Nyaminyami pendants in silver and gold

African Symbols of Love

Like the Irish Claddagh ring that symbolises love and friendship, the nyaminyami symbolises love for all and the practise of Ubuntu. Other African symbols can represent power, fertility and a hundred other things that African considered necessary in their lives – from protection from evil to honouring their ancestors. Love symbols in African culture include the Zulu love beads – but as a single African symbol for love – maybe the nyaminyami. It is certainly a great symbol for Ubuntu!

In African culture, symbols represent the world around …. the connection with the natural surroundings is very strong. Symbols using animals, trees and the other world are used in charms and talismans. Sangomas and witch doctors have their own trinkets that represent their particular trade – and are used in the making of spells and muthi – but these cannot really be said to be symbols as we understand them – they are specific to a certain trade or science. Tribal symbols are represented in African masks and carvings. In certain tribes, especially in the Aboriginal tribes, tattoos play a huge part in symbolism – but, again, not specific tattoo for love? These symbols are used for specific rituals and ceremonies. Love symbols in western culture include the heart and the rose. Engagement rings and wedding rings are probably the most widely worn symbols of love. Cuddly toys and soppy cards are also widely given as symbols of love. In modern times tattoos have also been used to show ones commitment to another.

Adrinka symbols As far as recognised African symbols for love they are few and far between. The Adrinka have what I consider as the most comprehensive range of symbols. The poignant “love does not get lost on it’s way home” symbol is the only African love symbol I could find. A quick search on the Internet will show the same Chinese symbol for love, Celtic love knots and hearts and more hearts.

It is quite strange that such a huge subject and human emotion such as love has no universally recognised symbol (apart from the heart). Even more strange is that each culture does not have a recognised symbol for love. The question “what is love” has been floating around unanswered since time began. Healers and fortune tellers are asked continually for more insight into love, yet the symbols are non existent. Look for love quotes and love poems and you will find thousands of references and material. Every poet, at some stage in his career, has written a love poem, and in fact have most human beings. Why then are there so few symbols for love?

The yin yang and the triquetta have been used often enough as a make do symbol for love – but the true meanings of these symbols are not love – but incorporate love in the holistic meaning, so while they may be used for love they are not actually perfect symbols. I suppose one needs to separate romantic love with true love. One should also find what concept of love is being sought – love for a child, love for a country, love for an object (if such a love is actually real?). Going back in history there are no shortage of love stories – from the Mayans to the ancient Greeks, history is plastered with myths, stories and documented love related incidents – yet no plethora of symbols – perhaps love is such a huge subject with so many facets that one symbol cannot incorporate the entire subject? While this kind of thinking may satisfy the uniformed it leaves more questions than answers. Look for symbols of protection, and every culture has something, look for symbols of luck or fertility – many cultures have a symbol for these – but no love symbol. And if it is such a multifaceted subject, why then are there not many symbols representing all the different facets of love? Apart from the wedding ring which represents love between two people, and in fact commitment, not love – there is no symbol to be found. Do you have an answer – I would love (s) to hear from you on this subject – what are your thoughts?

African Charms and symbols

African charms in silver and gold. African charms using African symbols like the nyaminyami pendant and the Famous Africa 5 mask pendants. Symbols from Africa crafted into African jewelry.

Guardian of the Ancestors

Jewelry from Africa and silver charms for charm bracelets made in South Africa. African masks and African animals incorporated into beautiful jewelry and gifts. Spoon, salt pots and sculptures. Looking for African Symbols to use in jewelry is not always easy. Many of the meanings of African symbols have been lost or are are only known to the tribes that use them. African masks offer a wealth of African symbolism – and they make wonderful African charms and African pendants in jewelry. When looking at masks – westerners often assume that the mask is a work of art – this is not the case – African art and African masks are not the same – An African carver of masks will not look to carve anything original – but rather will seek to copy his master, and faithfully replicate the design – the masks are used for ceremonies and functions. Each mask has a use and a meaning, such as protection or to appease the ancestors. They would be used and then put away – or a mask such as an ancestral guardian mask would be permanently mounted. Many of the masks are worn at ceremonies – and some of them are really terrifying to look at. It would seem that their scary appearance serves to solidify the fear that many tribal peoples a have for the supernatural and the other world.

One has to wonder about why this is done? Tribal customs and beliefs, in the modern world, must be a form of keeping a firm grip on the population or tribes. With T.V. and radio, and the slow creep of Christianity, certain elders and those in power must feel their control slipping away. Fear is one of the best ways to control people – and using African traditional ways is one way to firm power with ignorant, rural peoples. Many traditional ways are far better for their populations – and these should be kept and in fact promoted above western ways that seek to undermine traditional ways of life. On the other hand there are also aspects of African culture that are abominable – and these need to be weeded out. Culture is a living thing … and as such should be allowed to grow, develop and change to suit the times and circumstances. There are many who use culture as an excuse to hold on to power, keep woman under control and maintain the status quo – this is a crime – and if these people are living in a democracy it is against the law. Men, especially have a lot to answer for. There are those that would have democracy for men – but not for woman and children. They enjoy democracy for themselves, but as soon as their wives, girl friends or mothers ask for the same rights they fall back on barbaric African custom and cultural practises. Africa, and the world, has a long way to go before we can say everyone is equal – and certain cultural practises have a lot to answer for in this respect.

OK – way of subject but that needed to be said – African Symbols and African Charms, are still used in Africa. Most African jewelry worn by modern Africans does not mean anything, but is merely for adornment. A lot of the African pendants are non tribal and designed by jewelers that have no interest in ancient beliefs, but rather a fascination for form and design. The use of animal charms and mask charms are often designed and made purely for tourists, with the locals having no interest in them. The gold charms and gold jewelry is designed for an international market, intended to turn a profit. Many visitors to Africa do not understand this – and often curios in Africa are actually made in China – mass produced and sold as African artifacts and tribal charms. This in itself is not a bad thing – the global village is smaller and smaller everyday – but seasoned travellers should know this and ask the right questions when buying so called “African jewellery“.

African Symbols of Love

African Charms and symbols

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