Do you wear any religious jewelry and/or symbols?

Question

If so, what form of jewelry and what symbols representing what religion how? Also, do you wear it/them where others can see it? Has anybody ever asked about it/them? Any conflict because of them? Just curious.

I myself like to wear a necklace with a dragon claw holding a blue marble at the end. The claw has four toes representing the four elements to me, and the blue marble represents water which is the element of my sign, Scorpio. Also, my Chinese zodiac sign happens to be the dragon. In effect, it represents me and my being Eclectic by borrowing bits from different religions to make a unique religion that works for just me.
I also wear a ring with the Star of David on it representing my Jewish upbringing.

I do wear both where people can see them. I've only been asked once about the necklace. The person was just curious what it was.

Answer 1

I wear a silver greenman pendant on a necklace, where everyone can see it. The greenman (look at my avatar pic) is one of the oldest and most widely spread pagan symbols, present in nearly all the original pagan religions.
Hardly anybody ever pays any attention to it, I guess they just write it off as an ornament or something.

I also carry with me a Mjollner (Or Mjolnir as some people spell it), but I keep it away from sight because nowadays it's somewhat popular to wear one among the stupid kids who think Thor is a cool Marvel character or listen to too much viking metal. I don't want to be mistaken with that lot. Those, to whom my loyalty is important, will know I keep it.

Answer 2

I wear a mjolnir for a number of reasons. First, it is a symbol of my religion (Asatru). Mjolnir means "lightening" and it was the name of Thor's hammer. A piece of jewelry, regardless of what it is, can have multiple meanings. Some people associate the mjolnir with the strength of Thor while others think of it as a symbol of protection. What does it mean to me? Well, let's just say I wear it for the same reason Christians wear the cross. It gives me a little reassurance that there is a higher power looking out for me and it gives me a chance to honor those who came before me. (A big part of Asatru is ancestor worship).

My mjolnir is attached to a silver chain that I wear around my neck in plain view for everyone to see. Occasionally, someone will notice it and ask about it but that rarely happens. When they do ask, I try to provide the simplest explanation in order to avoid confusion. There has never been any conflict because of it. Most people don't really get upset about something as inconspicuous as a piece of jewelry.

I hope that answers your question.

Answer 3

As a Protestant, I don't worship the cross itself -- it serves only as symbolic emblem reminding us of Christ's death on our behalf. More meaning to it than a faux chrome bumper fish , I suppose, but ---- I wouldn't necessarily consider it SACRILEGE or a BLASPHEMY for a non-Christian to wear a cross -- although I might be curious what REASON they could have for WANTING to wear one -- unless they were Caesar worshippers, maybe...?? However, I must confess that I still might cringe a little if I saw them wearing it the way SOME popular people have done recently.. But, that probably has to do with my getting older every year, moseso than any particular religious leanings. Just the memory of when "high fashion" and "good taste" actually meant something.... Watching generations of kids practicing a lot of tacky "recycled" fashion trends has been wearing a little thin, IMO --- especially on the 4-to-7 year girl's world..... (Though, truthfully, fashion is probably one place, I REALLY have no business "judging"...I've got that whole Baby Boomer Mom/Baby Boomer Grandma "tees and capris" thing down to a uniform.... ;D I just still like to see kids dressed like kids, and not recycled Madonna/Gaga/Twilight/hip-hop/ or "whatever" mini - clones --- just because so few designers have anything decent to offer.... ) Eeek! Sorry. Didn't mean to get off into a rant here....

Answer 4

I sometimes wear a necklace that has my name in Hebrew. I neither place it in such a way that others can always see it, nor would I ever hide it.

And yes, sometimes I do get asked about it. But the nicest thing about it is if for example, I'm on a tube train, or in a cafe somewhere in London, and there happen to be some Israelis there!

I love the necklace you wear, and think it's great that you've found a unique way of expressing your religious identity.

Answer 5

Yes, I do wear jewelry with symbols of my faith, rather often.
No, nobody has ever asked about them, except to ask where I might have gotten a certian piece.
I am a Christian, and don't at all mind letting people around me know.

Answer 6

I am a Wiccan and i wear my most precious Pentacle with an Amythest stone in the center and matching earrings that were given to me by my good friend from here Aussie Witch 50! I never hide them! If my clothes are going to cover them i put it on a longer chain! I also have a heamatite ring engraved with my Witch name and a pentacle....
The only time i dont wear my earrings is when i find my daughter has pinched them! Teenagers!!!
Blessed Be!
Ariel
)O(

Answer 7

I wear a cross around my neck and a wedding band on my left rinf finger. They both serve similar purposes. People may see a man flirting with a woman, and think nothing of it, but were he wearing a wedding band, his behavior would be held to a higher standard. My wedding band tells the world, "I am married, treat me as a married man and hold me to that standard." Likewise, wearing a cross (or yin-yang, Magen Dawid, pagan charm, or other religious symbol) tells society that one is to be held to the standards not only of this world, but of that religion.

I have not been asked about my cross because I work in a factory and I have to keep it tucken in, away from moving machine parts, but I have been asked about my management style, which I gladly explain stems from my belief that all people are equal in the eyes of God, and I should serve my company and my employees as if I were erving Jesus the Messiah himself.

Unfortunately, all too many Christians, Pagans, Buddhists, etc. fall far too short of living a life that would make people stop and say, "Hey, (s)he's really living out the teachings of Jesus, the Buddha, the ancient sages, the Levitical Law, etc."

Answer 8

I have tattoos that I wear - does that count? : )

Both are spiritual initiation symbols, or compilations of symbols. The one on my ankle is readily visible, the one on my shoulder not so much. I rarely get questions about them.
I also wear bracelets, one with kundalini snaking her way along, and the other with mantra. Rare to get questions on those either. All of them relate directly to my path, and what I'm doing here in the first place. Buddhist, tantra, self realization, enlightenment.

Answer 9

I have a CTR (Choose The Right) ring and a tie clip portraying the Angel Moroni. Most LdS recognize them instantly while those of other faiths don't even realize they are religious symbols.

Answer 10

I have a bronze hand of Eris that I wear and a Sacred Chao that needs cleaning. I've had craft people try to make the Mandela but it seems impossible as described.