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Cultural Symbols in Jewelry

by Leslie McLane, Exclusively for Fire Mountain Gems and Beads®

Incorporating cultural symbols in jewelry is not a new concept, though it has seen a boost in recent
popularity. Interested in common religious, cultural or other iconography to include in designs? Learn
meanings and design information, including which are used in weddings, to make meaningful designs for
yourself or your customers.

Symbol Symbol Meaning and Explanation

The ankh, also called breath of life, key of the Nile or

''handled cross,'' is the most familiar Egyptian hieroglyphic.
The character stood for life, and more speci cally eternal
life. The symbol has been seen with extra decoration in the
form of other hieroglyphics, scarabs and wings (relating to
the goddess Isis or god Horus). Egyptian deities were
occasionally depicted holding an ankh by the loop. Ankhs
were sometimes worn as talismans promoting longevity.

This symbol is popular for rings, necklaces (simple pendant

or large collar styles), earrings and bracelets including
upper arm bracelets reminiscent of Egyptian fashion. Other
Ankh popular Egyptian-themed symbols sometimes incorporated
with ankhs include the wedjat eye, pyramids, snakes or
cartouche-like ovals. Alternative jewelry styles have used
ankhs in styles with jagged or dagger-like ends and
sentimental jewelry has been known to turn the loop into a
heart as a symbol for eternal love.
These adorable kitties are called Maneki Neko though they
are often referred to as beckoning cats or lucky cats.
Coming from Japan, these cats are put in store windows,
restaurants, homes, cars, jewelry and more. Legend has it a
woman was so poor she had to sell her cat. The cat then
came to her in a dream telling her to make a statue of the
cat and sell it. The woman did so and became wealthy.
Beckoning Cat Maneki Neko come in all shapes and sizes and inspires
happiness. Traditionally, if the right paw is up the cat will
bring good fortune, while the left paw up brings wealth.
Both paws up was not a common original depiction, but is
prevalent today, perhaps hoping to bring both types of
fortune.

 Cats are not uncommon in jewelry, and the Maneki Neko
ts right in, especially when incorporated with other feel-
good imagery, good luck charms and coins. These cats do
not have to be a certain color, size or of similar decoration.
Sometimes there are Japanese letters on the cat, some
have collars or bibs, others are brightly colored. Especially
perfect for cat lovers' jewelry, felines have been
appreciated in many cultures throughout history including
the Japanese, Egyptians and more. It seems the trend isn't
slowing down.
Meaning ''awakened one'' or ''enlightened one,'' Buddha
was a man famous for his intellectual journey to nd the
meaning of happiness. He renounced princehood and left
to study with top religious teachers, adopting a life of
asceticism before becoming enlightened. Buddha was said
to discover Dharma, which is a belief in moderation
avoiding self-indulgence or self-morti cation. It was the
goal of those seeking the Four Noble Truths to achieve a
state of nirvana free from ignorance, greed, hatred or
de lements. Thin Buddhas are modeled after the original
Siddhartha, while the Laughing Buddha came from China
and is actually Hotei. Hotei is an image based o a Chinese
Zen monk named Budai who is typically depicted as jolly
and associated with generosity. Many people rub his belly
for luck. It is assumed these two images became
synonymous due to the similarity in name, both were
Buddhists and according to legend Budai revealed himself
as an incarnation of Maitreya Buddha (a future
Buddha
transcendent Buddha) before he died.

