Given the fact that jewelry has played such a role in human history, it is no wonder that handmade beaded jewelry makes such an important appearance in our myth and legends as well! If you have ever wondered if people were as fascinated with beaded jewelry in the past as we are today, take a look below for some famous examples of jewelry in our most famous stories.

The magic ring has played a large part in myths and legends from around the world. For instance, in the original Aladdin, while the most powerful djinn was summoned from the magic lamp, a less powerful djinn came from a magic ring. King Arthur’s magician Merlin was given a ring that forced him to fall in love with a young sorceress, while the Norse god Odin had an arm ring that would drop new gold rings from it every day.

Magical necklaces certainly have their place in myth and folklore as well. The Near Eastern goddess Inanna descended into the underworld and at each gate she was asked to leave more behind, and one of the objects she dropped was a string of lapis beads. The Yasakani no Magatama is part of the Imperial Regalia of Japan, which are used in the ceremony to enthrone the emperor. This beaded necklace was thought to have been hung on a tree outside of the sun goddess’s cave, to tempt her out of hiding after she had become frightened. Similarly, the Norse goddess Freya had a beautiful necklace known as Brisingamen, and when she wore it, no man could resist her!

Sometimes, particular gems will find their way into myths and legends. In Lithuania, for instance, it was once believed that there was a mermaid who displeased the gods by bringing a human lover to live with her in her amber palace. For a punishment, her palace was destroyed, and now she sits under the water weeping tears of amber for her lost live.

In Egypt, a menit was a beaded necklace with a flat counterpoise on the front and a counterweight on the back. This important piece of ceremonial jewelry was worn by devotees to the Egyptian goddess Hathor, and it was a sign of her authority and her ability to give her power to the pharaoh. Often, there would be art of the goddess Hathor hanging this necklace from the neck of the pharaoh or simply handing it to him as a sign of her approval.

As you can see, handmade beaded jewelry of various types and forms make up an important part of our myths and stories, no matter where we are in the world we are looking or with what culture.