The Amazing Marigold - From Love Charms to Chicken Feed

Marigolds are a fascinating flower with a wide variety of uses and symbolic meanings in different cultures. Marigolds are commonly known as the "Herb of the Sun" and are generally symbolic of passion and creativity. The various meanings and uses of marigolds make an intriguing botanical study.

The Welsh believed that if marigolds were not open early in the morning, then a storm was on the way. Marigolds have also been used as love charms and incorporated into wedding garlands. Water made from marigolds was once thought to induce psychic visions of fairies if rubbed on the eyelids. In some cultures, marigold flowers have been added to pillows to encourage prophetic or psychic dreams.

The marigold is also associated with the lion and the astrological sign Leo. In addition, early Christians named the flower "Mary's Gold" and offered the blossoms in place of money at the foot of statues of Mother Mary. The Portuguese introduced marigolds into India. Eventually the flower was offered to the Hindu gods Vishnu and Lakshmi. The marigold was also considered to be sacred among the Aztec Indians, who decorated their temples with the flower.

The marigold was once thought to protect against the plague and to be effective in stopping gossip. Interestingly, the marigold can also symbolize cruelty and jealousy. When used in combination with spells, however, the marigold is an anti-dote for the sharp-tongued and promotes cheery conversations.

Marigolds can be found in Europe, Africa and the Americas. Marigolds can adapt to a wide range of conditions, but prefer full sun and rich soils. The marigold is a hardy plant, usually with yellow, orange or rusty red blooms. Marigolds have what many people consider to be a disagreeable odor. Some varieties have been bred to be odor-free, but this negates their use as a plant that wards off insects in gardens. Marigolds are grown from seeds and range in height from 6 to 36 inches. The blossoms can be from 1/2 inch to 5 inches across.

The uses of marigolds vary widely in the different locales where marigolds grow. For example, in some places the leaves of marigolds have been used to remove warts. Marigolds are also grown and harvested in Mexico to be added to chicken feed. Chickens eating marigold-enriched feed produce eggs with a deep yellow color. The flesh of chickens fed marigolds also take on a rich color to make them more appealing for human consumption. The marigold blossoms are quite edible for humans, too, and are often used in egg and cheese dishes. The blossoms also make a yellow dye for fabric.

This amazing flower comes in such a wide variety of sizes and colors that there is sure to be a marigold to suit any garden. Marigolds also do well as cut flowers. In addition to their use in summer bouquets, the common orange, red and rust colors are perfect for autumn arrangements. Make sure to enjoy marigolds this year both outdoors and indoors!

Kathleen Karlsen, MA is an artist, writer and design consultant residing in Bozeman, Montana. Kathleen is best known for her contemporary impressionism style and her colorful forest, landscape and flower paintings. Kathleen's original art and fine art gifts can be seen at http://www.livingartsoriginals.com For an extensive article about flower symbolism see http://www.livingartsoriginals.com/infoflowersymbolism.htm To see a selection of Kathleen's flower paintings, please visit http://www.livingartsoriginals.com/originalfloralart.htm

Italian Charms - A Touch of Italy, Wherever You Go

One of the latest trend to hit the market today is the Italian charm bracelets as the jewelry itself is always linked to the uniqueness of everything Italy such as the food, the view of the landscapes, history and so on.

Another main reason for the fame and lasting power of this trend is the availability of choices of charms in the market. The Italian charm bracelet is actually a series of individual modular links hooked together on a stretchy band to form a single bracelet. Usually these bracelets consists of eighteen links with each link featuring a face either a design or an image soldered onto the actual charm link. It doesn't really matter what your personality or tastes are like, there will always be an Italian charm bracelet for you. You can also have a theme or topic to inspire your Italian charm. There is a variety of material that the charms are made of some are sterling silver, gold, and enamel or plastics and beads. Depending on material type, the face of the charm that features the design can be soldered or glued to the link. Gemstones can also be incorporated into the design of the charms. With variety of choices, motifs and styles, it is hard to find two identical charm bracelets unless of course you order a custom-made identical charm for you and your lover.

