neck; silver, bronze, copper suspension with bells became so familiar to all of us modern plastic rattle in the form of beads for strollers. Many apotropes were put to the newborn at the bottom of the crib or bassinet. In Europe over the cradle hung bells, horns and Fig signs (Italy, Spain), shells, cowries, and under the pillow put mole foot or claw of big animal, the rooster spurs, horns of black kid, scarab, brush (counting its “hair” distracted the witches from the child), a sharp object – a knife, scissors (the evil forces stumbled on them); amulet made of wax Easter candles.
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Frog inspired jewellery. Brooch Frog on a leaf, colored stones and diamonds in yellow gold

Frog inspired jewellery. Frog in many nations played the role of amulets and talismans of fertility, preservation of sexual power. Dried frogs even today serve as a home wards in South-East Asia: Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand. In China, where the frogs are called “heavenly chicken”, their figures are made of jade, as talisman of long life and wisdom. In Latin America, the frogs are considered fore mothers, and therefore protectors of all human spirit.
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Sun and Moon sacred power. Azza Fahmy Diamond Crescent Star ring, 18-carat gold, sterling silver, diamonds

Among the most ancient cults in the history of mankind is the worship of the Sun and Moon. Although the cult of the stars, endowing nature and human with fertility, cleansing force is international, it received powerful development in ancient Egypt, Assyria, Urartu in all forms and kinds of variations of solar and lunar characters. The broadest dissemination of amulets in a realistic image of the Sun and Moon were widespread in Egypt, in particular, crescent – a sign of Isis – served as an amulet for women and children.
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Gold Acorn Vintage brooch. Magic Plants in Jewellery

Magic Plants in Jewellery
Any modern or vintage brooch with floral motif performs both functions – a decorative and an amulet. Considered the most ancient jewelry, amulets included onion, garlic, pepper, seeds and fragrant herbs. A huge number of plants endowed with magical properties, especially spicy, with characteristic odor. Traditionally, tufts of grass hang on the walls of the house, barns and stables.
Acorn, in particular, was a symbol of fertility and immortality, because from it grows a mighty oak tree, which can live for centuries. Anciently prized for potential power, acorn became a symbol of rebirth, perseverance and courage. In ancient cultures people perceived acorn as a talisman and amulet against evil spirits – from lightning strikes, natural and human disasters.
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Behind the mask

Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth. Oscar Wilde. Mask – a strange, unnatural for an animal, but a natural for human thing, a product of his contradictory inner world and the ability to be creative. Like a chameleon changes color, so are the people, very often in life it remained a mystery – who they really were. “He wears a mask” – we say about a dishonest, insincere person. Known since ancient times, mask was the main attribute of various magical rituals, rites of burial, the sacraments. Mask appears in a different guise of spirits and demons, hides specific human traits, remains unrecognized and misleading – such goals pursued a man wearing a mask.
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Fan Kaleidoscope. Audrey Hepburn as Natasha Rostova in the film War and peace

With the departure of “Belle Epoque” the most necessary accessory of a civilized woman – fan became thing of the past. From now on, the invention of antiquity, not only female but also male accessory, has become only attribute of bohemian, artistic image. Almost all ancient peoples have stories and legends associated with a Fan. One says that when Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit, Eve tore a branch from a nearby tree, began to fan it, overcoming the embarrassment of her own nakedness. Chinese sources tell us about the famous beauty Lamsa, who during protracted ceremony, tired of stuffy and severity of precious robes, began to fan her mask, which caused indescribable delight of others, following her example.
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