What is the Meaning of Jewellery? And its Cultural Significance
We may be living in the time when people wear jewellery to show-off their wealth and status, given how expensive gold, silver, and other precious stones have become. But do you really think it started this way? The answer is No! The humans, in previous times, some centuries ago, wore jewellery not because of its precious value, but the symbols it presented and the power it possessed. It was not merely for the sparkle, but something beyond and divine.
Every piece of jewellery worn by humans presented some different powers and properties, and every culture had different symbols and powers. If you are not someone who is fascinated with what value a piece of jewellery holds, but for the meaning it states, then it is important that you understand how the evolution of wearing jewellery has come this far and what is the meaning of jewellery is in different cultures.
Let’s talk about something more deep and meaningful about jewellery that the majority of people have refused to even consider.
Importance of Jewellery in Different Countries
Before anything else, we must understand how different countries and cultures perceive the meaning and its association with diverse symbols and power. Almost every country where wearing jewellery has been a common norm has a different and unique meaning. Also, every country has a unique way of wearing jewellery, like in India, we have pure gold and diamonds as the most precious forms of jewellery, while in the UK, wearing stones is considered important.
For one country, gold is important, and for another, gemstones like jade or ruby are. Every country had a different perception of wearing jewellery, and it was not based on any universal material.
Let’s first break down that:
India
In India, gold and silver hold immense value and are more than a precious asset; it has a deep connection to the cultural and spiritual values symbolizing diverse traditions in different cultures.
Girls from a very early age start wearing gold, but once they are married, it becomes a part of their marital identity. In different cultures, different gold pieces hold meanings, like the majority wear a mangalsutra or a gold chain as a mark of their marriage, along with toe rings. Each piece holds a different meaning, from maagtika to anklets in India.
China
Jade in China in particular, holds the most important value as it has been this way for the last 7,000 years, and considering its long-running traditional value, it even costs more than gold and silver in the country. In China, Jade is associated with beauty and durability and represents the perfect balance of Yin and Yang.
The majority of people in China wear Jade to keep away evil eyes and spirits while repelling bad luck. Even today, when the world has so many precious stones and materials in existence, Jade continues to dominate China’s jewellery space and is regarded as the highest value, often being passed down to the next generation as an heirloom.
Southwestern US
Navajo tribes living in the Southwestern US are the second-largest federally recognized Native American tribe, treat turquoise with the highest regard, as the Chinese treat Jade. For them, the value turquoise holds has been running for thousands of years now, and it symbolises health, happiness, and luck, all deeply connected to the ocean colours it embodies.
Apart from it, turquoise is also associated with the status symbol amongst the tribe, and it is similar to what value gold holds in India and diamonds in different countries.
Greece
Greece has one of the richest cultures when it comes to jewellery, and for centuries, gold has been their preferred choice of precious materials, and even kings and queens were adorned with them. The peculiar feature about jewellery in Greece was that they were often embellished with precious gemstones like garnet, emerald, and amethyst, and were often wired into gold and granulated by the skilled artisans.
Motifs and symbols were used in almost every piece of jewellery taken from Greek Mythology, like laurel wreaths of Apollo or the dolphin symbols of Poseidon. Just like India, gold is often seen as a status symbol in Greece.
Egypt
Jewellery in Egypt has been an integral part of the culture and identity for centuries. It is not hard to guess that gold has always been treated with regards, but they also used precious stones and colourful glass materials with the belief that they help divine power and magic.
Men and women of Egypt wore amulets, bracelets, broad collars, and necklaces made of gold, and they even buried them with the belief that they would accompany them in the afterlife. Egyptians have one of the most varied uses of jewellery and they used a wide variety of motifs and symbols, which is still evident.
Meaning Represented By Different Jewellery
After covering the different countries and how they look at jewellery and their cultural association with them, let’s now move on to understand what different meanings are represented by different types of jewellery.
Necklace
Necklace is the most common piece of jewellery that has been in tradition for years and in different countries. In most cultures, necklaces are made with gold, but with the passing of time, they start getting engraved with diamonds and other gemstones, and they represent prosperity.
In certain cultures, it is often associated with power, status, and even divinity, and is often passed down to generations as a piece of heirloom. The evolution of new designs and trends have given way to many diverse necklaces like layered chains, chokers, and simple pendant necklaces.
Bangles
While not common in many countries and cultures, bangles hold immense importance in certain cultures and have been in tradition for centuries. Those who wear it as per the culture don’t just do it as a decorative piece or for status, but something deeper.
Particularly in India, gold bangles are important for brides as they display a symbol of love, fortune, and fertility. They are also connected as something that spreads positivity, wealth, and stability. However, even bangles have evolved in terms of designs, and today we have a wide range of designs with diverse symbols and motifs engraved on them.
Earrings
Earrings have been a common part of different cultures throughout the world, though made using different materials, precisely as gold, silver, beads, and gemstones. Many ancient civilizations believed that wearing earrings kept away the evil eyes and spirits. However, with the passing time, it evolved into a piece that elevated one’s beauty.
It has been one of the jewellery pieces that have been worn by men and women across diverse cultures. In different cultures, earrings have different symbols like in India, they symbolize marital status and prosperity. Now, we have diverse designs of earrings available from stud earrings to hanging ones made of gold, silver, diamonds, and gemstones.