Charm bracelet usually would comprise of eighteen blank links connected together. To produce a personalized bracelet, the blank links are then replaced with individually designed charms. One will usually find them in a form of flat and modular links that can be hooked together. These charms would feature individual pieces soldered flat onto the surface of the joining link.

One of the hottest trends in Italian charms at present is the picture or photo charms. Not only are these full of fun, it can also feature any photo you like, from your pets to your boyfriend. The sky is the limit when it comes to pictures to be used on them. For instance, take a funny picture of yourself to give to your loved ones or you can even add a caption to your picture. These will make splendid gifts that the recipient will treasure for many years to come. A photo is a perfect representation of a memory and it speaks a thousand words. One can look back at a photo 50 years later and will be filled with memories about it and it will still be protected and undamaged no matter how many times it's worn.

Buying these wonderful charms' products need not be a hassle. Hook onto the world wide web and you are just a few clicks away from owning your very own piece of a wonderful art to call your own. So don't wait, get on there now and make that purchase to showcase your personality today.

The author is a consultant at an online Italian charm store, GoldCupJewelry.com. There you'll be able to find an Italian charm starter bracelet, a keychain for the man or woman in your life, and a huge variety of charms.

Italian Charms - A Unique Fashion Trend

Clothes and accessories are not only a sign of the latest fashion. Now people tend to accessorize themselves with something they want to share with others. It is usually related to beliefs and principles. Accessories like bracelets are a great way to show your individuality. Items like charm bracelets are also believed to bestow luck on to the wearer.

The Italian charms bracelets can be decorated with real or fake gemstones on gold plated or 18 karat gold charm face. The charm face is fixed on to the back stainless steel back side with strong glue.

Most of the time, Italian charms are crafted to be in the form of a bracelet. What makes these bracelet special is you can personalized the bracelet to your own liking and personal desire. This is because the blank flat links has standardized sizing and are well compatible across any other brand. This gives the wearer a flexibility to change the link of the bracelet to suit the mood or the interest of the individual at any time.

The charm bracelets can be given a theme to it because of its ability to be changed according to preferences. Therefore, this will make them an excellent present for family members and friends. They can also be put on to show others your favorite color or to give yourself a motivation. The many designs you can choose for the bracelets are made possible by techniques like laser, hand paints, photos or even deluxe link.

As the trend progresses, the manufactures has come up with brilliant ideas in improvising and adding more designs in not only the bracelets but also creating new genre of accessories such as Italian charm keychains and photo bracelet. Italian charm key chain is a perfect way to start your Italian charm collection. They would usually resemble and look very much like the bracelet charm but the difference is that it will be attached with a key ring instead. It would be fashionably hip to hook this item onto your jeans bag, belt and also backpacks.

The key chains will impress your family and friends if you give them away as gifts. They will love the way their key chains are made especially for them. People will appreciate anything as long as the giver puts a lot of effort in making the gifts unique. You will be well received by family and friends.

The Italian charm keychain will make the perfect party favors for birthdays. They will be given as signs of appreciation to guests. This is because no one will expect anything as guests at the party other than food and drinks; it will be a pleasant surprise for them. The fact that you had made it personalized will make them enjoy it even more.

The Italian charm bracelets and key chains are a fabulous collection for those who are looking for uniqueness in style. They make great accessories on you and your bags. Not only that, they make perfect gifts for those you love.

The author writes about Italian charm ideas for GoldCupJewelry.com with his Italian charm keychain in his pocket

Bingo Luck Charms

If you walk into a local bingo hall you are going to see more than bingo cards on the tables in front of the people trying their luck at this age old game of chance called bingo. This is because along with the cards on the table there are going to be quite a number of good luck charms laid out by various players. This is in the hopes of giving them the edge that they need to bring home the cash.

While many people who don’t use good luck charms chuckle at the notion that they can help in any way, the owners and users of them swear by them and wouldn’t dream of playing without them. It seems that anything that people can’t see in real three dimensional terms they tend to dismiss as voodoo or workings of desperate people grasping at straws, while at the same time they will insist that which ever of the various brands of religion they believe in is worth dying for.

