Just charming - The Scarab, Hamsa and Nazar Boncuk

Last year I was given a broken bracelet of beautiful blue beads, which I knew from my parent's travels to be 'evil eye' beads. I made some pins, and people liked them. I also made a range of earrings for sale at bellydance events, featuring a little hand charm called a hamsa, which people also liked!...

Cue me looking for and finding gorgeous Mediterranean and Egyptian beads and charms. So apart from them being in some lovely rich colours, what's with my new range of amulet and talisman jewellery? Read on to discover a bit more about the Beetle, Hamsa and Nazar I am loving right now!

The Scarab

Scarabs were the most popular amulets in Ancient Egypt, used for many decorative and functional purposes, such as seals.  Because they laid eggs in burrows, it seemed to the ancient Egyptians that young beetles emerged spontaneously, so they were worshipped as "Khepera", which means "he was came forth" and they were associated with the creator god Atum.  Also, the scarab-beetle god Khepera was believed to push the setting sun along the sky in the same manner as the beetle with his ball of dung. 

The Hamsa

This palm-shaped amulet is popular throughout the Middle East and North Africa, and been traced back to ancient Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq). The open hand symbol is found across many religions and cultures, such as the hand of Fatima or  the Buddha's gesture (mudrā)  of teaching and protection. It is a sign of protection that also represents blessings, power and strength, while deflecting the evil eye.

The Nazar Boncuk ​ 

 Nazar Boncuk charms (or Evil Eye Beads) are an "eye", commonly seen across Turkey, Greece, Albania, Egypt, Iran, Israel, Southern Italy, the Levant, and Afghanistan. Usually a white and blue glass bead, it's protective jewellery thought to ward off evil spirits and keep you safe from harm, reflecting evil thoughts back at those who give you the evil eye. 

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Even if you don't believe in these symbols as protectors or bringers of fortune, they are beautiful in their own right, and their meaning makes them perfect good luck gifts!

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