Past Trinkets & Beads Creations Discussions - Traveling within the World2024-03-28T14:11:37Zhttp://travelingwithintheworld.ning.com/group/trinketsandbeadscreations/forum?feed=yes&xn_auth=noThe Charm Bracelet History by Donna Morgantag:travelingwithintheworld.ning.com,2014-01-16:2185477:Topic:1947382014-01-16T20:54:24.317ZDept of PMM Artists & thingshttp://travelingwithintheworld.ning.com/profile/Artistsandthings
<p>Charm bracelets have a long history of superstitions. >From Ancient Egypt to Victorian England, modern paganism still lives with ancient good luck charms and amulets.In the sixties and seventies, the charm bracelet became popular, but charm bracelets had actually been around for thousands of years before the popularity boom. Amulets were hung from bracelets, a sort of superstitious collection of usually silver animals, hearts, and other lucky symbols. To most people it was a fad, but even…</p>
<p>Charm bracelets have a long history of superstitions. >From Ancient Egypt to Victorian England, modern paganism still lives with ancient good luck charms and amulets.In the sixties and seventies, the charm bracelet became popular, but charm bracelets had actually been around for thousands of years before the popularity boom. Amulets were hung from bracelets, a sort of superstitious collection of usually silver animals, hearts, and other lucky symbols. To most people it was a fad, but even today there are those who believe amulets possess some form of supernatural protective power.<br/> <br/> The word amulet is derived from "hamala," an Arabic word meaning "to carry." The hamala also refers to the necklace on which faithful Moslems hang their Korans. However, it is not just an Islamic tradition. Many other cultures have similar practices and beliefs.<br/> <br/> The charm bracelet dates back to at least 5000 BC. The Ancient Egyptians adorned their bracelets with the ankh, a life symbol, and the eye of Horus, their sun god. Like many cultures, they believed the amulets gave them some protection from evil. Even early Christians wore a copy of St. John's Gospel or a cross on a necklace, or put a copy of the Lord's Prayer in their shoes.<br/> <br/> Christianity brought about a new era of amulets and subsequent charm bracelets. When the old Celtic religion became unpopular in the Dark Ages, the church dubbed usually innocent pagans as witches. With high illiteracy and ignorance, the average person was easily influenced by the will of their more educated Christian leaders.<br/> <br/> Pagan rituals were linked to the powers of darkness or witchcraft. Fearful Christians became obsessed with mythical signs of evil: dangerous spirits, goblins, trolls, and imps, to mention a few. Rabbits, which habitually play in the moonlight, soon became misinterpreted as disguised witches. Witches were believed to use rabbits in their spells and potions. As a result, Christians quickly adopted the rabbit's foot as a protective talisman.<br/> <br/> The rabbit's foot was usually carried by hand, but smaller versions were attached to the charm bracelet. Even today this macabre charm symbolizes good luck. Tiny silver rabbits are also a popular addition to the modern charm bracelet.<br/> <br/> Early Christians adopted other pagan symbols of luck. An iron horseshoe with the opening facing heaven was readily guaranteed to ward off evil. Even teeth, usually animal in origin, were used, a practice dating back many thousands of years. Birthstones, coral, coins, rings, stones, and the well-known St. Christopher were and still are used.<br/> <br/> Late Victorian England saw the charm bracelet's popularity increase. Even the short-lived fad of wearing a violin's D string was thought to be lucky. In Italy, the red pepper was also revered.<br/> <br/> Hemp Charm Bracelet-Add charms or shells mini hagstones.<br/> <br/> Cut one 30-inch piece and one 90-inch piece of hemp. Fold the hemp twine in half and place the bend of the 30-inch piece in between the bend of the 90-inch piece.<br/> Make a knot one half inch from the bend with both pieces of twine, leaving a loop at the end. Pin the loop to your clothing -- ideally, to a pant leg -- with a large safety pin. Four strands will hang from the loop. Position one of the longer strands to the right-most side, and the other longer strand to the left-most side, leaving the shorter strands in the center.<br/> Hold the left long strand with your left hand and pass it over the two short center strands to create a "4" shape, then pass it under the long right-most strand to make a loop with the left long strand. Hold the right long strand in your right hand beneath where the left strand was passed under it, and pass the long right-most strand under the two center strands to make a backwards "4" shape. Insert the end of the right-most strand into the loop that was created by the left-most strand when you draped it over the two center strands. Pull the left-most and right-most strand ends to tighten the knot.<br/> Continue tying the long strands in the same pattern. Drape the left long strand over the two center strands and under the right long strand, and pass the right long strand under the two center strands, and then insert it into the loop made by the left most strand and tighten it.<br/> Add beads at even intervals on the bracelet by inserting the two center short strands through the bead. Slide the bead up to rest beneath the last knot you made while tying the bracelet, then pass the left strand over the two center cords, and then under the right long strand. Pass the right long strand under the center strands, and then insert it into the loop made by the left most strand. Pull the right and left long strands tight. Tie knot until the bracelet is 6 inches long or until it fits around your wrist.<br/> Hold the hemp strands together and tie them in a simple knot. Trim the ends from the knot to finish the bracelet.<a href="https://www.facebook.com/n/?photo.php&fbid=623450264358983&set=gm.303342226457412&type=1&relevant_count=1&aref=199648317&medium=email&mid=9412&n_m=travelerinbdfsm%40hotmail.com" style="color: #3b5998; text-decoration: none; display: block; line-height: 0; border: 1px #CCCCCC solid; padding: 3px;" class="ecxthumb c_nobdr t_prs" target="_blank"><img class="img" src="https://fbcdn-photos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/1604815_623450264358983_672026672_s.jpg" style="width: 90px;" alt="" width="90"/></a></p> Celtic Jewelry - How the History of the Past Can Make Your Jewelry Stand Out in a Crowdtag:travelingwithintheworld.ning.com,2011-02-27:2185477:Topic:1060762011-02-27T17:27:25.461ZDept of PMM Artists & thingshttp://travelingwithintheworld.ning.com/profile/Artistsandthings
Celtic jewelry is gaining more and more popularity<br />
well-loved by many as a symbol of eternity and faith.<br />
these days, although they have pretty much been a<br />
According to history, Celts used the cross as a symbol<br />
staple in many women's jewelry boxes. Its various<br />
of the four elements, namely air, water, fire and earth.<br />
designs have their own meanings behind them. They<br />
Some say that the four-point cross is also a symbol of<br />
are graceful, sophisticated and timeless. For<br />
the unity of soul, body, heart…
Celtic jewelry is gaining more and more popularity<br />
well-loved by many as a symbol of eternity and faith.<br />
these days, although they have pretty much been a<br />
According to history, Celts used the cross as a symbol<br />
staple in many women's jewelry boxes. Its various<br />
of the four elements, namely air, water, fire and earth.<br />
designs have their own meanings behind them. They<br />
Some say that the four-point cross is also a symbol of<br />
are graceful, sophisticated and timeless. For<br />
the unity of soul, body, heart and mind.<br />
fashionistas, they are a breath of fresh air from the<br />
The Celtic knot is by far by most popular and<br />
usual jewelry cuts and pieces they own.<br />
distinctive Celtic design. The knots are believed to<br />
History of Celtic jewelry<br />
have been used by Celtic tribes in the olden days to<br />
Celtic jewelry pieces are widely available in jewelry<br />
ward off evil and protect their families. The knot also<br />
stores, but if you prefer authentic ones, you will have<br />
may mean eternity. With or without regard for history,<br />
to get them from Ireland or Scotland. Celtic people<br />
the Celtic knot design adds an admirable edge to any<br />
once dominated the population of Western and<br />
jewelry piece.<br />
Mid-Europe. They were warriors, rulers and merchants.<br />
Claddagh rings are named after the town where they<br />
To date, descendants of the Celts are found in areas<br />
originated. They are symbolic of Irish life, and are<br />
on Scotland and Ireland. The Celts expressed<br />
believed to symbolize a lot of things. The ring with a<br />
craftsmanship by creating intricate jewelry from<br />
heart design symbolizes love, whereas the one with a<br />
bronze, silver and gold. Their designs, such as knots<br />
crown means loyalty, and the one held with two hands<br />
and crosses were a tribute to nature and faith. The<br />
means friendship. These rings were used as wedding<br />
Celts' love for jewelry-making has been passed down<br />
bands. They were worn with the heart design turned in<br />
to generations, and so Irish and Scottish jewelers<br />
to mean marital commitment.<br />
continue to create gorgeous pieces of Celtic jewelry<br />
Where to find them<br />
today.<br />
Many jewelry shops sell Celtic jewelry, but if you want<br />
Popular designs<br />
authentic pieces, you can get them in Ireland or<br />
The three most popular Celtic designs for jewelry are<br />
Scotland where there are Celtic jewelers who still<br />
the cross, knots, and rings. The Celtic cross is<br />
uphold the tradition of Celtic jewelry-making.<br />
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</table> Silver Cross Pendants - One Stylish Look With a Unique Variety of Meaningstag:travelingwithintheworld.ning.com,2011-02-27:2185477:Topic:1061322011-02-27T17:19:52.553ZDept of PMM Artists & thingshttp://travelingwithintheworld.ning.com/profile/Artistsandthings
Today many people are wearing silver cross pendants<br />