This would appear to be a bit of a contradiction, because if you listen to the preachings or the pastor at your local church in purely pragmatic terms it would often appear that he or she is incorporating the same quirky logic as the bingo player with the rabbit’s foot.

So it is up to each person to decide what they are going to do to increase their chances of winning and who is to say what works best between lighting a candle at a Catholic Church and throwing a handful of salt over your shoulder before each game. In the end it may turnout that both of these methods are effective in brining up ones good luck factor and also it may turn out that they are both a waste of a good candle and a handful of salt.

Written by Justin Khalid. Find the latest information on uk online bingo as well as uk bingo

Top 10 Charms Of The Kalahari

In a paradise rich in wildlife, game and lavish luxuries lies the splendour of the Savannah red sands of the Kalahari Desert.

1. Wildlife paradise: This African wilderness is home to some of the world's most remarkable creatues. Guided walks meander across silent red dunes. Drives in open-sided safari vehicles traverse the Kalahari wilderness and stop at the most scenic spots to allow visitors to enjoy an impressive sunset or splendid bush dinner.

2. Place of mystery: With legends and tales that go far into the past when the great tribes of the Bushmen lived undisturbed and free. The mystery of the Kalahari brings in another aspect of the beauty of this Desert. The Desert offers the spirituality of the pans and the humbling experience of the memories of the San – The Kalahari Bushmen while discovering the bush medicines, cosmetics and hunting skills used by the San people.

3. Desert landscapes: Take in the magnificent views of the red dunes from a hot air balloon over the dry savannah sand masses, created by the erosion of soft stone formations and the wind that has shaped the longish sand ridges so typical of the Kalahari Desert landscapes. The Kalahari region is not only very beautiful, but also fascinating, with the red sand dunes and bleached veld competing for admiration.

4. Indigenous bird life: The Kalahari is an incredible place for bird watching with more than 200 species of birds - some of them indigenous to the arid zone - found in the varying habitats of the reserve. Raptors and in particular, vultures, are very well represented.

5. Enoy a horseback safari experience as you explor the Kalahari plains: Exploring the dunes and desert wildlife from horseback provides a bush experience unlike any other where you are able to get so close to the animals that they remain undisturbed by your presence in their natural environment.

6. In harmony with nature: Feel at one with nature and walk the trail with experienced field guides and trackers and share the environment with the multiplicity of wildlife. Rangers offer insight into the absorbing world of the smaller creatures inhabiting this stunning area of the Kalahari and reveal their nests and holes.

7. Sightings of ancient art: Visit the sights of the San engravings and examine the tools used in the Stone Age. Here you will find some of the earliest examples of symbolic art forms and ritual practice where the Bushmen demonstrated their unique relationship with the natural environment and how they portrayed their past.

8. Be spoilt under the warm Southern skies: Take the time to relax your body, free your mind and reconnect with your soul as you enjoy a multitude of treatments and therapies, to indulge, treat and restore yourself in a setting that is truly unique to this part of the world.

9. A Malaria-free child friendly safari: Unlike many other luxury African game reserves, the malaria-free Kalahari is a place where children are gladly welcomed. With a range of fun activities and accommodation especially suited to kids, this is a place where your children will feel stimulated, happy and above all, at home. Children will learn so much on their visit to the Kalahari Desert. They will be educated about the wildlife, game and surroundings of this wonderful paradise.

10. Intelligent African luxury: Indulge in the epitome of stylish, yet rustic elegant luxury game reserve accommodation with sundecks and heated swimming pools, outdoor showers with extended views over the Kalahari plains and remarkable scenes of wild animals drinking at the nearby watering holes. Enjoy such luxuries as private wine cellars, libraries, laundry and valet services as well as a dedicated private chef that captures the essence of great wines and fine African cuisine.

There are so many distinctive traits attributed to the splendour of the Kalahari Desert. We have highlighted just ten of its charms certain to entice you to include this as one of your essential travel destinations.

