There Is More To A Hmong Necklace Than Just Looks

By Myrtle Cash


Across the world, there are many nations that believe and use traditional jewelery either as part of their religious and ritual ceremonies. Normally these types of jewelery catch the attention of modern day designers and often times end up becoming coveted accessories. Recently the Hmong necklace has become one such sought after piece of jewelery.

Traditionally these necklaces are red, silver or brass and may be placed around their necks, ankles or wrists. Accessories such as these are normally worn by babies and young girls or ladies for religious and health purposes. When worn by infants as well as toddlers, these amulets are considered as "protection strings", used to ward off evil spirits.

Young girls in national dress will incorporate large silver necklaces with intricate detailed patterning. This custom where large silver items are worn started due to folklore about a beautiful native girl by the name of Silver Flower. According to the tale a troll becomes attracted to the girl and attempts to abduct her; her parents are advised to hand a silver mirror on her neck; they do so and the troll is never seen again and the tradition continues today.

These silver necklaces have also grown to form an important piece in these young girls dowry as according to their traditions only boys are allowed to inherit property from ancestors. Thus dowries are the sole property that parents leave to any of their daughters and mother spend years meticulously preparing a dowry set for them. So it stands to reason that these silver necklaces become an important item in the dowry and symbolizes the mother's deep devotion to their daughters.

Girls customarily believe these cultural necklaces or jewelery pieces can make them beautiful; furthermore the size as well as the detailing of each piece shows the overall wealth of the individual family. When girls are 16 years old, they wear their jewelery for the first time at a traditional ceremony and boys choose their future bride in accordance with the necklaces that they are attracted to. When one considers this it makes sense as to the importance of these jewelery items and the ceremony.

Several websites nowadays offer jewelery directly drawing design influence from traditional styles; what's more one has the choice of quite a lot of designs. Of course the pieces have been altered to appeal to contemporary pieces; but one detail kept is the silver and intricate designs of the original pieces. Quite a few have also had their sizes changed so as to fit in with modern elements.

Every person interested in buying any one of these special items should go online where they can browse through catalogues that showcase these pieces available on current markets. One will soon see why these specific pieces are becoming so popular with buyers; their designs make them a perfect accessory for a trendy outfit. Even those individuals not into traditional jewelery styles, they will love this range.