cross came to be.<br />
on their necklaces to express their beliefs, their<br />
The Solar cross is an even sided cross with a circle all<br />
heritage, or simply their sense of style. While wearing<br />
the way around it. The circular shape emphasizes the<br />
silver cross pendants is nothing new, you might be<br />
sun and the recurring circle type pattern of the<br />
surprised that a more primitive form of this attire has<br />
seasons. If you look there will be four quadrants,…
Today many people are wearing silver cross pendants<br />
cross came to be.<br />
on their necklaces to express their beliefs, their<br />
The Solar cross is an even sided cross with a circle all<br />
heritage, or simply their sense of style. While wearing<br />
the way around it. The circular shape emphasizes the<br />
silver cross pendants is nothing new, you might be<br />
sun and the recurring circle type pattern of the<br />
surprised that a more primitive form of this attire has<br />
seasons. If you look there will be four quadrants, which<br />
been found to date back to even before Christ was<br />
represent spring, summer, fall, and winter. Interestingly<br />
born. While most people understand what the cross<br />
this is known to be one of the oldest symbols in the<br />
means in terms of Christianity, you might be surprised<br />
world and has appeared in European, Indian, American,<br />
that the cross actually has many different and unique<br />
and even Asian art.<br />
meanings.<br />
While many types of materials can be used to create<br />
The most common, the Christian cross, is the one that<br />
these types of pendants, silver is usually the most<br />
you will typically find on most individuals are represents<br />
preferred for several different reasons. First off silver<br />
Christianity and the cross that Christ died on to save<br />
is usually reasonably priced when compared to titanium<br />
the world of their sins. The Celtic cross, while still a<br />
or gold. Silver also holds to wear and tear rather well<br />
religious cross, can be seen as a symbol of heritage<br />
and can withstand a significant amount of abuse.<br />
just as much as it can be a symbol of faith. There is a<br />
Another benefit of having a silver cross pendant is that<br />
lot of evidence that many backgrounds such as the<br />
as long as it is properly taken care of it will shine<br />
Scottish, the Welsh, and Irish have used this cross in<br />
brilliantly for years to come. For these reasons many<br />
their culture way before Christ was born and before<br />
people are purchasing silver cross pendants instead of<br />
the Celtic people became converted to Christianity. Old<br />
titanium or gold because it allows them to express<br />
Irish legends tell us that St. Patrick himself drew a Latin<br />
themselves in a stylish and unique look, while not<br />
cross and then drew a circle over it to incorporate a<br />
breaking their pocketbook.<br />
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</table> Types of Promise Ringstag:travelingwithintheworld.ning.com,2011-02-27:2185477:Topic:1063082011-02-27T17:19:08.001ZDept of PMM Artists & thingshttp://travelingwithintheworld.ning.com/profile/Artistsandthings
A promise ring is most commonly associated with a<br />
commitment to be joined together forever.<br />
man gifting a woman a ring as a promise of marriage<br />
Most promise ring are simple mass market rings that<br />
in the near future. A good example is a claddagh ring.<br />
don't cost a lot of money. Claddagh rings, though make<br />
The ancient Celtic people have used Claddagh rings<br />
far better choices as promise rings. It is because of<br />
for centuries as promise rings.<br />
the intricate artwork and the meanings attached to…
A promise ring is most commonly associated with a<br />
commitment to be joined together forever.<br />
man gifting a woman a ring as a promise of marriage<br />
Most promise ring are simple mass market rings that<br />
in the near future. A good example is a claddagh ring.<br />
don't cost a lot of money. Claddagh rings, though make<br />
The ancient Celtic people have used Claddagh rings<br />
far better choices as promise rings. It is because of<br />
for centuries as promise rings.<br />
the intricate artwork and the meanings attached to the<br />
Sometimes though, a promise ring has different uses<br />
symbols on the ring. The deep significance of these<br />
than what is commonly used. Rather than simply<br />
Celtic rings are well-documented and besides the<br />
limiting its use to pre-engagement rings, there are a<br />
meanings associated with the metal artwork, there is<br />
number of other common uses. Basically it all boils<br />
also the meaning behind the way the rings are worn.<br />
down to symbolically representing a promise to oneself<br />
Claddagh designs consist of a heart (representing<br />
or to another party.<br />
love) and are topped by a crown (representing loyalty)<br />
These other promises can be:<br />
which are both held by two hands (representing<br />
1. For best or special friends - Between best friends,<br />
friendship). A Claddagh ring, depending on the material<br />
the rings are given in cases such as when a friend is<br />
used and the manufacturer, can range anywhere from<br />
moving away or as a symbol of their long-lasting<br />
thirty dollars to several hundred or over a thousand<br />
friendship. Such rings are a perfect way of indicating a<br />
dollars.<br />
special friendship. Claddagh rings, for example, are<br />
The fine details contained within a Claddagh ring make<br />
given between friends along with the saying "Let love<br />
them excellent pre-engagement or engagement gifts.<br />
and friendship reign".<br />
As with most cultures, wearing the ring on the left ring<br />
2. For chastity - Chastity is another use of a promise<br />
finger is an indication that the person is attached. In this<br />
ring. While it can be given by a boyfriend or girlfriend to<br />
case, a Claddagh ring worn with the symbols facing<br />
their partner, it is usually given by parents to their child<br />
inwards on the left hand indicates that the person is<br />
as a reminder to be chaste or pure prior to being<br />
married.<br />
married. Another name for such rings are purity rings.<br />
This deep significance in the ring's symbols and the<br />
3. For monogamy - Promise rings can also act as a<br />
way it is worn has resulted in Celtic jewelry<br />
symbol of monogamy for two people who haven't<br />
experiencing an upsurge in demand now as more<br />
decided on marriage yet. Claddagh rings are<br />
couples are choosing Celtic wedding rings over<br />
exchanged between couples to indicate their<br />
traditional wedding rings for their wedding ceremony.<br />
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</table> Glass and Ambertag:travelingwithintheworld.ning.com,2011-02-14:2185477:Topic:1022212011-02-14T19:16:54.592ZDept of PMM Artists & thingshttp://travelingwithintheworld.ning.com/profile/Artistsandthings
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<caption align="bottom">A classic string of original Viking glass beads. The most beads found in a male grave in Britain is three, from a combination of five different positions on the body. In a female grave though, the average number of beads is in the region of two hundred, but this doesn't mean that all women were wealthy enough to have more than the odd one.…</caption><tbody><tr><td></td>
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<caption align="bottom">A classic string of original Viking glass beads. The most beads found in a male grave in Britain is three, from a combination of five different positions on the body. In a female grave though, the average number of beads is in the region of two hundred, but this doesn't mean that all women were wealthy enough to have more than the odd one.</caption><tbody><tr><td></td>
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<p>Glass was used in a number of ways by the Saxons and Vikings; for drinking vessels, window glass, jewellery, enamelling and beads.</p>
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<p>Remains of glass making furnaces have been found in York and Glastonbury. There is further evidence for glass making in Kent, Jarrow, Barking Abbey, Gloucester and Lincoln, and Bede documents glass making in England. Traces of glass working have also been found at Ribe in Denmark and Hedeby in northern Germany, although finds of glass items come from all over Europe.</p>
<p>There were two main ways of making glass: either from the raw materials of quartz and soda (or by the late tenth century, quartz and potash), or more usually by melting down broken glass (cullet) and then re-using it.</p>
<p>It goes without saying that the broken glass or cullet used had to be of the required colour or clear, so that no expensive new minerals were added to colour it. The problem of getting enough of one colour was overcome by importing blocks of coloured glass taken from continental mosaics (tesserae) and windows (so there's nothing new in recycling glass!).</p>
<p>Making glass from the raw materials was more difficult. The quartz generally came from clean, stone-free sand, usually river-bed sand. The soda was imported from the eastern Mediterranean in a form called natron. Potash (made by passing water through burnt wood or root vegetables), was obtained by evaporating strong alkali solutions of ash. The sand, natron or potash were then mixed together and heated in an oven for several days. The mixture was constantly raked and stirred to allow waste gasses to escape. It was then broken up and put into a crucible, often with cullet added, and melted in a furnace. If all went well glass was formed; however, the large lumps of partly formed waste glass which have been excavated, show how difficult the process could be.</p>
<p>When glass is made in this fashion, it is clear or has a slight green tinge. In order to colour it minerals were added; copper for red, blue or green, iron for black, tin for yellow. Coloured glass found includes pale blue, dark blue, blue-green, emerald green, olive green, amber, yellow-brown, red and black.</p>