Visit the Tswalu Kalahari Reserve. Tswalu is a very special Kalahari Resort in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa belonging to the well known Oppenheimer family. Tswalu provides the ultimate game reserve experience. http://www.tswalu.com

Webkinz Charms Where are They?

Finding Webkinz Charms can be tough. Stores everywhere are out of stock and show
few signs of improving their in stock position anytime soon. So what does that mean
for kids and parent looking for Webkinz Charms? It means that shopping online for
Webkinz Charms may be the only option and even that one may be dried up.

What are Webkinz Charms? Webkinz Charms are quite simply similar to a bracelet
and can also be work around the neck of someones Webkinz pet. So it serves as 2
functions jewelry for your child or jewelry for your child's Webkinz Plush animal.
This makes webkinz charms a unique item that has never been released before. The
ability to have the same jewelry spans child fantasies everywhere. This allows them
to share a common beyond between master and owner or pet and owner.

There are 24 different webkinz charms that each display the image of a webkinz
plush pet. The webkinz charm hangs around the neck of the webkinz pet as to symbolize
what the pet is. These are rare items now days and kids everywhere who love and
play webkinz are seeking them out. Webkinz Charms are following along the same pattern
that the parent Webkinz has experienced. That means we'll see year long shortages
of webkinz charms just as we saw shortages of webkinz pets earlier in the year.

As Christmas appoaches demand for webkinz Charms will probably sky rocket and
the prices slowly increase before then. The best way to find Webkinz Charms is to
get them now as waiting could result in the same fate as Webkinz Pets earlier this
year and they'll hang the "out of Stock" sign everywhere. So finding your favoriteWebkinz
Charms may be easy in a few weeks but by Christmas they will be rare.

mikey simmsBuy
Webkinz Charms

Dress for Success - Claim Your Style With Italian Charms

I don’t know about you, but the toughest part of my morning routine is deciding
what to wear. That’s right: I have no trouble hopping out of bed early…but I rarely
get to work on time–all because I spend precious morning minutes pondering the perfect
outfit. And it’s not even the big issues—like which top or what pants to wear—that
take up all my time. I don’t even hassle over matching my socks: no, it’s the accessories
that always get me. I blame my mother. She has always been great at accessorizing
- a real natural! Some how her skills were lost on me.

Fortunately, I recently discovered the ideal accessory—it goes with every outfit!—the
Italian Charm bracelet. This little accessory has rescued me from fashion oblivion
countless times. And, lately, I’ve even managed to get to work on time! Italian
charms meet every one of my criteria (and even several of my mother’s) for the perfect
accessory: they match any outfit (very important factor!); they are unique; and
they attract attention (especially on all-important date nights).

Italian charm bracelets are the popular new style of charm bracelet made of small
flexible metal links, each with a unique image. They have become popular for their
sleek style and because of the great variety of charm links—there are links for
each and every style. Italian Charm bracelets are the perfect solution to any accessory
problem because they go with any outfit.

The best thing about Italian charms is that they’re removable and interchangeable,
which means that they can both fit your fashion needs and express your unique personality.
Charms come in all styles—from serious to silly. You can choose to put your Italian
Charm bracelet together with letters, to spell your name, or with images, to tell
the story of who you are and what you like to do. For everyday use, you may choose
to wear fun, personal charms that express your identity.

There are thousands of charms to fit your personality: charms that reflect your
favorite pastimes and activities, charms that indicate your favorite travels or
artists; you can even have Italian Charms made with photos of yourself or your friends!
And, on those special occasions when you have to dress to impress, you can unlink
a few of your personal charms and replace them with some more elegant ones such
as flowers, classic paintings, or just sophisticated designs. And all the charms
come in a sleek silver color, so you can be sure that they will match any outfit
you choose.

Italian charms are just the accessory you have been looking for: they will flatter
both your outfit and your excellent sense of style! No more wasting precious minutes
before work or that big date digging through loud scarves and gaudy jewelry—just
pull out your Italian charm bracelet and consider yourself a fashion accessory success!

