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For other uses, see Amulet (disambiguation).
An amulet, similar to a talisman (Arabic: طلسم / transliterated: tilasim), can be any object but its most important characteristic is its alleged power to protect its owner from danger or harm.[1] Potential amulets includegems, especially engraved gems, statues, coins, drawings, pendants, rings, plants and animals; even words in the form of a magical spell, incantation, to repel evil or bad luck.
The word "amulet" comes from the Latin amuletum; the earliest extant use of the term is in Pliny's Natural History, meaning "an object that protects a person from trouble". [2][3]
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[edit]Amulets in the Abrahamic religions
In antiquity and the Middle Ages, most Jews, Christians and Muslims in the Orient believed in the protective and healing power of amulets or blessed objects. Talismans used by these peoples can be broken down into three main categories: talismans carried or worn on the body, talismans hung upon or above the bed of an infirm person, and medicinal talismans. This third category can be further divided into external and internal talismans. For example, an external amulet can be placed in a bath.
Jews, Christians, and Muslims have also at times used their holy books in a talisman-like manner in grave situations. For example, a bed-ridden and seriously ill person would have a holy book placed under part of the bed or cushion.[4]
[edit]Judaism
Amulets are plentiful in the Jewish tradition, with examples of Solomon-era amulets existing in manymuseums. Due to proscription of idols, Jewish amulets emphasize text and names—the shape, material or color of an amulet makes no difference. See also Khamsa.
The Jewish tallis (Yiddish-Hebrew form; plural is tallitot), the prayer shawl with fringed corners and knotted tassels at each corner, is perhaps one of the world's oldest and most used talismanic objects. Some believe it was intended to distinguish the Jews from pagans, as well as to remind them of God and Heaven. An incorrect conjugation of the plural form (with Ashkenazi pronunciation), "tallisim," is very close to the term "talisman;" however, the word "talisman" has come to us through Arabic, although ultimately derives from the Greek.
[edit]Christianity
Further information: Cross necklace
The Roman Catholic Church maintains that the legitimate use of sacramentals in its proper disposition is only encouraged by a firm faith and devotion in God, not through any magical or superstitious belief bestowed on the sacramental. In this regard, rosaries, scapular, medals and other devotional religious Catholic paraphernalia derive their power, not from the symbolism created by the object, rather by the faith of the believer in entrusting its power to God. While some Catholics may not fully appreciate this view, belief in pagan magic or polytheistic superstition through material in-animate objects are condemned by the Holy See.
Protestant denominations in general do not share in this belief, but other Christian Evangelicalssometimes advertise in television prayer clothes, or coins, and wallet reminders claiming to haveintercessory powers on its bearer.
Lay Catholics are not permitted to perform exorcisms but they can use holy water, blessed salt and other sacramentals such as the Saint Benedict medal or the crucifix for warding off evil.[5]
[edit]Crucifix
The crucifix is one of the key sacramentals used by Catholics and has been used to ward off evil for centuries. The imperial cross ofConrad II (1024–1039) referred to the power of the cross against evil.[6] Many of the early theologians of the Catholic Church made reference to use of the sign of the cross by Christians to bless and to ward off demonic influences. The crucifix is still widely used as a talismanic sacramental by Christians.
[edit]Medals
A well-known amulet among Catholic Christians is the Saint Benedict medal which includes the Vade Retro Satana formula to ward off Satan. This medal has been in use at least since the 18th century and in 1742 it received the approval of Pope Benedict XIV. It later became part of the Roman Catholic ritual.[7]
[edit]Scapulars
Some Catholic sacramentals are believed to defend against evil, by virtue of their association with a specific saint or archangel. Thescapular of St. Michael the Archangel is a Roman Catholic devotional scapular associated with Archangel Michael, the chief enemy of Satan. Pope Pius IX gave this scapular his blessing, but it was first formally approved under Pope Leo XIII.