In jewelry, Laughing Buddhas are often incorporated with

other Chinese symbols. The lotus is also typically seen as it
is an integral part of Buddhist symbology. You don't need
to be Buddhist to appreciate the connotations of
acceptance, love and goodwill. For this reason, images of
Buddha have been included in jewelry with other religion's
symbols such as Om or hamsa hands, tree of life images
and peace signs. Gemstones are a popular material to
include.
The traditional symbol of the Greek god Hermes, the
Caduceus is a winged sta with two snakes intertwined
around it. Hermes was the conductor of the dead and
protector of merchants. The Caduceus was also an ancient
astrological symbol of commerce. Physicians adopted this
symbol most likely due to its similarity in design to the sta
of Asclepius, which is a sta with a single serpent wound
around it. Both of these symbols have come to be
associated with healing and medicine, often painted on
ambulances or present in hospitals. One theory as to why a
snake was the original depiction was due to a common
parasitic worm infection in ancient times. This type of worm
was compared to a snake. To remove the worm the skin
was cut in front of its path and a rod was placed against the
wound for the worm to extricate itself by winding around
Caduceus the rod.

The Caduceus is often found on medical alert tags. Medical

jewelry has been seen decorated in recent trends to
provide function and fashion. Often used as a pendant as
well, it is common to see a faceted gem above the wings.
Given as a symbol to promote health and longevity, the
Caduceus has been paired with hearts or symbols of
healing such as some Celtic knots.


Celtic knots are widely recognized symbols and were often

used to exemplify interconnectedness or timelessness
 since they have no visible beginning or end. These symbols
were valued as charms against setbacks in life. Sometimes
Celtic knots were used as gifts to wish the recipient
longevity. Celtic knots are sometimes incorporated into
artwork with hearts or other Celtic symbols such as trinity
knots.

Celtic Knot Connotations range from robust to lyrical, imbuing Celtic

knots with popularity in both male and female jewelry. It is
not uncommon to see Celtic knots paired with green color
schemes for culturally inspired St. Patrick's Day jewelry.
Celtic knots have been used to add decoration to other
shapes including basic geometric gures. Other utilitarian-
type ndings such as bails, headpins and earwires are
adorned with varying Celtic knots, so functional becomes
fashionable and an added design element.
The Claddagh is a traditional Celtic symbol depicting two
hands holding a heart topped with a crown. The hands are
used to represent friendship, the heart equates to love and
the crown stands for loyalty. More than friendship, the
Claddagh has been used for displaying familial
togetherness, as well as an indication of relationship,
especially if found on a ring. If worn on the right hand with
the heart facing toward the wearer's body, the person is in
a relationship. If worn on the left hand ring nger and the
heart faces away from the wearer, this indicates an
engagement. When the heart is ipped facing toward the
wearer while on the left hand ring nger, the person is
married. ''With my hands, I give you my heart and crown it
with my love,'' and, ''Let love and friendship reign forever,''
are phrases associated with this symbol.
Claddagh
Claddagh symbols are ideal to gift and wear as tokens of
friendship whether on a ring, as a pendant or other jewelry.
Lovers often exchange these symbols as well, making them
ideal birthday, engagement, Valentine's and other occasion
gifts. Jewelry featuring a Claddagh is sometimes used in
conjunction with other Irish symbols, most notably the
Celtic cross and three leaf clovers called shamrocks.
There have been a multitude of crosses throughout history,
though the most common association is with the Christian
faith. Jesus Christ was cruci ed on a cross and the structure
became a symbol of the reconciliation of sins. The cross is a
symbol of salvation and atonement. Though since the act of
cruci xion was gruesome, the symbol was not widely worn
until the second century. It was believed wearing a cross
helped protect against misfortune or demonic forces.
Crosses were symbols pre-Christianity as well. Crosses have
been representations of the four elements re, water, earth
and air as well as directional north, south, east and west.
Other cultures had similarly shaped symbols sometimes
generically referred to as a cross.