Anklets
Anklets are mostly common in India and have been worn for centuries. Its delicate beauty and soft jingling sound hold deep symbolism, and almost every part of the country has in its custom to wear anklets. In many cultures, it is worn to show the material status of women, and some young girls start wearing it from an early age.
Since it is made of silver, it is believed that it controls the body temperature of the women and balances the energy. Anklets hold more value because they are deeply connected with many dance forms, as they are used to produce certain sounds. It symbolized happiness and prosperity.
Rings
Rings have diverse meanings in diverse cultures and are amongst the oldest pieces of jewellery. It represents infinity because of its shape, which has no beginning or end; it is often used to mark the beginning of a forever relationship and is used as an engagement or promise ring.
People have worn rings for diverse reasons, and in many countries, it is a common barrier for gemstones from an astrological perspective. Once made exclusively of gold, it is now made of sterling silver, diamonds, platinum, and gemstones. People even wear it in specific fingers to attract different planetary benefits like wealth, health, and love.
Different Metals and Gemstones for Jewellery and Their Meaning
Jewellery is not made out of an exclusive metal or stone, but there are diverse metals and gemstones used in different cultures to make jewellery. In every culture, these hold a unique and deep symbol and meaning, and we will try to decode some of the most commonly used ones.
Gold
Presently, one of the most precious metals in the world, Gold has its roots go centuries old and has been an integral part of many cultures including India, Greece, Egypt and others. Apart from being associated with nobility and wealth, the yellow colour of gold is symbolised as light and purity and even considered as God’s metal in certain cultures.
It’s considered the most pious item to be gifted to married women and often symbolizes love and commitment. Its durability and wealth are one of the reasons they are passed down to even generations.
Silver
Silver comes next to gold as a precious metal, and it too has risen in value, but more than its evaluation, it’s preferred for its symbolism for elegance and purity. Silver has been worn in almost every part of the world, and it is even one of the patent metals for tribal people.
Like gold is compared with the sun for its warm tone, silver is associated with the moon for its calm tone, and is even believed to possess the same traits as the moon, helping people to stay calm and composed. In India, silver is often used to make jewellery worn in the feet like anklets and toe rings, with the belief that it regulates the hormones of females.
Gemstones
There is a wide range of gemstones, and different cultures and countries have different perceptions of the jade is regarded very highly in status and wealth in China whereas turquoise is treated by the tribes of the Southwestern US. Let’s understand the meaning and symbols associated with the most famous gemstones.
Diamonds
Diamonds are one of the most precious gemstones and are made of pure carbon. As one of the hardest crystals on Earth, their unique structures make them rare and extremely attractive. Their shine is eternal, and since time immemorial, diamonds have been considered the rulers of gemstones. They symbolize charm, beauty, and grace, and its durability make them a perfect choice of a forever commitment for love. Many cultures even believed that diamonds have healing properties for diverse ailments.
Jade
In many civilizations and cultures, Jade is considered a gem of heaven and is believed to attract prosperity and fortune. In China, Jade holds sheer value and is often passed down as an heirloom. It symbolises versatility, harmony, and eternity, and is believed to keep the evil eyes away, and many countries use Jade to give in major ceremonies and as a talisman. In certain cultures like Maori and Mesoamerican, Jade has been associated with protection and spirituality.
Turquoise
Often known for its colour, which is close to the ocean, Turquoise is made of hydrated copper and aluminium phosphate. Many tribes and cultures use turquoise as a protective amulet, as it is believed to have the power to keep evil eyes away. It is also said to attract success and luck and takes negative energy on itself when it comes your way, and as a result, it often cracks.
Pearls
Yes, pearls too fall in the category of gemstones and are considered as a stone of the moon. They are mostly worn to calm down the temper and offer relaxation as they contain the properties of the moon. It also symbolized wisdom, love, wealth, purity, and calmness. The ones who wear it often feel a reduction in nervousness, anxiety, and stress, and it helps people focus on their goals.
Emerald
The dark green gemstone, emerald, is loved for its vibrant colour and is amongst the valuable gemstones because of its rarity and significance. Different cultures have given different symbols to emeralds like the Greeks and Romans connected it with Venus, the goddess of hope and love. Other cultures connect the emerald with rebirth and new beginnings. It opens the heart chakra for those who wear it.
Final Words
Jewellery goes far beyond just reflecting wealth and status and has a deep connection with ancient times. In every civilization, jewellery is made of different metals and gemstones, and each has a different meaning. Though it has been developed into a more modern way, its meanings and symbols stay intact. It would be fascinating to know what is the meaning of jewellery you are wearing is and what it symbolizes.
FAQs
What is the meaning of the word jewellery?
The meaning of jewellery is a piece of metal or gemstones that is highly priced and comes in different types like rings, necklaces, earrings, and others.
What is in jewellery?
Jewellery mostly has gold, silver, gemstones like diamonds, pearls, emeralds, and others, and each of them holds a different meaning and value.
Which English is jewellery?
The spelling “jewellery” is British English.
Why is it called jewelry?
The word “jewelry” is taken from the word “jouel” from Old French which means plaything or ornaments. The word jewelry has the same meaning, but is a word used in American English.
What is the meaning of real jewelry?
Real jewelry means ornaments made of real precious metals like gold, silver, and stones like diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and others.
What does jewelry mean in India?
Jewelry in India holds more value than being precious metals and stones, and holds deeper meaning by symbolizing prosperity, health, and marital prosperity.