<p>Glass vessels were also made, one of the commonest excavated styles being the 'claw beaker' of the pagan period. (These were actually poor representations of a common Roman glass vessel that had dolphins leaping down it's sides which then became over time more and more crude and simplified. Whilst we see them as 'claws', the Germans call them 'trunks' as in Elephant trunks.). Glass bowls are known although excavated examples are fairly uncommon. Conical drinking vessels occur during the earlier Viking period, but are by no means common, and were mostly imported from the Rhineland. This style seems to have been superseded by the bag beaker later on.</p>
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<p>To make glass containers, the craftsman collected a blob of molten glass on the end of a hollow rod and blew into it. By careful blowing, spinning and using specialised tools and moulds, vessels of quite complicated shapes could be manufactured. Drinking glasses and bowls were sometimes decorated with trails of molten glass applied to their outer surface. Excavated finds dated to the Later Anglo-Saxon period would suggest that their glassware was getting cruder. An example of a bag-beaker from Winchester is pretty awful looking. This may be a false view due in part to the relative few finds, which seems to at odds with the general development elsewhere at that time.</p>
<p>Glass finger rings were popular and were made either by shaping molten glass around a metal rod of the right diameter or by placing a blob of molten glass on the point of an iron cone, which was then spun causing the glass to roll evenly down the cone until the desired size of ring was reached.</p>
<p>Glass was also used in jewellery in the same way as semi-precious stones. Glass playing pieces for board games have also been found in some numbers. In the later Anglo-Saxon period, glass was used modestly for some church windows. To date only blue glass seems to have been found, with the odd pieces displaying some decorative brushwork on them. Clear window glass may have been used in the homes of a few wealthy people although this is not certain.</p>
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<p>One of the commonest uses for glass was as beads. The glass for these often had lead oxide added to give the beads extra sparkle. It also made the material easier to work as it lowered the melting temperature. Glass beads were made by using a 'pontil' rod to pick a blob of molten glass from a crucible. Tongs were then used to form a globular bead, or by using other tools to form other shapes.</p>
<p>Some shapes were made by rolling the bead on a smooth marble block whilst the glass was still soft. The beads were left plain or decorated with blobs or trails of a different coloured glass. These could be left raised, or pressed right in to produce a smooth bead. Some of the Scandinavian glass beads were very colourful with a mosaic pattern of glass (called 'millefiori', meaning thousands of flowers) applied to the surface of the bead. This effect was achieved by a series of quite complex actions.</p>
<p>Each different pattern was obtained by fusing composite coloured glass rods in varying combinations, and these rods themselves were formed by bunching and folding over others, and then drawing out the hot glass into narrow rods much like seaside rock. A necklace of these beads was the product of great expertise and skill, as well as being a beautiful piece of costume jewellery.</p>
<p>Beads have been excavated in large numbers from early period female Viking graves. Three hundred or so is not uncommon, although these were the smaller single coloured type. In male Viking graves, the number of beads is drastically different. In the whole of the British Isles, there have been no more than three beads found in any one grave, and only five distinct positions where they were situated. These usually comprise of two at the neck, with an additional one to possibly close a garment, and two at the waist. One of these may have fastened a pouch and the other which was occasionally found as low as the knee, could have been a charm or keepsake.</p>
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<p>The pre-Christian Anglo-Saxons were also keen on beads, in the same manner as the Vikings. However, later on in the 8th-11th centuries their use became uncommon in both sexes. It is uncertain whether this coincides with the spread of Christianity, although their flamboyant use amongst the Vikings also declined over a similar period of time. The Christian practice of burying their dead without grave goods does not assist in our interpretations. It could be that strings of beads were still worn underneath garments, however, the whole practice may also have been viewed by then as unsophisticated.</p>
<p>Glass is also used to produce enamel. Enamel is essentially just coloured glass ground up into a fine powder. The powder is usually placed on a bronze piece of jewellery that has a low surround. When the piece is heated up so that the glass melts, it flows to fill the area colouring it and fuses to the background. After cooling slowly, the piece is then ground to remove excess enamel, and polished. Several colours were commonly used on a piece, each in a separate 'field' to prevent the enamel from running together blurring the final piece.</p>
<p>It is interesting to note that the glass bead workshops found at Clifford Street in York were associated with an amber bead industry, suggesting that bead making was completely separate from the glass industry. Amber beads were made by taking a block of amber, cutting it to roughly the right shape and drilling a hole through it. Its final shape was attained by turning it on a bow lathe before polishing with coarse sand and fine powder. Wedge shaped beads were also made, and they would often be mixed on a necklace, with perhaps a wedge shaped pendant as the centre-piece.</p>
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<p>Amber is the fossilised resin of ancient pine trees, submerged under the sea in thin veins. It can be gathered along the North Sea coasts of East Anglia, south-west Jutland and the southern shores of the Baltic. It is washed loose onto beaches from its deposits by sea currents, causing it to float to the surface, especially during violent storms. Ranging in colour from a dark, reddish brown to a translucent straw, it was a treasured material, particularly by the Vikings. Other uses for amber, apart from bead making included pendants, amulets, gaming pieces, spindle-whorls, and finger rings.</p>
<p>We can deduce the processes that were employed by examining the remains of discarded or lost, part worked or broken beads, for wear or tooling marks. A finger ring would require a large piece of amber. This would be cut into slices with a saw, and then shaped with a chisel until it was roughly circular. The disc was placed on a bow lathe; the outside was polished and shaped and the centre was cut out to form a ring. The centre piece could then be used to make a bead. Many half finished rings were found in York, demonstrating that the amber worker often made mistakes with this time consuming tricky process and brittle material.</p>
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<caption align="bottom"><a href="http://www.regia.org/glass.htm">http://www.regia.org/glass.htm</a> where the pictures are</caption><tbody><tr><td></td>
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<h3>References:</h3>
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<dd>On Divers Arts, by Theophilus, translated by J.G.Hawthorne and C.S.Smith. Dover publications. ISBN: 0-486-23784-2.</dd>
</dl> Baltic Amber Jewelrytag:travelingwithintheworld.ning.com,2011-01-30:2185477:Topic:973412011-01-30T21:38:09.144ZDept of PMM Artists & thingshttp://travelingwithintheworld.ning.com/profile/Artistsandthings
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<p align="center"><b><font color="#CC6600" face="Arial" size="7">Baltic Amber Jewelry</font></b></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"><span style="color: #cc6600; font-size: 11pt;">Amber is a rare semi-precious gem. It is actually not a stone, gem or mineral but the fossilized resin (not sap) of giant coniferous trees, larger than our present-day redwoods, which lived from 40 to 65 million years ago. At the time, the region where these trees grew was within a sub-tropical temperate climate, and…</span></p>
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<p align="center"><b><font face="Arial" size="7" color="#CC6600">Baltic Amber Jewelry</font></b></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"><span style="color: #cc6600; font-size: 11pt;">Amber is a rare semi-precious gem. It is actually not a stone, gem or mineral but the fossilized resin (not sap) of giant coniferous trees, larger than our present-day redwoods, which lived from 40 to 65 million years ago. At the time, the region where these trees grew was within a sub-tropical temperate climate, and primeval forests grew plentifully.