We often hear that modern Slavic amulets are a "remake". Say, there were no such images and patterns in the old days. And someone even says that the Slavs did not wear jewelry, because they were a sedentary, not nomadic people, and did not need to carry expensive things with them. Where is the truth? Let's try to figure it out!
Did the Slavs wear jewelry?
Let's start with the question of whether the Slavs had jewelry that they always carried with them, because someone claims that our ancestors did not need them. Indeed, in the old days, representatives of nomadic peoples wore many ornaments on themselves also because they were valuable, they replaced money. The Slavs were not nomads, which does not mean that they did not wear jewelry and amulets!
In the old days, amulets were certainly worn by everyone: from small to large. Ancient Slavic jewelry serves exactly this purpose - to avert the eyes of a stranger, so that he does not wish the owner of the amulet to be thin, to show that a person is under the protection of the Gods and his Family. Therefore, we know a lot of Slavic amulets. We will now tell about some of them.
Mermaid bracelets
Rusal bracelets are an amazing piece of jewelry. Their name alone evokes thoughts of something fabulous! Scenes from the holiday of Rusalia were often depicted on mermaid bracelets, and it was also during the Mermaids that girls often wore them.
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Perhaps, in ancient times, such bracelets served to collect sleeves instead of fastening. They were worn by young girls for the holiday of Mermaids, right over white shirts. And during the holiday, a magical rite took place, when strangers left the clearing in the forest or a place on the river bank, the girls took off their amulets, unbuttoned mermaid bracelets, unbuttoned their sleeves and became like magic white birds. Perhaps it was from the witnesses of this action that the stories and tales of girls turning into birds on the banks of the river went?
Antique Russian bracelet and modern bracelets based on it
Novgorod copper rings
Where Veliky Novgorod used to be located, ancient amulets are found today. Such finds help Slavic craftsmen to recreate ancient jewelry, such as copper rings.
Quite a few rings have been found near Novgorod. It can be seen that they were worn by brave knights, strong men, and girls and women, sometimes even children wore such rings, apparently inherited from their mother. Often, the rings were made open-ended - the size of such an ornament could be slightly changed to fit your hand. This was not done in vain, because the ring was a frequent gift or amulet passed on by inheritance.
On the front of the ring, protective patterns were often depicted: birds, animals, plants. Such rings were cast by the craftsman using forms of stone with a pattern cut into it. On rings, especially on women, a bird was often depicted - the sign of the Goddess Lada. There were also drawings of a bird with an egg or chicks, such rings were worn by married women who have children.
Antique ring with a bird and a ring from the "Northern Fairy Tale", created according to Novgorod samples
These are the stories we know about Slavic amulets. You can see for yourself that the patterns on them were not invented recently, but have been known for many centuries!