Jewelry depicting crosses has been worn as a sign of faith

Cross
and is often gifted by friends, family or loved ones. Crosses
have also been used in alternative fashion cultures
including biker, punk or Goth. Pendant necklaces and
rosaries were the original ways to wear crosses, though the
image is found in all forms of jewelry today. Crosses are
popular additions to wedding jewelry. Other common
shapes sometimes used in conjunction with crosses include
hearts, owers and birds (doves).
According to Native American folklore, the dream catcher is


designed to snare negative dreams in the webbing while

allowing good dreams to glide down the feathers to be had
 by the person sleeping below. The bad dreams are said to
die at daybreak. Dream catchers were rst made using
willow formed into a hoop. The decorations could be
feathers, arrowheads, beads and more. Iktomi appeared to
a spiritual leader in the form of a spider and wove the rst
dream catcher. Upon nishing the piece, Iktomi instructed
the leader to share it to help the people reach their goals
Dream Catcher and make good use of their visions and dreams.

Dream catchers in jewelry can resemble authentic dream

catchers with natural materials, or are created with jewelry
cord and wire. Dream catchers promote good thoughts,
since the design is supposed to keep bad forces from
entering our thoughts and dreams. The webbing of dream
catchers is often decorated with turquoise and seed beads,
though these are not a designer's only options. Dream
catchers are popular as earrings since they can be big while
remaining lightweight.
This Egyptian symbol is also referred to as the Wedjat eye,
since it was associated with the goddess Wadjet (including
various other spellings) as well as Horus. Horus is the
ancient Egyptian sky god was who was typically depicted as
a falcon. The eye of Horus was a symbol of protection, royal
power and good health. Each part of the eye design has a
speci c meaning, converging to represent the six senses.
The front corner of the eye resembles a nose and is
associated with smell, the pupil is sight, the eyebrow
represents thought, the left half of the eye is hearing and
points to the ear, the curved tail beneath is said to
represent taste and the straight line down from the eye is
touch like a leg grounding the symbol.
Eye of Horus
For jewelry, the eye of Horus is often used alongside other
Egyptian symbols such as the ankh or scarab. Oftentimes
designers will choose to color the eye or even replace the
pupil with a gemstone or crystal bead. The eye of Horus is
popular in speci cally Egyptian-inspired jewelry designs as
pendants, rings and more, but has also been depicted in
alternative jewelry and clothing styles.
Also called the all-seeing eye of God, the Eye of Providence
is depicted as an eye often surrounded by rays of light or a
glory and enclosed in a triangle. A glory is an optical
phenomenon also called an anti-corona or pilot's bow that
resembles the iconic halo above Saints' heads. This symbol
represents divine providence or how God watches over
mankind. Perhaps one of the most well-known uses of this
symbol is on the Great Seal of the United States, which
appears on the one dollar bill. The Eye of Providence often
holds religious signi cance. In the Christian faith, the
design can represent the Holy Trinity, in Buddhism the
symbol can be referred to as the Eye of the World and in
Hinduism the eye is sometimes referred to as the third eye
of Lord Shiva. Some people have come to view the eye as
Eye of Providence less benign and associated with the Illuminati.
With so many connotations, it's no wonder this symbol
appears in jewelry alongside numerous others. Emphasize
religious connotations by including charms of other
symbols such as the lotus ower or Om symbol. Gift the all-
seeing eye as a pendant necklace or add to a bracelet
design as a way to let friends and loved ones know they
have a watchful eye to look after them.
Coming from the Old French " our de lys" or " ower of the


lily" a Fleur-de-lis is a stylized lily with three petals bound

near the base. There is speculation the French monarchy
 adopted the Fleur-de-lis as their royal coat of arms to be a
symbol of saintly purity. Similarly, the Roman Catholic
Church associated the lily with the Virgin Mary. Since there
are three petals, there have been interpretations of the
holy trinity in Christian-based faiths. Military units have
included eur-de-lis symbols as a sign of power and
strength. Modern celebrations of mardi gras often see
Fleur-de-Lis countless decorations of Fleur-de-lis on clothing, jewelry
and more.

