Classifications of amulets - a proposal
Christopher Duffin

Material

• Herbal (e.g. necklaces of Paeony seeds as protection against epilepsy

• Animal/Zoological (e.g. red coral) – could be subdivided according to taxonomic group (e.g. mollusca, mammalia etc.)

• Geological

  • Rocks (e.g. lapis lazuli)

  • Minerals (e.g. rock crystal to aid lactation)

  • Fossils (e.g. ‘glossopetrae’ or fossil sharks’ teeth against poisoning)

• Synthetic/anthropogenic (e.g. ceramics, plastics, compound pieces etc.)

• Textual – written and artistic works on paper and other media such as gold leaf or cloth

 

Symbols

…..

 

Culture

• Stone Age

• Assyrian

• Sumerian

• Egyptian

• Graeco-Roman

• Byzantine

• Viking

• Anglo-Saxon

• Jewish

• Western European

• Eastern European

• Asian

• Maori

• North American

• Other

 

Application

• Luck

• Medical

• Protection against poisons

• Protection against natural disaster (e.g. lightning)

• Protection against evil forces

• Enhance personal qualities