Amulets and talismans are both objects imbued with magic. However, an amulet wards off evil and brings good luck to its owner while a talisman is imbued with power which can be wielded by its owner. In ancient times, many cultures used amulets as soul boxes; where souls could be safely stores as among the Esquimaux of Alaska where medicine men sometimes placed the extracted soul of a sick child (1). Generally speaking, amulets bore images while talismans were inscribed with a sigil or seal (2).
In ancient Russia a knotted thread served as an amulet; a skein of red wool wound around the arms and legs was thought to ward off auges and fevers while nine skeins fastened around a child’s neck protected him/her from scarlatina. In ancient times, rings were often seen as amulets. Like knots, they were believed to keep the soul from escaping the body. By that same token, rings served as amulets which prevented evil in the form of demons, witches and ghosts from invading the body (1) In Africa, a client might commission a diviner to create packets of small sticks covered with dust from the divination tray bound together with black and white string or a carved figure or miniature face mask as an amulet for protection against malevolent spirits (3).
While amulets were protective, talismans served defensive purposes warding off psychic and physical attacks. In ancient Egyptian and Mesopotamian society, small metal or stone shapes as well as precious stones inscribed with spells/word magic were routinely worn as jewelry or carried on one’s person (4). Egyptian priests provided talismans to the deceased safely through the underworld (5). During the Middle Ages, holy objects and relics were seen as talismans due to their perceived curative power. Any object can serve as a talisman but were believed to have been imbued with power from nature, from some supernatural entity or from an enchantment (2).
- Frazer, Sir J.G. 1922. The Golden Bough.
- Guiley, R.E. 1991. Harper’s Encyclopedia of Mystical & Paranormal Experience.
- Pemberton III, J. 2000. Insight and Artistry in African Divination.
- Fiery, A. 1999. The Book of Divination.
- Walker, C. 1995. The Encyclopedia of The Occult.