While I can’t guarantee that it will be easy to pick out your outfit next time
you’re preparing for that hot date, you can rest assured that you will at least
have the perfect and unique accessory: your Italian Charm bracelet. When you’re
on your date, you’ll be sure to impress him with your beautiful outfit accented
by a gorgeous bracelet. Plus, if you include a few of your personal, fun charms,
you’ll create a perfect conversation starter for your date. Who knows, maybe on
your next date he’ll be wearing one as well!

Find a wide selection of
Italian charms
and Italian charm bracelets at
http://www.GoldCupJewelry.com
where Greg Scott is a writer.

Numerology Magic Square Talismans as Money Charms

Magic Squares make a potent talisman or charm for enhancing certain talents and
abilities of their bearer. Numerology provides us with a powerful way to construct
a personal money charm just for you. Let's see how this can be done.

Date of Birth as a Sigil

In numerology and astrology, your Date of birth is a defining signature element
for you. Your entire reading in both disciplines is built around this number. So,
if I wish to construct a magic talisman using numbers and associate it's power with
you, using your date of birth in the charm is a natural way to build this association.

There are other means, such as using your name or signature in the talisman,
but since I'm using numbers to construct the charm anyway, your date of birth makes
a perfect sigil to represent you.

Yantra Magic Squares

Yantra magic squares are magic squares built using your date of birth, and your
Life Path number as the top row of the square. They are powerful good luck charms
for the person they are constructed for. But, they don't necessarily attract wealth
and riches to the person.

Eight - The Money Number

In numerology as well as other physic disciplines, eight is associated with money
and riches. To specifically attract more money to a person, I can construct a magic
square talisman where the rows and columns sum to a number which reduces to (8)
using fadic addition. The numbers: 26, 35, 44, 53, 62, 71, 80, 98, and 107 all have
this properity.

So, in order to create my talisman, I start with someone's Yantra magic square,
and then change the last box in the top row from their Life Path number, to a number
which produces a square where the rows sum to (8).

Let's look at an example to see my meaning.

Johnny Depp's Money Talisman

Actor Johnny Depp was born on June 9th, 1963; so his Life Path number would be
(7) as shown below.

Life Path = (06 + 09 + 1963) = (1978) = (1 + 9 + 7 + 8) = (25) = (7)

The first row of his Yantra Magic square we be his Month, Day, Year (less century)
and his Life Path number, and would look like this:

( 6 )( 9 )( 63 )( 7 )

The row totals (85) which reduces to (4) by fadic addition. If I substitute a
(2) in the last box on the row for his Life Path number of (7), then the resulting
row will sum to (80) which will reduce to and (8) using fadic addition.

Making the substitution, and then calculating the rest of the Magic square by
formula, I get the following:

( 6 )( 9 )( 63 )( 2 )

( 61 )( 4 )( 4 )( 11 )

( 3 )( 64 )( 8 )( 5 )

( 10 )( 3 )( 5 )( 62 )

Summary

So with a little work, I can create a (4 x 4) Yantra magic square focused on
a particular person, and targeted to draw money and financial success to them.

Keith Abbott is the developer and owner of 'Numerology 4 You' where you can order
your own Numerology
reading, including your
Yantra Magic
Square chart.

Visit him on the web today at
http://www.numerology4you.com

Magic Squares as Lucky Charms and Talismans

Magic Squares have been associated with good fortune for over 4,000 years. They
have been used to create potent talismans of good luck and protection. What factors
give them this property, and how can we use them for our own ends?

History of Magic Squares

Wu of Hsia, founder of the Chinese dynasty which bears his name; discovered a
tortoise who's shell had the markings of a perfect (3 x 3) Magic Square. This square,
known as Lo Shu, or 'River Picture' became the basis of the I Ching, the Ki, and
other forms of Chinese divination.

In the West, thought the Middle Ages, magic Squares were engraved on silver and
sold as talismans. They were regarded as a protection from disease. In India, Magic
Squares date back to the Eleventh century.

