The word Amulet comes from the Latin word amuletum, which means “an object that protects a person from trouble”. The use of amulets dates far back in time and spans around the world.
In Roman times an amula, or small vessel of lustral water, was carried about. This practice was followed as well by the Greeks, Egyptians, and Orientals.
In Arabia the term used was hamalet, which means suspended. This object could be anything: plant, gem, even a piece of writing. The hamalet was worn around the neck or tied to any part of the body. It’s purpose was to ward off misfortune.
The practice and faith in amulets carried into almost every aspect of ancient times, with individuals writing bible passages on bits of parchment to carry in their amulet. The wearing of amulets with objects inscribed with sacred sentences, and containing precious stones and metals is found in Isaiah 3:20.
One of the amulets that arose from Egypt was the wearing of a stone made of basalt in the shape of a beetle. The scarabaeus beetle would gather dirt with its back legs and lay eggs in it, and was considered to be a symbol of divine power impregnating the world. Artifacts are found in museums showing these amulets inscribed with hieroglyphics or names.
Amulets have made of gold or silver, coral, beads or stone. They have carried figures of divinities, animals, or heroes. Even the ear bones of fish have been used as amulets. Some believed that the benefits came when the amulet was gifted, that if it were purchased it would lose its medicinal qualities.
How strongly does the practice of wearing amulets cross over into modern times? Some cultures in the orient, as well as shamanic cultures, still carry the beliefs in the healing powers of gems, herbs, and objects. More modern belief systems have not strayed far from the symbolism seen in the wearing of crosses and religious figures, and even fish, showing us that many of our practices today still carry some forgotten or hidden intuitive meaning.
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