A pendant necklace is a type of necklace that features a pendant – a hanging charm, gemstone, or other ornament. Pendant necklaces have been popular throughout history and across cultures as both fashionable jewelry and as symbols of faith, protection, status, or belonging. The pendant is often the focal point of the necklace, meant to be showcased and draw attention. The meaning behind a pendant can vary widely depending on the specific style, materials, engravings, or associated symbolism.
History and Origins
Pendant necklaces have been around for thousands of years, dating back to ancient civilizations. In ancient Egypt, both men and women wore broad collar necklaces from which plummets, discs, and drops were suspended. These pendants signified protection, status, devotion to certain gods or goddesses, and more. The ancient Sumerians, Assyrians, Babylonians, and Hebrews also wore pendant necklaces. Common pendant symbols included religious motifs, celestial emblems, symbols of deities, and more.
Gemstones were popular pendants in ancient China and India, believed to have protective powers or healing properties. Later, in Medieval Europe, Christians wore cross pendants to proclaim their faith. Chivalric knights wore pendants with coats of arms or devices of loyal love for maidens. Pendants could also contain painted portraits, relics, or locks of hair from loved ones.
Symbolic Meaning
Throughout history, pendant necklaces have carried many different symbolic meanings:
Religious or spiritual meaning – Religious pendants like crosses, stars of David, Hamsa hands, or zodiac signs can proclaim faith, invoke protection from a higher power, or connect the wearer to a belief system.
Protection – Since ancient times, amulets and talismans with symbols, gems, or runes have been worn to ward off evil and danger. Common protection symbols include the evil eye, angel wings, scarabs, and four-leaf clovers.
Luxury and status – Pendants made of gold, silver, diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and other precious materials signify wealth and social status. Elaborately crafted pendants flaunted affluence.
Beauty and fashion – Intricate, sparkling pendants have long been worn purely for adornment and to accentuate beauty. Popular motifs morph with changing fashion trends.
Love and relationships – Pendants given between romantic partners or close friends can represent affection. Lockets holding images of loved ones were sentimental.
Mourning – Following death, black lacquer or jet pendants memorialized loss in Victorian times. Hair or ashes were also encased to keep the dead close.
Membership or belonging – Groups use pendants to identify membership – like fraternities, sororities, clubs, societies, or gangs. Family crests connect wearers to lineage.
Personal meaning – Pendants can capture individual memories, interests, accomplishments, beliefs, or secrets. A charm necklace accrues personal mementos.
Common Pendant Styles, Symbols, and Meanings
Here are some of the more common pendant necklace styles, materials, symbols, and associated meanings:
Pendant Style | Typical Materials | Symbols and Meaning |
---|---|---|
Cross | Gold, silver | Represents Christian faith, sacrifice, and salvation through Jesus Christ |
Crucifix | Gold, silver | Catholic crucifix featuring Christ’s body emphasizes his sacrifice and suffering |
Star of David | Gold, silver | Important symbol of Judaism and Jewish identity. Invokes David’s shield for protection. |
Hamsa or Khamsa hand | Gold, silver | Middle Eastern amulet symbolizing the Hand of God and protection from the evil eye |
Eye of Horus | Gold | Ancient Egyptian symbol representing healing, protection, and wisdom |
Evil eye | Glass, beads | Found across many cultures to ward off envy and ill intent from others |
Angel wings | Gold, silver | Symbol of divine protection and guidance from guardian angels |
Fleur de lis | Gold, silver | Symbol of French royalty associated with style and luxury |
Key | Gold | Represents knowledge, mystery, and initiation in secret societies |
Locket | Gold, silver | Holds sentimental photos or mementos of loved ones |
Charm | Silver, gold | Expresses hobbies, interests, accomplishments |
Cameo | Shell, coral, glass | Carries image of goddess, loved one, or self as keepsake |
Gemstone | Diamond, emerald, etc. | Imparts healing, luck, protection based on stone meaning |
Pearl | Cultured pearl | Symbolizes innocence, faith, and purity. June birthstone. |
Heart | Gold, silver | Universal shape represents love and romance |
Family crest | Gold, silver | Declares lineage, ancestry, and family pride |
Monogram/initial | Gold, silver | Personalized with wearer’s initials to denote identity |
Birthstone | Gemstone of month | Symbolizes individual’s month of birth |
Zodiac sign | Gold, silver | Connects to astrology and mystical meaning of 12 zodiac signs |
Meaning Based on Materials
The materials used to craft a pendant necklace also influence its meaning:
Precious metals – Gold and silver pendants suggest wealth, status, and luxury. Gold necklaces were worn by ancient kings and elites. Silver has a cool, modern look.
Gemstones – Diamonds connote brilliance, sapphires faithfulness, emeralds vitality. Each gem has spiritual and symbolic associations.
Crystals – New Age healing crystals like amethyst, quartz, and turquoise impart properties like calm, balance, and protection.
Shells – Seashells connect the wearer to the ocean and beach. Cowrie shells represent fertility and womanhood.
Wood – Beaded wooden pendants symbolize nature, growth, and spiritual energy. Sandalwood and bodhi seed necklaces have Buddhist meaning.
Leather or bone – Organic materials represent the primitive and natural world. Leather has an earthy, bohemian vibe. Bone invokes tribal adornment.
Enamel – Vivid enameled pendants display lacquered images or symbols. Used to create religious icons and sentient amulets.
Glass – Art glass pendants symbolize creative craftsmanship. Dichroic glass shifts color dramatically.
Meaning Based on Necklace Length and Style
The length and style of the necklace chain also modifies meaning:
Choker length (14-16 inches) – Sitting tight around the throat, a choker pendant feels intimate and romantic. May indicate a “taken” woman.
Princess length (17-19 inches) – Hitting at the collarbone, this elegant “just right” length is versatile and classic.
Matinee length (20-25 inches) – Longer chains showcase pendants front and center. Implies modern confidence and boldness.
Opera length (28-34 inches) – Grazing the chest or sternum, extra long opera pendants make a dramatic style statement.
Lariat or Y-necklaces – Pendants suspended on a delicate chain below the collarbone add bohemian flair.
Multiple strands – Layered chains with pendants play with proportion. Doubled or tripled necklaces amplify impact.
Pendant on plain chain – A simple unadorned chain directs all attention to the pendant. Focuses on symbolism.
Pendant on beaded chain – Fun, funky beaded chain provides eye-catching contrast and texture.
Conclusion
The meaning behind a pendant necklace is diverse and personal. From religious devotion to magical protection to declarations of love, pendants have carried human hopes, desires, and beliefs for millennia. The specific style, length, materials, and symbols of the necklace modify meaning and message. Ultimately a pendant’s significance depends on the wearer’s intent and what the necklace represents to them. A pendant channels faith, love, identity, and self-expression from the heart to the outside world.