In the West, Wu's Magic Square became the 'Square of Saturn'. Cronelius Agrippa
studied and named a series of Magic Squares for the various Planets, and ascribed
various proprieties to the squares based on their connection with these planets
in Astrology.

Physic Properties of Magic Squares

Magic Squares have (2) properties which make them perfect as magical formulas
for creating talismans: their symmetry, and repetition.

Magic Squares have the property of symmetric resolution. By their nature, they
form a completed pattern. The fact that every row, column, and diagonal of the figure
adds up to the same total, gives them balance. The universe as a whole is a system
in which we draw forth balance and completion. The very cycle of Life is seen as
a never-ending circle, a continuing pattern which is repeated over and over; A Magic
Square models this pattern.

Magic Squares, also give us endless repetition. We can add each row and column
in turn, and arrive at the same result over and over. This is the very nature of
spells; a charm or prayer which is repeated over and over to build momentum, and
draw power for a working.

Constructing a Magic Square

One of the wonderful things about Magic Squares, is that anyone can construct
them. You don't have to be a great artist to draw them, they're made completely
out of numbers. With just a little research you can create your own personal talisman
in no time at all.

Keith Abbott is the developer and owner of 'Numerology 4 You' where you can order
your own Numerology
reading, including your
Yantra Magic
Square chart. Visit him on the web today at
http://www.numerology4you.com

How Charming - Why Charms And Charm Bracelets?

Traditionally, there are several times in a woman’s life when she can receive
a charm bracelet; once as a young girl and once for her marriage.

In the past, when a woman married, she was given a charm bracelet to celebrate
her future. A charm bracelet with wedding bells or a marriage certificate was later
filled with charms representing the honeymoon, anniversaries and the birth of her
children. This bracelet was frequently referred to as a “Lifetime” bracelet, growing
over the years to one day be passed onto her daughter, so she could continue the
tradition of charm collecting from generation to generation.

Charm bracelets were passed on from mother to daughter, either as a new gift
or as a family heirloom. The daughter then added her own charms to the bracelet,
including ones that represented her favorite hobbies, interests and beliefs. As
the daughter matured, so did her charm bracelet, increasing not only the number
of charms, but also in sentimental value.

To a woman who lived during the 1930s, 40s and 50s, charms, usually worn in multiples
on a link bracelet, were of great personal significance. A charm bracelet became
a chronicle of a woman's life; a time capsule that represented her loves, her interests,
her travels, and her experiences. These sentimental, yet precious objects told her
story, and preserved it for generations to come.

A woman most probably received her first charm as a young girl; perhaps a ballerina
or a flower. In her teenage years, she may have received the additions of a love
token from a sweetheart, a souvenir from a school trip, a jeweled mortarboard for
graduation. Charms commemorating her engagement, wedding, first home, children--all
the major milestones of her life--followed in line.

With the mid-century trend for travel enabled her to see much more of the world
than her mother and grandmother had. Perhaps a small cruise ship charm told of her
honeymoon trip to the islands; or an Eiffel Tower charm of a romantic weekend in
France. She could spend many a cocktail party explaining the numerous exotic travel
mementos on her wrist.

Like many women of her day, a little pearl typewriter signified that she had
a job outside the home. She might have also enjoyed sports (golf and tennis) and
was loved the arts, particularly painting and theatre.

A woman might have added other charms to her bracelet simply for their beauty.
Compared to the flat, stamped charms of modern times, vintage charms are three-dimensional,
highly detailed, and often jeweled -- tiny works of art in their own right.

There's been a new trend for collecting vintage charms. Women today often wear
a single charm from their collection on a bracelet, or as a pendant. Collections
are often beautifully displayed in a shadow box, or hung from ribbons on a bulletin
board, mirror or frame.

Vintage charms make wonderful gifts. For a recently married bride, each guest
could gave the bride an antique charm representing one of her, or the couple's,
interests or experiences. For another bride, she could do the opposite, using the
antique charms as personalized thank-you gifts for her bridesmaids. Yet another
idea would be that a woman could treat herself each birthday to a charm with some
relevance to the preceding year of her life; and she could start the same tradition
for her young daughters.

