Eye Candy for the Soul
Without question, jewelry is artistic, aesthetically pleasing, and therefore a treat for the visual senses. Like a little magpie, I am often initially attracted to pieces that “sparkle and shine” and those that appeal to this innate part of all of us that seeks out what is beautiful.
But, to be honest, sometimes I want more than just eye candy.
I love how Jewelry engages us in “conversation” when it goes beyond mere aesthetics. You know what I’m talking about. It’s the experience you have when you wear a piece that speaks directly to your soul.
A simple pink wristlet with a message of faith, hope or encouragement can be the very reason someone beats cancer. A tattered bracelet made of colorful thread really represents a deep friendship that has lasted a lifetime. How a string of beads given to you by your grandmother, now wrapped around your neck, can make you feel close despite being over a thousand miles apart.
Historical Symbolism
This “dialogue” we sometimes have with our jewelry is actually steeped in a tradition of symbolism that has been around for centuries across all cultures and continents.
In early societies the first known jewelry was crafted from the bones, horns and teeth of animals and represented the fortune of a prosperous hunt for a village. The brave hunters would wear the adornments to bring them luck in future hunts. Later, certain stones and gems began to be associated with, and therefore became symbols of, wealth, power, fertility and love (LeGrand, 2021). Even simple, knotted rope necklaces have been used as far back as the 3rd and 4th centuries in early religions as means for spiritual growth.
Some of these early traditional jewelry trends are very much present in society and continue to inspire us today. In fact, some of the most admired styles and symbols we see now were founded in the tradition of yoga (Yes, the stretch pants on a mat in downward-facing-dog kind of yoga).
Perhaps some of the most iconic symbols associated with yoga are mala beads, the Sanskrit notation for “Om” and the image of the lotus flower. You may be familiar with each of these or have even worn some of these symbols yourself. Wearing them simply because they are beautiful is reason enough, but understanding the deeper significance behind each makes them more than just eye candy and all the more special. To truly have a conversation with our jewelry that speaks to our soul, we must first realize the messages behind these ancient icons.
Mala Beads
Beaded jewelry, in particular, has been around since humans have been on Earth and the fascination with beads has continued throughout the centuries. Though originally thought to be used only as adornments, archaeologists believe that eventually people began using beaded jewelry as a means for meditation and prayer. The word “mala” is a Sanskrit word that loosely translates as “garland” in English. These traditional “garland of beads” were a way to remain focused on a mantra (repeated phrase or sound) during meditation or prayer.
Many people have continued this tradition into the present day and regularly use malas in their meditation practice. In addition to using them for spiritual growth, in recent years mala beads have also become a popular and functional fashion accessory. Malas can be worn as a necklace or as a bracelet. True mala necklaces have 108 beads. Traditional smaller bracelets will have either 27 or 21 beads.
Today mala beads come in a variety of materials and colors, including wood, metal and stone, but originally they were crafted from the seeds of the lotus plant. Some malas include a tassel which is said to represent the lotus flower.
Whether or not you use mala beads to meditate, in addition to being beautiful, wearing them can also bring a sense of comfort and calm. It is not uncommon to find people using mala beads as worry beads to help with anxiety, to set positive affirmations, to remind them of important intentions or goals they wish to achieve, or even to just simply feel good!
The Significance of 108
There are numerous explanations for why a traditional mala necklace includes exactly 108 beads. To start, the Sanskrit alphabet has 54 letters and each letter is said to have a feminine and a masculine version, which totals 108. In addition, mathematicians have been fascinated with the number 108, primarily because it displays an “elegant divisibility and geometry, producing endless patterns” (yogajournal, 2021). The numbers 9 and 12 are also considered sacred in many traditions, and when you multiply 9 by 12 you get 108. It is said that the mathematician Leonardo Fibonacci believed that the number 108 “has a way of representing the wholeness of existence” (Himalayan Yoga Institute, 2021). The number also has connections to our solar system. The distance between the moon and the Earth is 108 times the diameter of the moon. Similarly, the distance between the Earth and the sun is 108 times the diameter of the sun (Himalayan Yoga Institute, 2021). The number even carries significance in the human body. Some traditions believe that human beings have a total of 108 different types of emotions. Thirty-six feelings associated with the past, 36 associated with the present and a final 36 based on their hopes and ambitions for the future. In other traditions, the human body is considered to have a total of 108 vital acupressure points. Other mala designers indicate that the number 1 represents the Universe or your highest truth, the 0 stands for emptiness and humility, and the 8 signifies infinity and timelessness (yogajournal, 2021).