</span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"><span style="color: #cc6600; font-size: 11pt;">Today scientists have named the now-extinct tree <i>Pinus Succinifera</i>. While it is believed that most Baltic amber resin found today originated with these trees, the actual chemical composition varies and it may have come from any number of species of trees including deciduous ones. According to the experts, true amber is only found in the Baltic Sea; however “amber” from dozens of other countries is sold, even though officially it should be called copal or gums. Often this “amber” is actually a much younger resin we call gums or copal and come from tropical regions such as The Dominican Republic in the</span> <span style="color: #cc6600; font-size: 11pt;">Caribbean</span><span style="color: #cc6600; font-size: 11pt;">,</span> <span style="color: #cc6600; font-size: 11pt;">Brazil</span><span style="color: #cc6600; font-size: 11pt;">, Columbia, Burma and New Zealand. Much of this amber comes from bean trees and does not have the fine qualities that Baltic Amber possesses. <br/><br/>Thick “amber forests” covered much of present-day central and northern Europe millions of years ago. The fossilized resin that we call Amber has undergone myriad physical and chemical processes through the eons, finally resulting in amber. Baltic amber can be defined, in the simplest way, as a fossil resin from coniferous trees containing succinic acid. Amber is not fossilized tree sap (which is the lifeblood of a tree – carrying water and nutrients) but is resin – which differs from sap in that it is a defense and healing mechanism of the tree – repairing broken branches and gumming up insects. </span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"><span style="color: #cc6600; font-size: 11pt;">Some trees produce excess resin as part of their natural lifecycle (think cherry trees if you’ve ever seen one with sticky reddish sap on the trunk or pine trees). Through cataclysmic events (flash floods, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis), the trees and the resin becomes buried in oxygen poor environments – eventually being buried so deep that heat from the planet’s core and intense pressures form it into what we know as Amber. </span> <font color="#CC6600"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">T</span></font><span style="color: #cc6600; font-size: 11pt;">he organic part of the tree eventually decays but due in part to its plastic-like polymers and anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties, the resin under certain circumstances is “fossilized”, however it is not actually replaced by minerals like most fossils. </span> <span style="color: #cc6600; font-size: 11pt;">Essentially amber is natures' plastic - it is fully polymerized - that is, all the liquid components have been eliminated (</span><font color="#CC6600"><span class="secondary-bf">condensation polymerization). </span></font> <span style="color: #cc6600; font-size: 11pt;"><br/><br/>Amber is one of the few precious substances on earth we consider a gem which is not of mineral origin. Diamonds and jet - both derived from various stages of coal - and amber are the only gems of vegetative origin. The valuation of any gemstone is tied directly to its rarity. The level of succinite contained in amber as well as the rarity of its color determines its quality and value. Baltic amber contains the highest level of succinic acid, and thus Baltic amber is the most highly valued form. Amber can be found in incredible varieties as it comes in 256 defined colors; ranging from the traditional honey amber one thinks of, to green, cognac (reddish in color), orange, yellow, champagne, white (milk)and even butterscotch. Cherry amber (red) does not occur naturally and has been heat treated or is a reproduction of glass or plastic, including bakelite. <br/><br/>Amber was transported by rivers from</span> <span style="color: #cc6600; font-size: 11pt;">Scandinavia</span> <span style="color: #cc6600; font-size: 11pt;">and what is now the</span> <span style="color: #cc6600; font-size: 11pt;">Baltic Sea, and deposited in the so-called "blue earth" of the delta between Chlapowo and the Sambian Peninsula in the Baltic regions. This large delta, from Karwia near Chlapowo in Poland spread up the Sambian Peninsula and made deposits in the northern, shallow shelf of the epicontinental marine basin of the Eocene. It can and is mined from these deep layers, but much amber also works its way to the surface of the ocean bottom and is churned up by storms and geological events and floats to the surface and is eventually washed ashore (and is sometimes found in fishing nets!). The fact that amber floats in seawater surprises many people but it's true!<br/><br/>Baltic amber, which is sometimes also known as succinite (only the latter is used in Polish goods) comes from the quaternary beds which are in Polish territory, and the tertiary beds on the Sambian Peninsula in Russia. Other fossil resins, of which about one hundred have been identified, either do not contain succinite acid at all, or contain less than three per cent.</span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"><span style="color: #cc6600; font-size: 11pt;">Certain varieties of this “young” amber, properly called copal or gums may also be worked like amber but usually have inferior characteristics. Insect inclusions in Baltic Amber are quite rare – about one in every 10,000 pieces whereas insect inclusions in tropical (younger) copals are closer to one in ten pieces. </span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"><span style="color: #cc6600; font-size: 11pt;">Imagine a redwood forest today – very quiet, with few animals and insects. Now imagine the opposite – a tropical rainforest and you can understand why insects in Baltic amber are so much rarer! Those found in Baltic amber are usually tiny and all alone while pieces from the tropics typically are larger and have lots of insects in a single piece. Everyone thinks of Jurassic Park when they hear about Amber, and while yes, the insects are largely preserved intact for millions of years, it is questionable and improbable that DNA (even fragments) can be preserved over such long time periods. Some scientists have claimed finding DNA, but most have been contaminated samples. <br/><br/>In nature amber is found in naturally defined drip forms, similar to stalactites, drops, or as fillings in the crevices of the once richly resinous trees. Internal natural casts of amber are very revealing forms of fossils — the proof of the existence of trees of unbelievable size. There are pieces of amber weighing as little as 2 to 3 grams, while the biggest known lump weighs 9.75 kilograms (22 pounds). Amber carried a long way from its source, or ground by the action of moving water, may be found in boulders or grains which are rounded to different degrees. Often a crust will form on the outside of raw amber pieces, both protecting and hiding the natural beauty within that must be carefully worked to be brought out. This amber is know as "rind amber" and is highly regarded for fine jewelry. <br/><br/>The rich history of the amber — from the time it is a fluid resin flowing from the trees until the time it is found on the beach — contributes to the exceptional beauty of Polish Baltic amber, as it lies below sea-level for 40-60 million years in the conserving environment of the "blue earth”. Natural weathering and exposure to heat, pressure and mineral presences enrich the beauty of the amber. Amber of various qualities may also come from other</span> <span style="color: #cc6600; font-size: 11pt;">Baltic Sea</span> <span style="color: #cc6600; font-size: 11pt;">states and may also be found in</span> <span style="color: #cc6600; font-size: 11pt;">East Africa from beds in the Indian Ocean. By far the best quality amber comes from the beds just north of Gdansk, a Polish town near the Baltic Sea.</span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"><span style="color: #cc6600; font-size: 11pt;"> Scott of Zanzibar Tribal Art first discovered amber and its allure on a trip to Poland back in the early 1990s. Scott made his first buying trip to Lithuania in 2005 and a small percentage of our Amber is from here – esp. the faceted pieces (which is a closely guarded secret as to how it is done!) Prior to World War II, amber was commonly available in the west; following the closure of Russia and Poland during the Cold War, Amber became very scarce. With the fall of the Iron Curtain amber is once again coming from the Baltic in modest quantities. Though quality varies, we hand select all of the amber pieces we offer, assuring only the highest quality. We attempt to sell only natural ambers and avoid heat treated, linseed oil boiled, dyed, recombined, pressed or other treated ambers that are commonly offered by other sellers. Buyer beware! If we see 100 clients wearing "amber" entering our store, 99 out of those 100 are wearing fake amber!</span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"><span style="color: #cc6600; font-size: 11pt;">Most of our amber is crafted by several small family-owned workshops in the seaside community of Gdansk in northern Poland with some pieces also from two family run workshops in</span> <span style="color: #cc6600; font-size: 11pt;">Lithuania</span><span style="color: #cc6600; font-size: 11pt;">. We hand-pick about 75% of our pieces on buying trips and the remaining 25% we leave to our artisans to create and send to us. </span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"><span style="color: #cc6600; font-size: 11pt;">Most of our inventory is made of one-of-a-kind pieces. </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: center;"><b><u><span style="color: #cc6600;">CARING FOR & CLEANING YOUR AMBER JEWELRY:</span></u></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc6600; font-size: 11pt;">Care should be taken when wearing and or cleaning your amber jewelry, as amber is a soft fine gemstone and can be damaged by improper wear or the use of gritty cleaning pastes or ultrasonic cleaners. </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc6600; font-size: 11pt;">It is not brittle or fragile but should be treated with the respect it deserves! <b><u>You should treat your amber jewelry as you would a fine piece of jewelry</u></b>: Do not strike it against hard surfaces and do not drop it. You should avoid wearing rings while washing your hands or doing dishes and remove amber jewelry before showering, bathing or swimming – water doesn’t harm the amber but soap and chlorine does. </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc6600; font-size: 11pt;">Keep it out of sunlight when not being worn. Sweat and oils can also cloud amber so it should be removed during workouts. </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc6600; font-size: 11pt;">We recommend polishing the silver part of the jewelry with a soft jeweler’s cloth to keep tarnish down. You can also gently wash away dirt and grime from the amber with the same cloth, lightly moistened or under running water (dry with a soft cloth). </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc6600; font-size: 11pt;">Do use ionic cleaners (not sonic cleaners).</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc6600; font-size: 11pt;">Do NOT use jewelry cloths with polishing compounds (it might scratch the amber).</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc6600; font-size: 11pt;"><b><i><u>Do not use</u> chemical cleaners or a mechanical sonic or ultrasonic cleaning machine to clean your amber jewelry</i></b>. </span></p>