Charms have become popular as a way to express individualism, because no two
bracelets are alike. Hobbies, crafts, work-related, and sports-related charms can
be easily found, as well as those pertaining to pets and animals of all kinds.

There is a huge selection of charms available today, with a charm for every season
and every reason. Many women find collecting charms addictive, and will include
a many bracelets in their collection. The ease of removing and replacing charms
make for endless combinations. A bracelet can be fashioned to correspond with any
mood or occasion.

Charms have recently seen an increase in popularity, especially with celebrities.
They've given their stamps of approval, as many Hollywood personalities have been
photographed with their charm bracelets on. Designers, like Pandora Jewelry, have
produced their own collectibles, and the sky is the limit in terms of both options
and price. Early charms were typically quite inexpensive, however some of the charms
available today can vary from under $10 to several hundred dollars each.

Pandora Jewelry invented a new system for charm bracelets and necklaces, which
added a new dimension in collecting jewelry. This unique jewelry line established
a foothold in Northern Europe as one of the most successful jewelry businesses to
date. Since 2002, Pandora Jewelry has brought hope and opportunity to jewelers across
North America.

Each item in the Pandora collection is a handmade Danish design in sterling silver
and 14K gold. Various pieces of our line are handcrafted with colorful precious
stones and cultured pearls.

Lewis Jewelers is proud to carry the full line of Pandora Jewelry. For more information,
contact Lewis Jewelers at 877-88-LEWIS or visit www.pandorabraceletsusa.com.

Authorized distributed of beautiful
pandora
bracelets and beads

The Hidden Meanings Of European And American Charms

Starting at the inception of the 20th century and extending until the 1960s,
it was a mark of the middle-class that young girls be given a charm bracelet before
they reached puberty. At every holiday or anniversary, a new charm is added to the
bracelet, often by the relative who had given the original bracelet.

The demand for charms is ancient; only the method of marketing them is relatively
recent. Not all the charms on these bracelets were lucky emblems -- equally common
were hobby-related and school-related charms. In fact, the number of charms available,
and the ordinariness of many of them -- a telephone, a car, a cheerleader's megaphone,
a windmill -- may have devalued the word "charm" in the English language, so that
today it's often misunderstood that if someone refers to "charms" when that person
means "amulets."

The French, in particular, had a list of charms called "Le Langage de Porte Bonheur"
("The Language of Good Luck Charms") and included 10 charms that symbolized:

* An elephant: "Felicite" (happiness)

* A heart: "Amour" (love)

* A four-leaf clover: "Bonheur" (luck)

* A horsehoe magnet: "Argent" (silver -- or money, due to the magnet's "drawing"
power)

* A die, showing seven spots: "Veine" (games of chance; gambler's luck)

* The number 13: "Joie" (joy; the usual use of this number is as general luck or
gambler's luck)

* A pig: "Prosperite" (prosperity)

* A hamsa hand: "Richesse" (riches; this is not accurate -- the hamsa hand protects
against the evil eye

* A horseshoe: "Fidelite" (fidelity; not entirely accurate -- the usual meaning
is attraction or "drawing")

* A pansy: "Souvenir" (remembrance; it belongs more properly to the "language of
flowers")

During the 20th century American charm bracelet at left features a variety of
lucky charms in a bright mix of brass, copper, sterling silver, and gold-plated
metal. This bracelet is typical of the kind of jewelry worn by adolescent girls
in the 1950s and 1960s, collected charm by charm while traveling through the tourist
traps, flea markets, jewelry stores and yard sales. Many of the more modern American
charms symbolize:

* A silver heart engraved with initials: love for the named individual

* A brass heart pierced by an arrow: smitten romantic love

* A silver horseshoe: attraction or "drawing" luck

* A gold wishbone set with a pearl: wishes come true

* A silver horseshoe on which is placed a wishbone, a four-leaf clover, a horseshoe
and the words "Good Luck": good luck