With such a diverse group of associations, the jewelry

potential is similarly vast. It is a graceful ower, lending its
image well to female jewelry, though it has a royal strength
allowing the symbol to be used in men's designs as well.
The New Orleans Saints sports team also uses it as their
team's design and the South is often associated with this
symbol. Fleur-de-lis may be turned up or down and have
been found incorporated with crosses, keys and coats of
arms.
A Hamsa hand is also known as the hand of Fatima, hand of
Miriam or the eye of Fatima. The hand is open and an eye is
embedded in the open palm. The hand can be natural or
symmetrical with a thumb replacing the pinky. In Islam,
Fatima references Mohammed's daughter while in Judaism,
Miriam is Moses' sister. Hamsa is said to originate from the
Hebrew word "hamesh," directly translating to '' ve.'' For
both religions, the hand is said to be a talisman against
harm such as the evil eye ( ve is often associated with
ghting the evil eye) and promotes fertility, luck or health.
The ve ngers can represent the ve sacred rules of
beliefs or pillars of Islam.

These hands are depicted with the ngers pointing up or

down and are often used in conjunction with other
Hamsa Hand religious symbols such as crosses, the Om symbol,
(Fatima) Buddhist imagery, the tree of life and more. Eastern-
inspired designs commonly depict a Hamsa hand. Since the
hand is considered protective, it is an excellent gift whether
on a necklace, bracelet or other form of jewelry, and has
been included on key chains, home decor and more.
Sometimes the eye is covered or replaced by orals, a swirl
or ligree details for a delicate, feminine touch and the
hand has been known to be embellished with crystal,
gemstone or enamel for a colorful take.
The Ichthys sh is also known as ichthus, Christian sh or
Jesus sh. Fish are referenced multiple times in the
Christian Bible including the story of Jonah, the feeding of
ve thousand with two sh and ve bread loaves, Jesus
instructing his disciples to cast their nets on the opposite
side of the boat, calling for believers to be '' shers of men''
and more. It is also speculated during the time of Christian
Ichthys persecution by the Roman Empire, Christians used this sh
symbol to mark meeting places and identify friends. The
word itself is an acronym translating to ''Jesus Christ, Son of
God, Savior.'' Iota (I) is the rst letter in the Greek spelling
of ''Jesus.'' Chi (ch) is the rst letter of "anointed" in Greek.
Theta (th) is the rst letter of ''God's'' in Greek. Upsilon (y) is
the rst letter of ''Son'' in Greek. And, Sigma (s) is the rst
letter of the word for ''Savior'' in Greek.

In jewelry, the Ichthys sh is used similarly to crosses. Faith-

based jewelry of all kinds, including earrings, pendant
necklaces and more, display the Christian sh. Sometimes
the sh has a design on the inside such as an eye, a cross


or "JESUS." The Ichthys is sometimes used in conjunction

with other symbols of faith such as doves, hearts and
 owers. Ichthys sh are also popular for use in Easter or
Christmas jewelry.
The Lotus ower is considered a symbol of purity in
Buddhism, and one of beauty in Hinduism. The heart of
man is compared to an unopened lotus and once an
individual reaches enlightenment, the Lotus blooms. For
this reason it is not uncommon to see a statue of Buddha
upon a Lotus ower. Since Lotus owers grow in a ''dirty''
environment of mud, the Lotus is often used in metaphors
of seeking truth and happiness without being blemished by
the world. Confucius put it best, ''I have a love for the Lotus,
while growing in mud it still remains unstained.'' In
Hinduism, the Lotus ower is associated with one of the
three principle deities, Vishnu. It was a Lotus that bloomed
from Vishnu's naval bringing Brahma to create the world.