For smaller malas, like bracelets, the number 27 is used because it is a division of 4 of the number 108. Occasionally 21 or 18 beads may be used for smaller wrist sizes. A centered guru “teacher” bead or “meru” bead is a part of every mala and is meant to serve as a reminder of your intentions or goals (japamalabeads, 2021).
While the true origin of the significance of this number may never be known, I love that the many explanations across history leave room for personal interpretation and insight. Whatever the reason for wearing your mala, trust that it is the right one…
The Symbol of the Lotus
The world renowned Vietnamese spiritual leader, Thich Nhat Hanh, once said, “No mud, no lotus.” This continues to be one of my favorite quotes. In the yogic tradition the lotus represents personal growth. We all have to go through some proverbial mud in life. Instead of avoiding or escaping life’s sufferings, we are reminded that the struggle is part of our natural journey. From the depths of the mud, the stem of a lotus emerges through the water and eventually makes its way to the surface. The path of the lotus is there to help us reflect on our own journey of personal growth. We are encouraged to move beyond the mud, through the ebbs and flows of life, to a place of inner peace and humility. This “awakening” is symbolized by the open petals of the lotus flower. It is powerful when a simple lotus jewelry charm can be our teacher and remind us that in life, without suffering the mud, we cannot experience the happiness of the lotus (Kelly, 2015).
The Meaning of “Om”
If you have ever attended a yoga class you will have assuredly heard the reverberating sound of Om chanted at the beginning or end of a session. And you have most likely seen the symbol for Om tattooed on someone’s wrist, or as a golden charm on someone’s necklace in said yoga class. Despite the fact that you’ve seen this emblem everywhere, you may not have stopped to think of what the symbol actually means.
The sound of Om (sometimes spelled Aum or Ohm), is often described as the vibration of the universe – essentially the sound of all existence. Chanting Om out loud is thought to have several physical health benefits including reducing stress by lowering heart rate and blood pressure and it can also help clear and open blocked sinuses (IndiaTimes, 2020).
The Om symbol is a series of curves, then a crescent, followed by a dot. The whole symbol is said to represent all of time – the past, the present and the future (Egen, 2021). Another interpretation of the symbol is that it represents the three states of consciousness – the state of awareness or waking state, the dream state, and the state of deep sleep or unconsciousness. The symbol also includes the state of illusion which can sometimes block us from reaching the fourth state of consciousness, which is that of true tranquility and peace. This fourth state is represented by the dot at the very top of the symbol (2021).
The symbol has been accepted by different faiths and belief systems around the world. This is probably because the ideas of peace, tranquility, and unity, which Om represent, are universally recognized and sought after. Both the symbol and the sound serve as a reminder for us slow down, take a deep breath, and enjoy our life in the present moment.
Yoga as a Symbol
In general, the yogic tradition itself is a symbol of unity. The word yoga is derived from the Sanskrit root “yuj” which means “to join,” “to yoke” or “to unite.” The practice of yoga has certainly united people from all over the world. Yoga is said to have come into being with the very dawn of civilization, thousands of years before other belief systems were born. However, “yoga does not adhere to any particular religion, belief system or community.” (Basavaraddi, 2015). Rather, it promotes personal well-being and anyone who practices yoga can realize its benefits, regardless of their faith, ethnicity or culture (2015). This bringing together of different worlds, connecting with others, also encourages the coming together of mind and body, physical self with the soul. And so, it is only fitting that the well-known symbols and adornments of yogis worldwide be ones that go beyond physical beauty, and in doing so, touch our hearts and speak to our souls.
Soul Candy
Whether it’s a mala bracelet or a lotus charm, knowing the deeper meanings and significance behind the symbolism serves to elevate our jewelry from mere Eye Candy to what I am lovingly calling, Soul Candy. Such adornments spark a conversation with a deeper part of us. When we wear pieces that whisper sweet nothings to our soul, then we too are elevated to a place beyond ourselves. We are joyful. We are present. We are at peace with ourselves and the world. We are connected to others who share in our symbolism. When you embrace the deeper meaning underneath the surface of beauty, you become united with a long line of jewelry-wearing ancestors that believe in the essence of the soul. Who knew jewelry could say all that?
What are some examples of “Soul Candy” that feed your soul? What does your jewelry whisper to you?
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