
Amulets
Sacred Charms of Power and Protection
Sheila Paine(Author)
Inner Traditions Bear and Company (Publisher)
Published on 20. September 2004
Book
Paperback/Softback
192 pages
978-1-59477-025-8 (ISBN)
Description
The first comprehensive illustrated study of the use of amulets around the world and throughout history
• Explores not only the substances and symbolism from which amulets derive, but also the people and objects they protect
• Explains the differences between and the purposes of amulets, talismans, charms, and fetishes
All over the world and throughout history amulets have offered protection against negative forces, whether witchcraft, the evil eye, enemies, sickness, or accidents. Intricately beautiful or starkly simple, they come in an astonishing variety of guises: from stones, shells, and seeds, through animal tails, teeth, and claws, to beads, mirrors, needles, and bells.
With over 400 lavish color photographs, this book explores amulets from every angle, including their symbolism and the diverse material used to craft them as well as the people and objects they protect. Sheila Paine traveled all over the world--from Afghanistan, Russia, and Albania, to Cameroon, Tunisia, and Mexico--to research the form, properties, and use of amulets, whether for health and safety or as channels for spiritual or magical powers. Worn as necklaces, sewn to clothing, painted on buildings, or hung in vehicles, amulets guard babies and brides; warriors, hunters, and travelers; livestock, crops, and homes through magical, not physical, means. Malign spirits and hobgoblins at crossroads have been feared since ancient times, but modern dangers--car crashes, new diseases, even cell phones--have ensured an abiding faith in the magical protection that amulets afford us that is still widely evident today.
• Explores not only the substances and symbolism from which amulets derive, but also the people and objects they protect
• Explains the differences between and the purposes of amulets, talismans, charms, and fetishes
All over the world and throughout history amulets have offered protection against negative forces, whether witchcraft, the evil eye, enemies, sickness, or accidents. Intricately beautiful or starkly simple, they come in an astonishing variety of guises: from stones, shells, and seeds, through animal tails, teeth, and claws, to beads, mirrors, needles, and bells.
With over 400 lavish color photographs, this book explores amulets from every angle, including their symbolism and the diverse material used to craft them as well as the people and objects they protect. Sheila Paine traveled all over the world--from Afghanistan, Russia, and Albania, to Cameroon, Tunisia, and Mexico--to research the form, properties, and use of amulets, whether for health and safety or as channels for spiritual or magical powers. Worn as necklaces, sewn to clothing, painted on buildings, or hung in vehicles, amulets guard babies and brides; warriors, hunters, and travelers; livestock, crops, and homes through magical, not physical, means. Malign spirits and hobgoblins at crossroads have been feared since ancient times, but modern dangers--car crashes, new diseases, even cell phones--have ensured an abiding faith in the magical protection that amulets afford us that is still widely evident today.
More details
Edition
Original ed.
Language
English
Place of publication
Rochester, VT
United States
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Unsewn / adhesive bound
Illustrations
Illustrations
Dimensions
Height: 258 mm
Width: 222 mm
Thickness: 15 mm
Weight
862 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-59477-025-8 (9781594770258)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Sheila Paine is an expert on tribal societies and textiles and is the author of Embroidered Textiles: Traditional Patterns from Five Continents and the trilogy The Afghan Amulet: Travels from the Hindu Kush to Razgrad, The Golden Horde: Travels from the Himalaya to Karpathos, Amulets and The Linen Goddess: Travels from the Red Sea to Prizren. She lives in England.
Content
1--Introduction: Mr Routledge and
the lions
2--Plague & pestilence
3--Babies & brides
4--Travellers & hunters
5--Warriors & weaponry
6--Body & soul
7--House & home
8--Trade & profit
9--Made to measure
10--Witches and the taxman
11--The owl and the pussycat
12--An eye for an eye
13--Captured magic
14--Sex & money
15--Goddesses & dolls
16--Lightning & stones
17--Silver & sparkle
18--Buttons, beads & blue
19--Red, white & black
20--Teeth, claws & paws
21--Horns & bones
22--Birds, feathers & hair
23--Snakes & fearful creatures
24--Water & the moon
25--Salt, garlic, incense & plants
26--Trees, rags & stitches
27--Tangles & triangles
28--Needles, iron & bells
29--Numbers & letters
30--Hands & crosses
31--Saints and the Church
Postscript
Acknowledgments
Bibliography
Picture credits
Index
the lions
2--Plague & pestilence
3--Babies & brides
4--Travellers & hunters
5--Warriors & weaponry
6--Body & soul
7--House & home
8--Trade & profit
9--Made to measure
10--Witches and the taxman
11--The owl and the pussycat
12--An eye for an eye
13--Captured magic
14--Sex & money
15--Goddesses & dolls
16--Lightning & stones
17--Silver & sparkle
18--Buttons, beads & blue
19--Red, white & black
20--Teeth, claws & paws
21--Horns & bones
22--Birds, feathers & hair
23--Snakes & fearful creatures
24--Water & the moon
25--Salt, garlic, incense & plants
26--Trees, rags & stitches
27--Tangles & triangles
28--Needles, iron & bells
29--Numbers & letters
30--Hands & crosses
31--Saints and the Church
Postscript
Acknowledgments
Bibliography
Picture credits
Index