Pendant

Overview and History of Pendants

• Pendants are among the oldest recorded types of bodily adornment
• Ancient Egyptians commonly wore pendants, some shaped like hieroglyphs
• Pendants can serve several functions, such as awards, identification, ornamentation, ostentation, protection, and self-affirmation
• Specialized types of pendants include lockets and pendilia
• Pendants can be incorporated into necklaces or stand as separate items

Types of Pendants

• Amulets are wearable pendants believed to possess magical or spiritual power
• Talismans are objects that confer special benefits or powers upon the wearer
• Lockets are small objects that open to reveal a space for holding a small object, like a photograph
• Medallions are coin-shaped pendants worn around the neck or pinned onto clothing

Pendant Painting and Symbolism

• Pendant painting refers to a pair of paintings conceived as a set
• Couples often gift pendants as a marriage proposition in some cultures

Functional Pendants

• Travellers sundial pendant is a portable form of astronomical rings used to tell time from the sun
• Tools like Maori pounamu pendants, shepherds whistles, bosuns whistles, and ocarinas can be worn as pendants
• Portable astronomical and navigational instruments have been made as pendants
• In the 21st century, jewellers started incorporating USB flash drives into pendants

Fashion Pendants

• Fashion pendants are small creative pieces made from precious or non-precious stones and metals
• They hang freely from a chain or necklace and are worn as a statement piece or fashion ornament

Pendant Mentions

Pendant Data Sources