The form of this scapular is somewhat distinct, in that the two segments of cloth that constitute it have the form of a small shield; one is made of blue and the other of black cloth, and one of the bands likewise is blue and the other black. Both portions of the scapular bear the well-known representation of the Archangel St. Michael slaying the dragon and the inscription "Quis ut Deus?" meaning Who is like God?.[8]
[edit]Holy water
Catholic saints have written about the power of holy water as a force that repels evil. Saint Teresa of Avila, a Doctor of the Church who reported visions of Jesus and Mary, was a strong believer in the power of holy water and wrote that she used it with success to repel evil and temptations.[9]
[edit]Amulets and ancient Rome
The amulet is particularly prevalent in ancient Roman society, being the inheritor of the ancient Greek tradition, and inextricably linked to Roman Religion and magic (see Magic in the Greco-Roman World). Amulets are usually outside of the normal sphere of religious experience though associations between certain gemstones and gods has been suggested, for example, Jupiter is represented on milkychalcedony, Sol on heliotrope, Mars on red jasper, Ceres on green jasper and Bacchus on amethyst.[10] Amulets are worn to imbue the wearer with the associated powers of the gods rather than for any reasons of piety. The intrinsic power of the amulet is also evident from others bearing inscriptions, such as vterfexix (utere fexix) or "good luck to the user."[11] Amulet boxes could also be used, such as the example from part of the Thetford treasure, Norfolk, UK, where a gold box intended for suspension around the neck was found to contain sulphur for its apotropaic qualities.[12]
[edit]Amulets in folklore
Amulets vary considerably according to their time and place of origin. In many societies, religious objects serve as amulets, e.g. deriving from the ancient Celts, the clover, if it has four leaves, symbolizes good luck (not the Irish shamrock, which symbolizes the Christian Trinity).[13]
In Bolivia and Argentina, the god Ekeko furnishes a standard amulet, to whom one should offer at least one banknote or a cigarette to obtain fortune and welfare.[14] In certain areas of India, Nepal and Sri Lanka, it is traditionally believed that the jackal's horn can grant wishes and reappear to its owner at its own accord when lost. Some Sinhalese believe that the horn can grant the holder invulnerability in any lawsuit.[15] In the Philippines, the local amulet is called agimat or anting-anting. According to folklore, the most powerful anting-anting is the hiyas ng saging (directly translated as pearl or gem of the banana). The hiyas must come from a mature banana and only comes out during midnight. Before the person can fully possess this agimat, he must fight a supernatural creature called kapre. Only then will he be its true owner. During holy week, devotees travel to Mount Banahaw to recharge their amulets.[16]
[edit]See also
[edit]Notes
- ^ * Gonzalez-Wippler, Migene (2001). Complete Book Of Amulets & Talismans. Lewellyn Publications. ISBN 0-87542-287-X., p.1
- ^ * Gonzalez-Wippler, Migene (2001). Complete Book Of Amulets & Talismans. Lewellyn Publications. ISBN 0-87542-287-X., p.1
- ^ * Guelden, Marlane (2007). Thailand: Spirits Among Us. Marshall Cavendish Editions. ISBN 9812610758.
- ^ Tewfik Canaan, "The Decipherment of Arabic Talismans," The Formation of the Classical Islamic World 42 (2004): 125–149.
- ^ Rosemarie Scott, 2006 Clean of Heart ISBN 0-9772234-5-0 p. 63
- ^ e encyclopedia of Christianity By Erwin Fahlbusch, Eerdmans Publishing, 1999 ISBN 0-8028-2413-7 p. 737
- ^ Lea, Henry Charles (1896) A History of Auricular Confession and Indulgences in the Latin Church Philadelphia: Lea Brothers & Co.
- ^ Ann Ball, 2003, Encyclopedia of Catholic Devotions and Practices OSV Press ISBN 0-87973-910-X p. 520
- ^ Tessa Bielecki, Mirabai Starr, 2008 Teresa of Avila: The Book of My Life ISBN 1-59030-573-6 pp. 238–241
- ^ Henig, M., 1984, Religion in Roman Britain, London: B.T. Batsford
- ^ Collingwood, R.G. and Wright, R.P., 1991, Roman Inscriptions of Britain Volume II Fascicule 3, Stround: Alan Sutton. RIB 2421.56-8
- ^ Henig, M., 1984, Religion in Roman Britain, London: B.T. Batsford, p. 187
- ^ Compendium of Symbolic and Ritual Plants in Europe by Marcel Cleene, Marie Claire Lejeune, 2003 ISBN 90-77135-04-9 p. 178
- ^ Fanthorpe, Lionel & Patricia (2008). Mysteries and Secrets of Voodoo, Santeria, and Obeah. Dundurn Group. ISBN 1-55002-784-0.
- ^ Sketches of the natural history of Ceylon by Sir James Emerson Tennent, published by Longman, Green, Longman, and Roberts, 1861
- ^ "The Agimat and Anting-Anting: Amulet and Talisman of the Philippines".
[edit]References
 | Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Amulets |
 | Look up amulet in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. |
- Gonzalez-Wippler, Migene (2001). Complete Book Of Amulets & Talismans. Lewellyn Publications. ISBN 0-87542-287-X.
- S.C. Plinius (1964). Natural History. London.
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