| Given the fact that jewelry has played such a | | | | goddess's cave, to tempt her out of hiding after |
| role in human history, it is no wonder that | | | | she had become frightened. Similarly, the Norse |
| handmade beaded jewelry makes such an | | | | goddess Freya had a beautiful necklace known as |
| important appearance in our myth and legends as | | | | Brisingamen, and when she wore it, no man could |
| well! If you have ever wondered if people were | | | | resist her! |
| as fascinated with beaded jewelry in the past as | | | | Sometimes, particular gems will find their way into |
| we are today, take a look below for some | | | | myths and legends. In Lithuania, for instance, it |
| famous examples of jewelry in our most famous | | | | was once believed that there was a mermaid |
| stories. | | | | who displeased the gods by bringing a human |
| The magic ring has played a large part in myths | | | | lover to live with her in her amber palace. For a |
| and legends from around the world. For instance, | | | | punishment, her palace was destroyed, and now |
| in the original Aladdin, while the most powerful | | | | she sits under the water weeping tears of amber |
| djinn was summoned from the magic lamp, a less | | | | for her lost live. |
| powerful djinn came from a magic ring. King | | | | In Egypt, a menit was a beaded necklace with a |
| Arthur's magician Merlin was given a ring that | | | | flat counterpoise on the front and a |
| forced him to fall in love with a young sorceress, | | | | counterweight on the back. This important piece |
| while the Norse god Odin had an arm ring that | | | | of ceremonial jewelry was worn by devotees to |
| would drop new gold rings from it every day. | | | | the Egyptian goddess Hathor, and it was a sign of |
| Magical necklaces certainly have their place in | | | | her authority and her ability to give her power to |
| myth and folklore as well. The Near Eastern | | | | the pharaoh. Often, there would be art of the |
| goddess Inanna descended into the underworld | | | | goddess Hathor hanging this necklace from the |
| and at each gate she was asked to leave more | | | | neck of the pharaoh or simply handing it to him |
| behind, and one of the objects she dropped was | | | | as a sign of her approval. |
| a string of lapis beads. The Yasakani no | | | | As you can see, handmade beaded jewelry of |
| Magatama is part of the Imperial Regalia of Japan, | | | | various types and forms make up an important |
| which are used in the ceremony to enthrone the | | | | part of our myths and stories, no matter where |
| emperor. This beaded necklace was thought to | | | | we are in the world we are looking or with what |
| have been hung on a tree outside of the sun | | | | culture. |