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</table> Jewelry--All That Glitters Can Be Gold by Larry Dentontag:travelingwithintheworld.ning.com,2011-01-21:2185477:Topic:912182011-01-21T21:24:05.782ZDept of PMM Artists & thingshttp://travelingwithintheworld.ning.com/profile/Artistsandthings
<p><font size="2"><font face="Arial" size="2"><b>(A Brief History of Jewelry)</b></font></font></p>
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<p><font size="2"><font face="Arial" size="2">Jewelry has been around nearly as long as human beings. The ability to trace the history of jewelry is due primarily to the custom, beginning with the earliest peoples, of burying the dead with their most valuable possessions. As far back as the Old Stone Age, people made and wore jewelry. Using their primitive tools, they fashioned necklaces of…</font></font></p>
<p><font size="2"><font face="Arial" size="2"><b>(A Brief History of Jewelry)</b></font></font></p>
<br />
<p><font size="2"><font face="Arial" size="2">Jewelry has been around nearly as long as human beings. The ability to trace the history of jewelry is due primarily to the custom, beginning with the earliest peoples, of burying the dead with their most valuable possessions. As far back as the Old Stone Age, people made and wore jewelry. Using their primitive tools, they fashioned necklaces of bones, animal teeth, pebbles, feathers, shells and leather. Although some were probably worn as adornments, others may have been worn to ward off dangers, evil spirits or sickness. Jewelry made of gold and silver is believed to have made its first appearance with the ancient Egyptians. Gold was used because of its warm, glowing color and its ease to work, being relatively soft and pliable.</font></font></p>
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<p><font size="2"><font face="Arial" size="2">The Egyptians were among the first to use precious stones in their jewelry using turquoise and lapis lazuli. Many tomb paintings show Egyptians wearing bracelets, brooches, headdresses, pendants and rings made of gold, silver and precious gemstones. Ancient Greek jewelry is noted for its elegance and grace. Many designs were used, but their specialty were adornments made from gold filigree of wire openwork in the naturalistic shapes of flowers, leaves and animals. Likewise, the Romans loved jewelry. As a means to show social status and wealth, rings made of gold, jet, and other materials were worn by both sexes. Sometimes many rings were worn on the same finger just as many people do today.</font></font></p>
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<p><font size="2"><font face="Arial" size="2">During the Middle Ages, styles and income levels rather discouraged the wearing of most jewelry. Brooches, however, became an important part of the wardrobe since they were practical in holding up tunics and cloaks. During this period rings were commonly worn by every social class. Rings were made of iron, copper, silver or gold with the metal often denoting the wearer's social standing.</font></font></p>
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<p><font size="2"><font face="Arial" size="2">During the Renaissance period more skin was shown with the new fashions and consequently more jewelry was worn. It was during this period that jewelry making truly became an art. Many Italian sculptors trained as goldsmiths and created stunning ornaments. Necklaces began to appear in large numbers and were worn by both sexes. Men's necklaces tended to be more like chains, while women's were more complicated with twists and beads added. It was the Elizabethan era where pearls became the rage. Earrings made their first appearance in Europe, where the most common were single pearl drops worn with a simple matching pearl choker.</font></font></p>
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<p><font size="2"><font face="Arial" size="2">The Georgian period of jewelry production began during the years when Great Britain was ruled by the four Georges, thus the name. The Georgian period encompassed most of the eighteenth century and into the first part of the nineteenth, through the American and French revolutions, and the development of a distinctive British identity after the Napoleonic Wars. Jewelry of the period was entirely handmade and consequently quite individualistic. Both men and women wore heavy, richly-jeweled chains, rings, shoe buckles, and hair ornaments, buttons and brooches. Gemstones were sewn onto clothing in an ostentatious display of wealth. Jewelry settings were designed to display the color and sparkle of the gemstones, particularly diamonds. The primary theme of the period was inspired by nature, including flowers, leafs, insects, birds and feathers.</font></font></p>
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<p><font size="2"><font face="Arial" size="2">The art of jewelry-making was refined during the Victorian period in Europe, and exquisite pieces such as lockets and cameos made their first appearance. Jewelry was being worn by nearly everyone by the middle of the nineteenth century. But, instead of being individually crafted, quality pieces could be stamped out and molded. Rather than unique pieces, jewelry could be created to a standard that was able to be duplicated. The new affordability brought quality jewelry to the middle-class consumer for the first time. Platinum came onto the jewelry scene at the end of the 20th century. During the early 20th century, industrialization, increasing job opportunities and rising family incomes brought jewelry within reach of the middle class. Large scale firms, created by jewelers such as Carl Faberge and Louis Tiffany achieved great success and amassed great wealth by making fine pieces for the newly wealthy.</font></font></p>
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<p><font size="2"><font face="Arial" size="2">The Roaring Twenties has been portrayed as a decadent era: the time of prohibition, gangsters, speakeasies and the Charleston. Women won the right to vote in 1920, and they asserted their new equality with radical fashion changes. Long dangling earrings, long strands of pearls or beads, diamond watches cocktail rings, and multiple bracelets on both upper and lower arms became rage. Platinum and precious stones, particularly diamonds, were wildly popular during this Art Deco period.</font></font></p>
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<p><font size="2"><font face="Arial" size="2">The Thirties were a decade of economic depression, both in the U.S. and Europe, and the Forties brought World War II. It was in the 1940's that flamboyant curves and bows in large pieces of jewelry became known as Retro Modern. Yellow gold regained prominence during these years, since wartime restrictions made platinum unavailable to the industry. Semi-precious stones and man-made rubies and sapphires became more popular due to the high wartime luxury taxes. Cocktail rings, bracelets, watches and necklaces were massive. Many of today's consumers would consider this style to be quite gaudy and flashy.</font></font></p>
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<p><font size="2"><font face="Arial" size="2">Platinum made an enormous comeback in the early 1990's and such pieces as the tennis bracelet and the diamond solitaire pendant made their first appearance at this time. Men began to wear bracelets, necklaces and even earrings in larger numbers as the Twentieth century drew to a close.</font></font></p>
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<p><font size="2"><font face="Arial" size="2">Today, jewelry is increasingly worn by both men and women. From bracelets and toe rings, to necklaces and tongue studs, jewelry continues to be a popular adornment for the human race and most body parts have been pierced to allow for the wearing of such.</font></font></p>
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<p><font size="2"><font face="Arial" size="2">About the Author:</font></font></p>
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<p><font size="2"><font face="Arial" size="2">Larry Denton is a retired history teacher having taught 33 years at Hobson High School in Hobson, Montana. He is currently Vice President of Elfin Enterprises, Inc., an Internet business dedicated to providing valuable and accurate information and resources on a variety of topics.</font></font></p> Moissanite Earrings, The Modern Brazilian Beetle.tag:travelingwithintheworld.ning.com,2011-01-21:2185477:Topic:912102011-01-21T21:11:56.291ZDept of PMM Artists & thingshttp://travelingwithintheworld.ning.com/profile/Artistsandthings
<span class="article"> <br />
</span><p><span class="article"><font face="Arial" size="2">The history of earrings is a varied history indeed. And the latest in the long line of female body adornments known as earrings are Moissanite earrings.</font></span></p>
<p><span class="article"><font face="Arial" size="2">Moissanite is taking the jewelry world by storm and moissanite earrings are no exception. Moissanite earrings, well earrings in general anyway, are a fashion with a long history. They are…</font></span></p>
<span class="article"> <br />
</span><p><span class="article"><font face="Arial" size="2">The history of earrings is a varied history indeed. And the latest in the long line of female body adornments known as earrings are Moissanite earrings.</font></span></p>
<p><span class="article"><font face="Arial" size="2">Moissanite is taking the jewelry world by storm and moissanite earrings are no exception. Moissanite earrings, well earrings in general anyway, are a fashion with a long history. They are believed to have originated around 3000 BC. Fashioned often in gold, silver or bronze, numerous examples of earrings dating from around 2500 BC to the time of Christ have been unearthed. Many fascinating examples have been uncovered from the royal graves in Iraq! Earring styles have varied enormously over the last 3500 years.</font></span></p>
