Kauri Shells: Magic and History in Your Jewelry

Paulina Zambrzycka | Jewelry
Kauri Shells: Magic and History in Your Jewelry
muszelki kauri - porcelanki

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More and more often we see jewelry on the street, decorated with kauri shells. This is a very fashionable accessory this year, which fits perfectly into the summer holiday months. Shells are associated with the sea, vacations and the home of the snail. After all, they are the homes of porcelains precisely - that is, families of sea snails. However, are kauri shells just a piece of jewelry? Or are they, however, something much. more valuable? In this article we will look not only at their aesthetic dimension, but also at the deep cultural and historical meanings that accompany these beautiful shells.

Kauri shells as magical amulets

Already our ancestors believed that kauri shells have a unique power. Power. not of this earth. The ancient Greeks thought that kauri shells resembled somewhat. female sexual organs! That is why they decided to dedicate them to the Greek goddess of beauty, Aphrodite. They also used them as love amulets, making them not only jewelry, but also objects of great emotional significance. Depending on the situation, kauri shells became viagra for them (inserted into their bedding to add vigor!) or. a cure for infertility! In Rome, women would hang such shells in front of their homes, believing that they could bring blessings and good fortune. When a Roman woman wanted to have a child, she had to rub her lower abdomen with the porcelain. This was supposed to ensure their very abundant lactation and the happy birth of a child. Although no one believes in such "miracles" these days, kauri shells are still a mandatory part of pregnant women's attire in countries such as Portugal, Italy and Spain, where they wear necklaces with tiny shells, hoping for a happy birth and protection from demons.

These beautiful, tiny porcelain shells are mainly caught in the paradisiacal Maldives. In the 19th century, they were fished there over. 90 billion! It is worth noting that white colonists bought black slaves for kauri shells, which shows how great a role they played in the trade and economy of the time. Kauri used to be a clearing currency also in China, India, as well as Arab countries. To this day, kauri shells not only adorn holiday jewelry, but also appear on coins and banknotes (such as in Cuba, Haiti and Australia). In Fiji, kauri shells are the equivalent of our. crown, which means that high achievers must wear ornaments made from them. Interestingly, the Nigerian god of wisdom Orunmila used them to foretell the future, just as tarot cards are laid out in Poland. All this shows how versatile and important kauri shells were in various cultures.

Kauri the work. of the gods?

In ancient Egypt, kauri shells were blown like a trumpet - using the appropriate holes to accompany funeral ceremonies. In Japan, the faithful were similarly exhorted to pray. The shape of the kauri shells seemed so perfect that almost everywhere they were regarded as. works of the gods. Even the witches of New Guinea made themselves ropes out of these tiny porcelains to protect them from disease or evil charms. Madagascar is home to the Betsimisaraka tribe, which worships seashells, believing that it is in them that good spirits browse. The Aztecs looked for the god of light and the sun (Quetzalcoatl) in these shells, believing that through them they would know his origin. Such beliefs show how deeply kauri shells have grown into various traditions and rituals, becoming a symbol of spirituality and protection.

Interestingly, in Japan to date, the shape of the shells is believed to resemble the Japanese sign for "water." That's why Japanese residents hang them in front of their homes to guard against lightning strikes or fire. In Fiji, shells are used instead of. a compass, pointing the way for sailors and sailors who hope to return home with. abundant fishing! So they attach them (one under the other) to the bows of their boats, making them not only decorative objects, but also practical in everyday life. Such uses testify to the remarkable versatility of kauri shells in various cultural contexts.

Kauri shells in Christian culture

Interestingly, shells are associated not only with ancient beliefs and tribes, but can also be seen in Catholic temples. Note the shape they have. baptismal fonts. Reportedly, in the life of the pearl, the Church saw a link to the Annunciation and the Resurrection of the Lord. The pearl is a metaphor for the baby Jesus, and the shells, like Jesus, come from. nowhere - leading to a reference to the Immaculate Conception. Kauri shells have also become a symbol of the Virgin Mary, and their presence in churches, cemeteries or religious ceremonies emphasizes their spiritual significance. Very popular is the St. James shell, which is a symbol of pilgrims and pilgrimage itself, which shows how deeply kauri shells have taken root in Christian symbolism.

Do kauri really. hum?

The secret of shell humming is a childhood mystery! You've probably heard that seashells hum because it. the sea hums. However, some believe that these distinctive noises come not from the great water, but from the land! Supposedly, this is how everything that happens around us is resonated. So there is no denying that seashells to this day are a magical object that can turn any gray, dreary day into. an extraordinary one! Therefore, it is not surprising that jewelry with kauri shells is worn so often, and especially in the summer. After all, it is then, with a kauri amulet around the neck or hand, that one can experience. the most beautiful adventures in life! Their presence in jewelry not only adds charm, but also reminds us of the extraordinary history and magic behind these small works of nature.


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