photo by Jared Zimmerman
In the modern day, most of us wear it to express ourselves, our individuality or our sense of belonging to a group, or even perhaps both.
Just like the clothes we wear, our jewelry might say something about us. We choose what we identify with and we wear. We are expressing a part of ourselves, hinting who we are to the world around us.
Adornment
I believe this is the strongest reason most of us wear jewelry.
Mankind started wearing jewelry in prehistory. The first pieces were done with seashells, small crustaceans, unpolished stones, small hunted animals’ teeth and bones. These were stringed in natural fibbers and made into necklaces and bracelets. The intention was to stand out, attract attention. Much like a peacock.
We like wearing pretty elegant things, to make us feel that way about ourselves. We might see it as vanity, but it’s probably much more connected to self-esteem and confidence boosts. Many of us strive for happiness, so we probably grab on to anything that makes us feel good. The feeling provides us with the illusion of happiness. Small moments of well being we wish to extend.
Status
Man evolved into hunting bigger and dangerous animals. So, the jewelry made out of these animal’s bones and teeth, was mainly worn as a trophy, a display of valency from the hunter to the community, assuring them a high position on the hierarchy.
Throughout the history, there has always been a social hierarchy based on wealth, thus being reflected in the quality and abundance of jewelry.
Today we see a display of status through extremely expensive jewelry, with extravagant sparkling jewels. Those who are wealthy display it with exclusive pieces, with astonishing and inaccessible prices to the non rich.
Amulets & Talismans
People used to believe that each jewel and metal had a specific beneficial magic property. Also colored glass was used to emulate jewels, but the color alone was believed to hold power as well.
There’s been a huge decrease in this type of jewelry, but some folklore amulets still survive depending on the culture.
Also there’s been a bit of a revival of jewels magical properties due to the New Age movement.
There’s probably more…
We have many types of jewelry, such as functional, religious, remembrance, official, and so on…
Related links:
Jewelry History
Other related posts:
| [ tags ] communicating • history • identity • perception |
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