<p><span class="article"><font face="Arial" size="2">Earrings were often buried with the dead, as were many other forms of fashionable jewelry of the time. This is fortunate as it allows us to determine exactly what earrings were popular at various times in our history.</font></span></p>
<p><span class="article"><font face="Arial" size="2">Around 1350 BC hoop earrings were popular which fitted inside a larger hole in the ear than would normally be the case. We can only imagine what it would have taken to produce the hole in the ear in the first place! Probably a small hoop earring at first, followed by larger ones as time progressed. Earrings had styles and motifs which fitted the times.</font></span></p>
<p><span class="article"><font face="Arial" size="2">For example in Greek society around the second century BC earrings often displayed motifs of the gods of the time. And precious stones also adorned the ears of the wealthy women of the time to display their riches. From around the third to the tenth century AD earrings were overtaken by head adornments which often covered the entire side of the face. And then for a few centuries after that long hair styles and high collars covered the ears and earrings lost their appeal. Earrings took a back seat for quite some time, but re-emerged unscathed around the sixteenth century.</font></span></p>
<p><span class="article"><font face="Arial" size="2">At the time women’s hairstyles crept up exposing the ears again and by the seventeenth century earrings were back in fashion. Earrings then were often long and heavy and extended use resulted in women suffering permanently stretched ear lobes. This can be clearly seen in pictures of Queen Victoria, a dedicated earring wearer.</font></span></p>
<p><span class="article"><font face="Arial" size="2">Perhaps she had a lot to do with the fashion of the time. Earring fashions varied with hairstyles. When the hair was worn on the top of the head the ears were prominently displayed and so earrings were essential, however from time to time the hairstyles favoured covering the ears, and earrings went back out of fashion.</font></span></p>
<p><span class="article"><font face="Arial" size="2">All sorts of exotic earring materials were used including in the late 1800s, of all things, Brazilian beetles for their attractive green color. Back then it was Brazilian beetles, now it’s moissanite. Using the newest of the modern earring materials, moissanite earrings are taking the earring world by storm.</font></span></p>
<p><span class="article"><font face="Arial" size="2">Why? Simply because moissanite earrings look as good as diamond earrings but without the price tag. Moissanite earrings feature moissanite stones, a modern alternative to diamonds which offer all the qualities of diamonds but at a fraction of the cost. Whether it’s simple round cut moissanite stones set into white or yellow gold to produce stunning moissanite stud earrings, three stone moissanite earrings in gold or solitaire moissanite earrings with lever back settings, any would complement the ear of the modern woman.</font></span></p>
<p><span class="article"><font face="Arial" size="2">Moissanite earrings, the modern Brazilian beetle!</font></span></p>
<p><span class="article"><font face="Arial" size="2">Find out more about <a target="_new" href="http://www.magic-of-moissanite.com/moissanite-earrings.html">Moissanite Earrings</a> as well as <a target="_new" href="http://www.magic-of-moissanite.com/moissanite-engagement-rings.html">Moissanite Engagement Rings</a> and other types of Moissanite rings at Peter's website, The Magic of Moissanite. 2005 Peter Crump.</font></span></p> Byddyng the Bedes: A Look At Paternosters Within The Medieval World By Domina Sorche Kyrkebytag:travelingwithintheworld.ning.com,2010-11-16:2185477:Topic:762092010-11-16T16:39:52.212ZDept of PMM Artists & thingshttp://travelingwithintheworld.ning.com/profile/Artistsandthings
<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><font size="3"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Garamond','serif'; COLOR: #d9d9d9; mso-themecolor: background1; mso-themeshade: 217">In the medieval European world, civilization was equated to membership in the Roman Catholic Church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> To be otherwise was unthinkable in polite society.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> While every European nation had its Jewry, those who followed Judaism were seen, at best,…</span></font></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Garamond','serif'; COLOR: #d9d9d9; mso-themecolor: background1; mso-themeshade: 217">In the medieval European world, civilization was equated to membership in the Roman Catholic Church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> To be otherwise was unthinkable in polite society.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> While every European nation had its Jewry, those who followed Judaism were seen, at best, as misguided fools who didn’t know the Messiah when He showed up and declared Himself, and at worst, Christ-killers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> There were special laws regulating specific clothing to be worn by Jews, constant petty harassment of Jewish people, and (especially at Christmas and Easter) pogroms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> In Moorish Spain, Muslims were often also subject to harassment and discriminatory laws.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> The Catholic Church was the only arbiter of theology, and so throughout the medieval period (the Reformation notwithstanding), the Church’s traditions carried much weight with both the clergy and laity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> This class will focus specifically on the Roman Catholic use of prayer beads, with suggestions for those non-Catholics who wish to adapt prayer beads to their personas without compromising their modern religious principles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> There will also be a practicum for those who wish to make their own paternosters.</span><span style="COLOR: #d9d9d9; mso-themecolor: background1; mso-themeshade: 217"></span></font></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="COLOR: #d9d9d9; mso-themecolor: background1; mso-themeshade: 217"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3"> </font></font></span></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Garamond','serif'; COLOR: #d9d9d9; mso-themecolor: background1; mso-themeshade: 217">The term “paternoster” comes directly from Latin – it means, literally, “Our Father.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> They are the opening words to what may be Christianity’s most common prayer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> Some paternosters were used literally – that is, keeping track of the number of devotional Our Fathers said, without the use of other devotional prayers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> Most commonly, though, a paternoster was used as a tool to pray not only the Our Father, but the Ave Maria/Hail Mary as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> Most Catholics both in period and modernly pray the Hail Mary in sets of ten, interspersed with the Our Father after every ten Hail Marys (referred to hereafter as a “decade”).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> The beads used to pray the Hail Mary were, in period, referred to as “Aves.” The Our Father beads were usually referred to as “gauds.” A paternoster might be called a pair of beads, a paternoster, a chaplet, or a rosary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> The last term is the modern Catholic preference, which is why, to avoid confusion, I refer to the medieval version as a paternoster or pair of beads.</span></font></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="COLOR: #d9d9d9; mso-themecolor: background1; mso-themeshade: 217"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3"> </font></font></span></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Garamond','serif'; COLOR: #d9d9d9; mso-themecolor: background1; mso-themeshade: 217">Let’s have a look at a typical paternoster in literature:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> In Chaucer’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Canterbury Tales</i>, his Prioress Madame Eglentyne is described as having “Of smal coral aboute hir arm she bar/A peire of bedes, gauded al with grene,/And thereon heng a brooch of gold ful shene,/On which ther was first write a crowned A,/ And after, ‘<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Amor vincit omnia</i>’.</span> </font></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="COLOR: #d9d9d9; mso-themecolor: background1; mso-themeshade: 217"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3"> </font></font></span></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Garamond','serif'; COLOR: #d9d9d9; mso-themecolor: background1; mso-themeshade: 217">Madame Eglentyne’s paternoster, then has Aves of coral and gauds of green stone, with a brooch or pendant in gold of a crowned A, which is engraved with the motto “Love conquers all.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> Notice that there is no reference of a cross or crucifix on her beads.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> This is a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">major</i> difference between a modern and medieval rosary.</span></font></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Garamond','serif'; COLOR: #d9d9d9; mso-themecolor: background1; mso-themeshade: 217"> </span></font></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Garamond','serif'; COLOR: #d9d9d9; mso-themecolor: background1; mso-themeshade: 217">To see more differences, look below:</span> </font></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="COLOR: #d9d9d9; mso-themecolor: background1; mso-themeshade: 217"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3"> </font></font></span></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="COLOR: #d9d9d9; mso-themecolor: background1; mso-themeshade: 217"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3"> </font></font></span></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Garamond','serif'; COLOR: #d9d9d9; mso-themecolor: background1; mso-themeshade: 217">Paternosters did not need to be a long loop of beads with a cross at the end – many men wore “tenners,” a pair of beads with tassels at both ends, or perhaps a finger ring at one end to wear while praying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> The paternoster on the right, incidentally, is one of the very few I have seen with beads that are graduated in size.