Lotus owers are often paired with other religious symbols

including images of Buddha, the Om symbol and more.
Lotus Flower Lotus owers are often associated with femininity and can
be accompanied in designs by other owers. Each color of
Lotus ower also has speci c characteristics. White
represents passive nature and perfection. Red symbolizes
the heart, giving it the characteristics of love and passion.
Blue represents the spirit's victory over senses and is
typically represented as a partially open bloom. Pink is
considered the supreme color and reserved for the highest
gods. Purple is sometimes depicted, though not natural,
and is considered mystical.
The naja (Navajo word for "crescent") is an upside-down
moon shape that is popular in southerwestern-inspired
jewelry and appears as the centerpiece of Native American
squash blossom necklaces. Images of the naja have been
around since the Paleolithic era and were particularly seen
as Moorish. The Spanish used the shape as a bridle
ornament and saw it as a protective symbol for the horse
and rider. The conquistadors brought these bridle
ornaments with them when they came to the Americas,
and the squash blossom began to see creation in the hands
of Navajo silversmiths--though the design was also used by
other tribes.

The naja is a symbol of protection in most of its original

Naja iterations. Najas were originally only silver, but after the
late 1800s, lapidary techniques were applied to include
gemstones such as turquoise or even coral. The naja can
also be associated with birth. If a turquoise bead is
included or dangling from the center of the naja it may be
represent a child in the womb. In general, the squash
blossom did not have ceremonial purpose, but was worn as
a status of wealth or cultural association.
The Om symbol, also spelled Aum, is a primary concept in
Hinduism representing the cosmic beginning of creation.
The syllable Om is a tone and vibration said to be the basis
for all mantras. Mantras are repeated sounds or words
designed to help a person meditate and focus. This sacred
symbol is the essence of all the Vedas, which originated in
India, and are the oldest texts of Sanskrit literature and
Om Hindu scripture.

In jewelry, the Om symbol is often seen in conjunction with

lotus owers and mandalas or other religious symbols
including the hand of Fatima. Due to its relaxing
connotation, the Om symbol is also popular to pair with


peace signs. When worn as earrings, a pendant or on a

bracelet, the Om symbol can be a reminder to the wearer
 to breathe and maintain peace in their mind, body and
spirit.
The peace sign has become an internationally recognized
symbol of peace and acceptance since its creation by
British artist, Gerald Holtom in 1958. The symbol design
represents the navy signaling letters N and D standing for
Nuclear and Disarmament. Since the symbol was anti-
militaristic, the D is placed on top of the N so as to read
backwards. First used at a Direct Action Committee Against
Nuclear War march, the symbol was placed on protest
signs, made into lollipops and more. In the 1960s the
symbol came to the USA and was adopted as a peace
movement symbol promoting free love and non-violence.
The symbol made appearances in civil rights marches at the
time of Martin Luther King Jr., in South Africa under
apartheid regime and during anti-Vietnam war protests.
Peace Sign Not just for hippies, peace signs are about accepting our
fellow man no matter their race, creed, religion and more.
While anti-militaristic movements also sport peace signs, it
is not the only interpretation. Peace signs are often found
in jewelry as design centerpieces themselves or with other
peace-inspired symbols such as hearts, doves, rainbows,
the ''V'' hand gesture and more. Flowers are also common,
no doubt inspired by the ower children of the 1970s.
The ve-pointed star, sometimes in a circle, has had potent
connotations throughout its existence, and some of them
not always accurate. The pentagram has shown up in many
ancient civilizations including those in Latin America, India,
China, Greece and Egypt. Often the symbol had
astronomical meanings such as the ve visible planets or
the path of Venus. Other interpretations included the
symbol as one of man. According to the famous Greek
mathematician Pythagoras, ve was the number of man
(the shape our bodies make when hands and feet are
spread as well as our ve senses) and could represent the
ve elements re, water, air, earth and psyche. This may
have also stemmed from the goddess of healing, Hygeia,
who's name was an anagram for the elements of water,
earth, spirit, re and air in Greek. Christians also
appreciated the pentagram, viewing it as proof of divinity.
Since the star formation could be interpreted as man, it
symbolized God manifesting in the esh and could also
represent the ve wounds of Jesus during his cruci xion.
Pentagram
The pentagram was sometimes believed to protect against
evil when worn.