* A gold and green enameled four-leaf clover: luck

* A silver money bag with a $ sign: wealth

* A copper horseshoe on which is placed a four-leaf clover: good luck

* A brass heart padlock: faithful love

* A silver spread of playing cards: gambling luck

* A gold double horseshoe set with an artificial diamond: money luck

* A brass money bag marked 1000: wealth

* A silver horseshoe: attraction or "drawing" luckOther popular 20th century charms
often found on European and American charm bracelets include:* A swastika: luck
(pre-Nazi Germany)

* Twin hearts pierced by a single arrow: reciprocated love

* An Amanita muscaria mushroom: luck

* A chimney sweep or his ladder and brush: luck

* A "Lucky Buddha": luck

* A black cat: gambling luck

And although unrelated to European and American charm bracelets -- but probably
made to meet Occidental rather than Far East tastes -- are, what are know as, Chinese
charm bracelets, made with glass beads, jade carvings, and metal amulets strung
on black cord and tied around the wrist.

Following similar design lines to Chinese charm bracelets, Pandora Jewelry invented
a new system for charm bracelets and necklaces, which added a new dimension in collecting
jewelry. This unique jewelry line established a foothold in Northern Europe as one
of the most successful jewelry businesses to date. Since 2002, Pandora Jewelry has
brought hope and opportunity to jewelers across North America.

Each item in our collection is a handmade Danish design in sterling silver and
14K gold. Various pieces of our line are handcrafted with colorful precious stones
and cultured pearls.

Lewis Jewelers is proud to carry the full line of Pandora Jewelry. For more information,
contact Lewis Jewelers at 877-88-LEWIS or visit www.pandorabraceletsusa.com.

Authorized distributed of beautiful
pandora
bracelets and beads

Circle Cubic Zirconia Pendant- Why Is This A Timeless Trend?

As you might expect, the circle cubic zirconia pendant is still around as one of the most important jewelry items. With many retailers expanding their selections to include matching earrings, rings and bracelets, the innovative variations of the circle theme continue to dazzle the fashion world…Why is that?

There is no better way to give a gift that expresses your love or gratitude to another person than to present them with a dazzling circle cubic zirconia pendant.

Instead of paying hundreds, or even thousands of dollars for a diamond pendant, many shoppers are turning toward cubic zirconia and sterling silver with rhodium plating (which all together, replaces the look of diamond in platinum metal setting).

With this said, the circle cubic zirconia pendant has been a very popular design for shoppers because it possesses a deeper meaning than meets the eye.

You see, a complete circle often symbolizes love or eternity; there is no beginning and no end. The same is said about real love; it is complete, has no definite beginning and no end.

A circle cubic zirconia pendant can have many meanings to different people. Perhaps a circle inspires a feeling that life has come full circle, or that everything is connected in some way or another.

Whatever your reason for wearing it, the many sizes of the circle cubic zirconia pendant remain popular and versatile. This means you can wear it with most outfits (whatever the style or color), and for most occasions—out with friends, at parties, or even at the office.

Even though it is a very fashionable trend, this simple design works for everyone—teens, young adults and women of all ages. Much like the design itself, there seems to be no visible end to the popularity of the circle cubic zirconia pendant.

This is one of the most dazzling and timeless looks you will want to own for a lifetime. Its graceful design will do nothing less than to scintillate loveliness while hanging from your neck, showing off its dramatic and dazzling diamond brilliance.

Although current trends seem to center around the elegance and femininity of the circle cubic zirconia pendant, the symbolic meaning of the circle combined with its simple, sleek appeal will no doubt make this jewelry item a timeless treasure you can wear your whole lifetime.

Penny Best Jewelry provides you with fine cubic zirconia jewelry and timeless designs, at an affordable price. The online store at http://www.pennybest.com offers you top quality cz jewelry including beautiful rings, earrings, stunning necklaces, dazzling bracelets, bridal sets, free shipping, free jewelry box and a 30-day money back guarantee.