</span></font></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="COLOR: #d9d9d9; mso-themecolor: background1; mso-themeshade: 217"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3"> </font></font></span></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Garamond','serif'; COLOR: #d9d9d9; mso-themecolor: background1; mso-themeshade: 217">The mother’s paternoster shows another way to wear the beads.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> Hers is the more traditional loop style hanging off her belt with a religious medal attached to her beads.</span></font></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="COLOR: #d9d9d9; mso-themecolor: background1; mso-themeshade: 217"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3"> </font></font></span></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Garamond','serif'; COLOR: #d9d9d9; mso-themecolor: background1; mso-themeshade: 217">This paternoster (“The Chatsworth Paternoster”) is made of boxwood with intricately carved biblical scenes inside each of the beads.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> This was one of Henry VIII’s many paternosters, and is of particular interest because it was given to the King by Thomas Cardinal Wolsey…after the King broke with Rome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> In other words, it is one of the first Anglican paternosters in existence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> It’s also one of the earliest with metal chain-link construction instead of being strung on linen or silk thread.</span></font></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="COLOR: #d9d9d9; mso-themecolor: background1; mso-themeshade: 217"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3"> </font></font></span></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Garamond','serif'; COLOR: #d9d9d9; mso-themecolor: background1; mso-themeshade: 217">All of these paternosters have several things in common – they are all made of rich materials.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> Madame Eglentyne’s paternoster includes rare coral beads and a gold brooch; we may infer that the green gauds are semi-precious or precious stones, since gauds were generally larger, finer, and more expensive beads than the Aves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> The first two paternosters pictured are jasper and chalcedony, with gold accents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> The donor portrait of a mother and daughter pictures a parternoster of pearls, gauded with gold, and the boxwood paternoster is made valuable by the incredible carving, as well as the gold cross attached to it.</span></font></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="COLOR: #d9d9d9; mso-themecolor: background1; mso-themeshade: 217"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3"> </font></font></span></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Garamond','serif'; COLOR: #d9d9d9; mso-themecolor: background1; mso-themeshade: 217">Construction of medieval paternosters was generally simple:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> A string or loop of beads, strung freely on a cord, with a tassel, ornate bead, or medal of some type at one or both ends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> This construction is seen most often in paintings from the period, such as the Arnolfini marriage portrait or in this painting of St. Mary Magdalen reading (the paternoster is held by St. Joseph):</span></font></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="COLOR: #d9d9d9; mso-themecolor: background1; mso-themeshade: 217"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3"> </font></font></span></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="COLOR: #d9d9d9; mso-themecolor: background1; mso-themeshade: 217"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3"> </font></font></span></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Garamond','serif'; COLOR: #d9d9d9; mso-themecolor: background1; mso-themeshade: 217">Often within the string of beads one will find a relic pouch or a medal of a favorite saint: </span></font></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="COLOR: #d9d9d9; mso-themecolor: background1; mso-themeshade: 217"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3"> </font></font></span></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Garamond','serif'; COLOR: #d9d9d9; mso-themecolor: background1; mso-themeshade: 217">Again, some paternosters have a finger ring to make holding the paternoster easier during devotions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> In my experience, modern chain-link construction is very difficult to document during the medieval period.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> It is much more likely that paternosters were strung on silk or linen cord for durability and flexibility.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> While wool cording is possible, since wool was a period material, it is unlikely that wool was used due to its likelihood of fraying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> Linen and silk fibers are much longer and thus less prone to splitting and breakage.</span></font></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="COLOR: #d9d9d9; mso-themecolor: background1; mso-themeshade: 217"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3"> </font></font></span></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Garamond','serif'; COLOR: #d9d9d9; mso-themecolor: background1; mso-themeshade: 217">Wearing a paternoster in a period fashion can run the gamut – there seem to be paintings and woodcuts of people wearing their beads in just about every imaginable way!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> Looped onto the belt seems to be a popular method, as well as tying the beads to the belt to drape attractively.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> There are several paintings and illuminations which show a paternoster pinned to a person’s shoulder or sleeve with a brooch to keep the person’s hands free.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> Some people apparently wore the paternoster looped several times around the wrist as a particularly devout bracelet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> There are also quite a few woodcuts of folks wearing their beads around the neck as a necklace (something which would set my very Catholic grandmother to spinning in her grave – I was taught that wearing a modern rosary like that is very disrespectful!).</span></font></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="COLOR: #d9d9d9; mso-themecolor: background1; mso-themeshade: 217"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3"> </font></font></span></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Garamond','serif'; COLOR: #d9d9d9; mso-themecolor: background1; mso-themeshade: 217">While a paternoster is first and foremost a religious device, it also serves to advertise the wearer’s social status and piety.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> Even if you never use it as anything other than a pretty accessory, people will be impressed that you thought to wear one – it’s something that not a lot of people in our various organizations seem to do!</span></font></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="COLOR: #d9d9d9; mso-themecolor: background1; mso-themeshade: 217"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3"> </font></font></span></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Garamond','serif'; COLOR: #d9d9d9; mso-themecolor: background1; mso-themeshade: 217">Note for those who are non-Catholic/non-Christian:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> Because a cross or crucifix or other specifically Christian symbols are not necessary, it is possible to use a set of prayer beads for prayer to any diety you believe in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> If, say, a pagan wishes to carry a set of medieval-style prayer beads, there are rune charms available at metaphysical shops in this area; I have seen goddess charms available in a couple of different places – please feel free to ask me!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> I would also suggest filling a “relic pouch” with a rune or two, or perhaps a bit of incense.</span></font></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="COLOR: #d9d9d9; mso-themecolor: background1; mso-themeshade: 217"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3"> </font></font></span></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Garamond','serif'; COLOR: #d9d9d9; mso-themecolor: background1; mso-themeshade: 217">Muslims also use prayer beads, called a tasbih.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> Buddhists use a mala for meditation and prayer as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> As far as I am aware, Jews do not have a tradition of prayer beads; instead, it is possible to make and wear phylacteries.