Incorporating this ve-pointed star in jewelry can add extra

meaning or an ancient feel. When placed with other
cultural symbols such as the Greek key, pentagrams bring
to mind the Greek interpretations. Or include the Hamsa
hand for increased India symbolism. Pentagrams are also
celestial, perfect for incorporating with moons and other
heavenly bodies. The star does not have to be oriented in a
certain way, and turning it upside down does not
automatically indicate something sinister.
This equilateral triangle inside a circle is also known as the
Sobriety Circle and Triangle Symbol. The design is used by
the group Alcoholics Anonymous. The triangle represents
the three parts of addiction (physical, mental and spiritual)
as well as the three parts to the cure (unity, recovery and
service). The circle that surrounds these concepts
represents wholeness or oneness and combines the


Recovery Symbol elements into one. Before AA adopted this symbol

however, the design was long used by native cultures.
 Medicine men and priests regarded the circle enclosing a
triangle as a means of warding o evil spirits.

Jewelry that uses the recovery symbol gives hope for

mental health and addiction recovery. Recovery symbol
jewelry can be as simple as a pendant on chain or can
include other relevant symbols such as awareness ribbons.
The most commonly paired ribbon colors are light blue
(addiction recovery) and red (alcohol awareness). A metal
blank is sometimes strung to hang behind the recovery
symbol and is stamped with the date when an individual
began sobriety. Other symbols sometimes included with
the recovery symbol in jewelry designs include hearts, the
"evil eye," religious symbols like crosses that remind us to
have faith and symbols that remind individuals to relax
such as the Om.
The Star of David--the Magen David, Seal of Solomon or
shield of David--has come to be associated with Judaism,
though it was not originally an exclusive Jewish symbol. The
two intertwined equilateral triangles were also a common
symbol in the Middle East and northern Africa used to bring
good luck. It was not until Jews wore these stars as
identi cation of their heritage during Nazi occupation did
the star-like shape stand out as a symbol of Judaism. By the
17th century synagogues often had the Star of David on the
outside as an identi cation of a house of worship.

A symbol of solidarity amongst the Jewish people, the Star

Star of David of David packs a powerful religious or cultural punch in
modern jewelry. It is not uncommon to see the Star of
David used in conjunction with traditional Jewish symbols
such as the menorah, Lion of Judah and the 10
Commandments tablets. Jewish athletes have also sewn or
worn the Star of David on their uniforms.
Depicted in numerous cultures, the tree of life often
represented a connection of the three worlds: heaven,
earth and the underworld. For Christians, a tree sat at the
center of Eden. The Norse had Yggdrasil and the Mayans
had Yaxche with the utmost branches supporting the home
of their respective gods. To the Egyptians the tree was a
holy sycamore connecting the concepts of life and death.
Trees have been used to depict death and rebirth due to
the cycle of winter bareness and spring blossom. Trees
have been depicted not only as homes for deities, but also
as gods themselves such as the Sumerian god Dammuzi
and Hindu Brahman. Trees have connotations of life-giving
qualities, especially fruit-bearing varieties. Aside from
religious connotations, the tree of life is often interpreted
as a rooting in the here and now; a solid foundation to
reaching or striving from, branching out to learn and grow
as an individual. Also a symbol of family, the branches
Tree of Life represent the growing family and remaining connected to
each other.

As a symbol of nature, the tree of life is easy to incorporate

in jewelry. The tree of life is often depicted with other
natural shapes such as butter ies, leaves, birds and more.
Incorporating other symbols from speci c geographical
locations calls forth the cultural interpretations of the
region. The tree of life is also commonly created from wire
surrounded by a circle and decorated with crystal or
gemstone chips as the leaves.
While many people place trinity knots, also called


