An amulet, similar to a talisman (Arabic: طلاسم / transliterated: tilasim), is any object intended to bring good luck or protection to its owner.
Potential amulets include gems, especially engraved gems, statues, coins, drawings, pendants, rings, plants and animals; even words said in certain occasions—for example: vade retro satana—(Latin, "go back, Satan"), to repel evil or bad luck. The word "amulet" comes from the Latin amuletum; earliest extant use in Pliny's Natural History, meaning "an object that protects a person from trouble".
Talismans 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. The power of the amulet would be understood to be transmitted to the water, and thus to the bather. With internal amulets, inscriptions would be written or inscribed onto food, which was then boiled. The resulting broth, was believed to transfer the healing qualities engraved on the food into the person who consumes it.
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.[1]
[edit]Judaism
Amulets are plentiful in the Jewish tradition, with examples of Solomon-era amulets existing in many museums. Due to proscription of idols, Jewish amulets emphasize text and names—the shape, material or color of an amulet makes no difference.[2][3] 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" is of Greek origin.[4]
A little-known but well-worn amulet in the Jewish tradition is the kimiyah or "angel text". This consists of names of angels or Torah passages written on parchment squares by rabbinical scribes. The parchment is then placed in an ornate silver case or leather pouch and worn someplace on the body.[5]
A Mezuzah is also a Jewish amulet.
[edit]Christianity
The Catholic Church, and Christian authorities in general, have always been wary of amulets and other talismans. However, the legitimate use ofsacramentals, as long as one has the proper disposition, is encouraged in traditional Christianity. For example, the crucifix is considered a powerfulapotropaic against demons and fallen spirits, and rosaries or St. Christopher medals are frequently hung on rear-view mirrors of vehicles in Christian cultures as a way of invoking God's protection during travel.
Although Christians are permitted to own sacramentals, they must keep in mind that the object has no power of its own. It is the power of God that helps them, and the sacramentals are merely blessed with God's grace. Their primary use is that of a reminder.
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.[6]
[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 of Conrad II (1024–1039) referred to the power of the cross against evil.[7] 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. In Christian culture, it is considered to be one of the most effective means of averting or opposing demons, as stated by many exorcists, including the famous exorcist of the Vatican, Father Gabriele Amorth.[8]
[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.[9]
[edit]Scapulars
Some Catholic sacramentals are believed to defend against evil, by virtue of their association with a specific saint or archangel. The Scapular 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?.[10]
[edit]Holy water
The Catechism of the Catholic Church (number 301) specifically refers to the use of holy water for "protection from the powers of darkness."[11] 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.[12] The use of holy water in the Catholic Church is a very ancient tradition, which, according to some accounts, was instituted in apostolic times by St. Matthew the Apostle.
[edit]Islam
Muslims also wear such amulets, called Ta'wiz, with chosen text from the Qur'an. The text is generally chosen depending on the situation for which the amulet is intended. Generally however, usage of amulets and other talismans is considered superstitious among more mainstream Muslims.
[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 milky chalcedony, Sol on heliotrope, Mars on red jasper, Ceres on green jasper and Bacchus on amethyst.[13] 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 VTEREFELIX (UTERE FELIX) or "good luck to the user."[14] 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.[15] Bulla or phallic amulets could be given to young children for similar reasons—protection from the Evil Eye. Other icons used for this purpose in Ancient Rome include dogs, ravens, an eye pierced with an arrow, a hand with an open palm or dwarfs with large phalluses, women with large breasts to promote fertility.
[edit]Amulets and talismans in folklore
Amulets and talismans 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 ChristianTrinity).[16]
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.[17] 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.[18]
[edit]Buddhism
As far as Amulets Talismans and Magic Charms go, it must be said that in the Modern Age, there is only one country which is known around the world for its immense quantity of incredibly varied ranges of Sacred Amulets, purportedly endowed with the power to perform miracles. These Essentially Buddhist amulets are made by Bhikkhus (Buddhist Monks), Brahman Masters and Ruesi Sages (Yogis), who practice renunciation in various levels and develop their psychic powers in meditation. These Masters will bless the amulets in various manners, according to each particular 'Dtamra' (Lineage Method). Using JHanic Powers along with Kasina elemental porjection they endow the amulets with the powers of Kong Grapan Chadtri (Invincibility against sharp or projectile weapons), Metta (Charm and attraction) and other magical spells to protect the wearers from all ills. There are literally hundreds and hndreds of thousands (if not millions) of different amulets in Thailand, which range from thousands of years old to this very year. Ancient and Modern amulets enjoy the same or more popularity than they did 2000 years ago, and devotees and believers from all around the world wear, rever and collect Thai Buddhist and Animist amulets with almost as much fervour as the Thais. For those who have never heard of the Thai Amulet, perhaps it may come as a surprise to know that almost every person in Thailand has at least one amulet in their possession, and most people wear them around their necks, as rings, armbands, on the dashboard of the car or bus, at home and almost anywhere you could imagine except forbidden places like toilets and bathrooms. [19]
Some other forms of Buddhism also have a deep and ancient talismanic tradition. In the earliest days of Buddhism, just after the Buddha's death circa 485 BC, amulets bearing the symbols of Buddhism were common. Symbols such as conch shells, the footprints of the Buddha, and others were commonly worn. After about the 2nd century BC, Greeks began carving actual images of the Buddha. These were hungrily acquired by native Buddhists in India, and the tradition spread.[20]
In addition to protection against supernatural powers, amulets are also used for protection against other people. For example, soldiers and those involved in other dangerous activities may use talismans to increase their luck. Carlist soldiers wore a medal of the Sacred Heart of Jesus with the inscription ¡Detente bala! ("Stop, bullet!"). Amulets can serve as focal points in fiction works, such as the story Grimpow by Spanish author Rafael Ábalos.[21]
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