</span></font></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="COLOR: #d9d9d9; mso-themecolor: background1; mso-themeshade: 217"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3"> </font></font></span></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Garamond','serif'; COLOR: #d9d9d9; mso-themecolor: background1; mso-themeshade: 217">Prayers for the Catholic/Christian paternoster in both Latin and English:</span></font></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="COLOR: #d9d9d9; mso-themecolor: background1; mso-themeshade: 217"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3"> </font></font></span></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Garamond','serif'; COLOR: #d9d9d9; mso-themecolor: background1; mso-themeshade: 217">Pater Noster/Our Father:</span> </font></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="COLOR: #d9d9d9; mso-themecolor: background1; mso-themeshade: 217"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3"> </font></font></span></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoBodyText2"><font size="3"><em><span style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Garamond','serif'; COLOR: #d9d9d9; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-themecolor: background1; mso-themeshade: 217">PATER NOSTER, qui es in caelis, sanctificetur nomen tuum. Adveniat regnum tuum. Fiat voluntas tua, sicut in caelo et in terra. Panem nostrum quotidianum da nobis hodie, et dimitte nobis debita nostra sicut et nos dimittimus debitoribus nostris. Et ne nos inducas in tentationem, sed libera nos a malo. Amen.</span></em></font></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="COLOR: #d9d9d9; mso-themecolor: background1; mso-themeshade: 217"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3"> </font></font></span></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Garamond','serif'; COLOR: #d9d9d9; mso-themecolor: background1; mso-themeshade: 217">OUR FATHER, who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> Amen.</span></font></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="COLOR: #d9d9d9; mso-themecolor: background1; mso-themeshade: 217"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3"> </font></font></span></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Garamond','serif'; COLOR: #d9d9d9; mso-themecolor: background1; mso-themeshade: 217">Ave Maria/Hail Mary:</span></font></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="COLOR: #d9d9d9; mso-themecolor: background1; mso-themeshade: 217"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3"> </font></font></span></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoBodyText2"><font size="3"><em><span style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Garamond','serif'; COLOR: #d9d9d9; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-themecolor: background1; mso-themeshade: 217">AVE MARIA, gratia plena, Dominus tecum. Benedicta tu in mulieribus, et benedictus fructus ventris tui, Iesus. Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, ora pro nobis peccatoribus, nunc, et in hora mortis nostrae. Amen.</span></em></font></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="COLOR: #d9d9d9; mso-themecolor: background1; mso-themeshade: 217"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3"> </font></font></span></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Garamond','serif'; COLOR: #d9d9d9; mso-themecolor: background1; mso-themeshade: 217">HAIL MARY, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> Amen.</span></font></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="COLOR: #d9d9d9; mso-themecolor: background1; mso-themeshade: 217"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3"> </font></font></span></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Garamond','serif'; COLOR: #d9d9d9; mso-themecolor: background1; mso-themeshade: 217">For those who are really enthusiastic, the Credo/Creed:</span></font></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="COLOR: #d9d9d9; mso-themecolor: background1; mso-themeshade: 217"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3"> </font></font></span></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoBodyText2"><font size="3"><em><span style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Garamond','serif'; COLOR: #d9d9d9; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-themecolor: background1; mso-themeshade: 217">Credo in Deum Patrem omnipotentem, Creatorem caeli et terrae. Et in Iesum Christum, Filium eius unicum, Dominum nostrum, qui conceptus est de Spiritu Sancto, natus ex Maria Virgine, passus sub Pontio Pilato, crucifixus, mortuus, et sepultus, descendit ad infernos, tertia die resurrexit a mortuis, ascendit ad caelos, sedet ad dexteram Dei Patris omnipotentis, inde venturus est iudicare vivos et mortuos. Credo in Spiritum Sanctum, sanctam Ecclesiam catholicam, sanctorum communionem, remissionem peccatorum, carnis resurrectionem, vitam aeternam. Amen.</span></em></font></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="COLOR: #d9d9d9; mso-themecolor: background1; mso-themeshade: 217"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3"> </font></font></span></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Garamond','serif'; COLOR: #d9d9d9; mso-themecolor: background1; mso-themeshade: 217">I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.<br/>And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord: who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, <br/>and born of the Virgin Mary; suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell; the third day He arose again from the dead.<br/>He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty;<br/>from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, the Communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins,<br/>the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.</span></font></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="COLOR: #d9d9d9; mso-themecolor: background1; mso-themeshade: 217"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3"> </font></font></span></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Garamond','serif'; COLOR: #d9d9d9; mso-themecolor: background1; mso-themeshade: 217">So there you have it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> Take five minutes or so when things get hectic at an event, and “byd your bedes.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> Even if you just meditate on the cool beads between your fingers, the little bit of time you take to relax will leave you refreshed and ready to take on more challenges – the period way.</span></font></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="COLOR: #d9d9d9; mso-themecolor: background1; mso-themeshade: 217"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3"> </font></font></span></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Garamond','serif'; COLOR: #d9d9d9; mso-themecolor: background1; mso-themeshade: 217"><font size="3"> Many thanks to Chris Laning of Paternoster Row at</font> <a href="http://paternosters.home.igc.org/"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; COLOR: #d9d9d9; mso-themecolor: background1; mso-themeshade: 217"><font size="3">http://paternosters.home.igc.org/</font></span></a> <font size="3">.</font></span></p>
<p> </p> A little information about amulets by Arianrhod Wolfchildtag:travelingwithintheworld.ning.com,2010-11-14:2185477:Topic:757562010-11-14T16:25:37.567ZDept of PMM Artists & thingshttp://travelingwithintheworld.ning.com/profile/Artistsandthings
<p class="SKYUI-Highlight-Node A03n09ss">Ancient Assyrians, Egyptians, Babylonians, Arabs, and Hebrews placed great importance in amulets:</p>
<ul>
<li><i>Frog</i>—protected fertility</li>
<li><i>Ankh</i>—everlasting life</li>
<li><i>Udjat</i>—health</li>
<li><i>Scarab</i>—resurrection after death </li>
</ul>
<span class="SKYUI-Higlight-Marker" id="SKYUI-Higlight-Marker-34645"></span><p class="SKYUI-Highlight-Node S01o07sa">Some of the Egyptian amulets are massive—a stone beetle at Karnak…</p>
<p class="SKYUI-Highlight-Node A03n09ss">Ancient Assyrians, Egyptians, Babylonians, Arabs, and Hebrews placed great importance in amulets:</p>
<ul>
<li><i>Frog</i>—protected fertility</li>
<li><i>Ankh</i>—everlasting life</li>
<li><i>Udjat</i>—health</li>
<li><i>Scarab</i>—resurrection after death </li>
</ul>
<span id="SKYUI-Higlight-Marker-34645" class="SKYUI-Higlight-Marker"></span><p class="SKYUI-Highlight-Node S01o07sa">Some of the Egyptian amulets are massive—a stone beetle at Karnak measures five feet long by three feet wide and weighs more than two tons.</p>
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><span id="SKYUI-Higlight-Marker-i176525" class="SKYUI-Higlight-Marker"></span><img class="SKYUI-Highlight-Node a02p02fS" alt="" src="http://api.ning.com/files/iKqx3g8RL*7NVf19M5yWxCu922AI9VtgXU73BlJwoS0vFS3wzlJ8eD-8bAGyi9iEMk7KD0bDU0gxBBzpNcH113LBH4q6uHos/amulets.gif"/></p>
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><br/></p>
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><br/></p>
<span id="SKYUI-Higlight-Marker-79353" class="SKYUI-Higlight-Marker"></span><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: left" class="SKYUI-Highlight-Node A06n34er">An amulet is a personal ornament which, because of its shape, material, or colour, is believed to endow its wearer with certain powers and offer protection. The Ancient Egyptians often used amulets to protect<br/>themselves against disease. At far left is the girdle or knot of Isis<br/>(Thet/Tyet). The goddess Isis protected the dead with a Carnelian stone<br/>amulet named Thet, or Tyet. After being soaked in Ankhami flower water<br/>and placed on the body of the deceased, Isis would grant the person<br/>protection from harm while moving through the afterlife. At bottom right<br/>is the backbone (Djed), associated with the gods Ptah and Osiris. The<br/>Djed pillar was a common amulet believed to represent stability and<br/>durability and was used to protect the dead in the afterlife.</p>
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><span id="SKYUI-Higlight-Marker-i181406" class="SKYUI-Higlight-Marker"></span><img class="SKYUI-Highlight-Node a02p04gE" alt="" src="http://api.ning.com/files/GOIHlXv*0ZX6ieAFQtXTgWFBTPr0prwVSCo0swZntm4RUyE8bNixN5kH4Bwb27XmoMbx5NIM9KqrhoQpnqTI4Db3ddTlBb9C/amulets2.jpg"/></p>
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><span id="SKYUI-Higlight-Marker-i192303" class="SKYUI-Higlight-Marker"></span><img class="SKYUI-Highlight-Node a02p03g3" alt="" src="http://api.ning.com/files/7dczTRCjUYuCYF7gAsjxPnlDU73PUtTYg2Z6scYfGwRm3Wh4TI*hJ-0Mz3HMWps9WBnqnvoQXxLCVzqV4R0XoWGrWmqujcg*/amulets3.jpg"/></p>
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