triquetras, in the same realm as Celtic knots, the designs do

have some fundamental di erences. Trinity knots always
 have three distinct points. Three is considered a powerful
number in many cultures and trinity knots are sometimes
interpreted as a protective symbol or one of promises. The
triangular-like formation was used in ancient Celtic, Nordic,
Germanic and other paganistic artwork as well as in
Christian symbology equating to the holy trinity of the
Father, son and holy ghost.
Trinity
Knot/Triquetra Trinity knots are found in the same types of jewelry as the
previous Celtic symbols including culturally inspired,
religious or talismanic designs. Since trinity knots are often
believed to represent love, honor and protection the
symbol can be found incorporated with Claddagh or other
wedding-type jewelry. When not in engagement jewelry, it
is often fun for the designer or wearer to determine their
own interpretation of the triple points.
The triskele is a complex, ancient symbol with three ''legs''
seemingly in motion and is most often associated with
progress, action and cyclic motion. The three legs have
been given varying meanings depending on the particular
culture and era the symbol was found. Interpretations
include a religious trinity; familial bonds of a mother, father
and child; the past, present and future; the continuum of
creation, existence and destruction; the spiritual, mortal
and celestial worlds; etc.

This type of diverse symbol is ideal for jewelry since the

designer or wearer can impart personal connotation.
Created for or gifted to a family member, the triskele can
Triskele
represent familial connection. Placed with other religious
symbols, it represents the holy trinity and works well
alongside Celtic or other crosses. Select as an ideal gift for
graduates since the triskele represents progress, or if
starting a new chapter in one's life the symbol rea rms
positive action.
The concept of the evil eye exists in almost every culture
including Ancient Greece, the Middle East, Europe, Central
America and more. The evil eye is a glance or ill wish
towards an individual. The evil eyes are thought to cause
harm or bad luck, as well as physical or mental illness.
Jealousy or excessive praise resulting in swollen pride
endangers an individual to the e ects of the evil eye. To
counteract the curse, talismans depicting eyes were worn
or carried. Indigo blue is a common color for these eyes as
the color was believed by the Greeks to hold power. These
evil eye talismans de ect harm from the wearer.

The most common depiction is a circle with painted

Wards O the Evil concentric circles in varying colors to represent an eye.
Eye Design Pointed oval shapes with a circle in the middle have also
been interpreted as a design of warding o the evil eye,
giving jewelry designers options when designing.
Celebrities such as Cameron Diaz, Brad Pitt, Rhianna and
more have been spotted wearing evil eye amulets on
necklaces and bracelets.
While Western culture refers to the symbol as Yin-Yang, the
true name is Taijitu. A fundamental Chinese concept, the
Yin-Yang symbol represents duality. The two separate
concepts Yin and Yang represent opposite ideas, which
when brought together complement and complete the
whole. The whole is greater than the individual parts. Yin is
associated with night, female and South while Yang is the
Yin-Yang sun, male and North. While this seems cut and dry, the idea


of interconnectedness ensures the concepts associated

with Yin and Yang are dependent upon each other and
 therefore not inherently absolute. The Yin-Yang symbol has
come to be associated with Taoism.

In jewelry, Yin-Yang symbols are popular for both men and

women. Clasps featuring Yin-Yang symbols are especially
interesting since they are visual representations of the two
concepts forming a whole. Black and white are the most
typical colors for this symbol, no doubt since they are
further visual aids in the explanation of opposites
attracting, but designers are not limited to these. The
symbol has also been created with blue (water) and red
( re) or other unique color combinations.

Design with:

Yin-yang components
Cross components
Ichthys components
Star of David components
Claddagh components

Celtic knot components

Triskele components
Trinity knot, triquetra components
Fleur-de-lis components
Ankh components

Pentagram components
Tree of life components
Buddha components
Hamsa hand compoents
Ward o the evil eye components

Beckoning cat components

Lotus ower components
Om components
Caduceus components
Peace sign components
Dream catcher components

Eye of Horus components

Eye of providence components
Recovery symbol components
Naja components

Additional Resources ...

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6.2mm inside
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