Amulets are worn in many religions.
Amulets are worn every day by thousands, if not millions, of people all over the world. They have been worn or carried since time immemorial to ward off evil, and are on a par with talismans. An amulet can be any object that is meant to protect its owner and to bring good luck. The word is derived from the Latin "amuletum," meaning "an object that protects a person from trouble."
Christian Amulets
The crucifix is a perfect example of an amulet worn to keep evil at bay, and is one that has been worn as a pendant since the earliest days of Christianity. Although the Church officially forbade the use of amulets per se, it did allow "emblems" to be worn or carried that reminded the wearer of some element of the religion. The crucifix was therefore to remind the wearer of the crucifixion, although, in fact, it was worn to ward of Satan. In the same way, a St. Christopher medallion is worn to protect the wearer from harm while on a journey.
Jewish Amulets
Judaism has numerous amulets that are used today and have been used in the past. The Mezuzah is a Jewish amulet that can be found affixed to the doorways inside every Jewish home. It consists of Hebrew verses taken from the Torah and placed in a decorative case. Another talisman is the tallis, or prayer shawl, with its knotted tassels and fringed corners. Some believe that the very word "talisman" is derived from this amulet. Another Jewish tradition is the wearing of the kimiyah, which carries the names of angels on a parchment and is worn in a case somewhere on the body. The Star of David pendant can also be called an amulet.
Egyptian Amulets
Ancient Egyptians wore the scarab beetle as a pendant amulet. It signified new life and resurrection, and brought luck and good health to the bearer. The ankh, an ancient Egyptian glyph symbolizing eternal life, is an Egyptian symbol that has been used as an amulet in modern times by people who reject religious dogma. The Egyptian Eye of Horus is also still worn, symbolizing wisdom and strength. Bast, an amulet in the shape of a cat, protects a person from evil, disease and infection.
Other Amulet Wearers
Wiccans, pagans and other nonconformists frequently wear amulets, often in the form of a crystal pendant or a pentacle. All gemstones have a metaphysical property associated with them. One of the most powerful is crystal quartz, which is a powerful good luck stone that counters black magic and the evil eye. Amethyst is known as the traveler's protection stone and has been used as such for thousands of years. Rose quartz is a powerful love stone, creating harmony in a relationship as well as attracting love to those with no partner. Gemstones are worn about the neck either in a small sack, often made from leather, or as a pendant enclosed in a wire casing.
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