Pakistani Clothes
Salwar Kameez
Shalwar Kameez Craze
Latest Indian Fashion
Latest Pakistani Fashion
Dhanak Fashions Exclusive Fashion Boutique
Rituals Of Native American Jewelry
The rituals of Native American jewelry has played a big role in past and present Native American beliefs and is the symbol for nature in tribal ceremonies, and represents individual status in Indian culture. Natural materials were used in their jewelry making, including feathers along with minerals and gem stones, such as turquoise and silver.
For thousands of years, turquoise has been treasured both for its natural beauty as well as its presumed power to heal. Turquoise is a sacred stone that has been used for centuries to adorn ritual objects and is still considered a cherished possession by Native American Indians of the Navajo, Hopi, Zuni, Pueblo and other indian nations. History even dates back as early as to Ancient Egypt, as exquisite turquoise adornments have been uncovered in tombs. These natural materials were a reminder of the Earth around them.
Religious jewelry has played a significant role in Native American culture. During healing ceremonies and tribal rituals, the indian people would take care and pride in wearing only specific types of religious native jewelry that were the right colors, materials, and representing the proper symbol for that ritual event. Native American history tells us that the jewelry worn by the native people is representative of the different stages of life an individual has risen to. In many Native American tribes the young people are brought into adulthood when they acquire the spiritual totem consisting of shells, beads, or other symbols of nature. Native American religious jewelry was often given to women after there first menstrual cycle as achieving womanhood and to newly united couples for health, happiness and fruitful forth comings along the path of family life.
Because our culture today uses jewelry mostly for decorative purposes we often forget the roots of jewelry and how, to some cultures, it can have a deeper spiritual meaning. Recognizing the importance of this religious jewelry in other cultures allows us to see the greater symbolic uses that jewelry can be used for.
Today. our society and culture adorns the Native American jewelry for it's elegance and fashion and most people are not aware of the religious, ritual and ceremonial values of this jewelry. By recognizing and understanding the values set on Native American indian jewelry we can learn to admire the symbolic beauty of this Native American culture.
The author Chet Holcomb of Native American Indian Jewelry has done extensive research into American Indian culture concerning the history and rituals of Native American Jewelry that is so elegant and treasured by so many.
