In days gone by, before there were photographs, people found other ways to try keep the ones that they loved near to them. For some people it was a matter of keeping letters and poems in scrapbooks. For others, perhaps a piece of jewelry, a handkerchief, or a scarf would be given to a family member or a special friend. It was a keepsake, something to be held close and touched in order to remember the other person. People took great pride and a lot of time to create objects that were meant to express deep feeling from the heart. Jewelry was engraved with many different designs and symbols and nearly everything had a symbolic significance. Some of these engravings were religious symbols such as crosses and doves, but there were all kinds of symbols used on jewelry and other objects that had meaning. Some of these were:

Ivy = Friendship, fidelity, or marriage

Weeping Willow = mourning
Forget Me Nots = Remembrance
Dogs = Fidelity
Butterfly = Soul
Arrows = Love (Cupid??冱 arrows)
Doves = Holy Spirit or devotion
Daisy = Innocence
Lilac = First feelings of Love
Clasped Hands = Friendship or Lasting Love
Musical Instruments = Harmony
Flaming Heart = Passionate Love
Crowned Heart = Love Triumphant
Roses = had many meanings depending on color, such as:

Red meant love, yellow meant friendship or joy

Specific gems had specific meanings, for instance:
Amethyst = Forgiveness
Diamond = Love
Emerald = Faithfulness
Ruby = Passion

Sapphire = Virtue

Pearl = Purity

Jewelry could often be read almost like a book. Sometimes feelings were expressed in words or symbols that only the people involved knew their significance. The stones themselves had significance but even the order of the gemstones on a ring or necklace could have special meaning. For instance, if the order happened to be a diamond, emerald, amethyst, and ruby, the first letter of each gem spelled out the word ???DEAR???. Occasionally, words found in other languages were used on a ring or piece of jewelry so the code was not easily deciphered.

Another very special object that was frequently given in times past was a lock of hair. It was a common practice to snip a bit of hair from a baby's first haircut or a few strands of hair might be sent to someone living far away. Many pictures, jewelry, and keepsakes were even made from hair and some were meticulously woven into chains and earrings.

A woman would sometimes weave a tiny delicate wreath, intertwining her own hair with that of her beloved. It was a way of feeling closer to the loved one by actually holding in one's own hand a lock of hair from the very head of the person so loved and cherished. Lockets were often used to hold these beloved keepsakes, these wisps of hair tied with ribbon.

Taking a snip of hair from a loved one was also sometimes part of the grieving process, especially in the Victorian Era. Mourning jewelry was made from hair and intricately woven into scenes of weeping willows and other symbols of sadness. These creations became memorials that were made into broaches or kept in shadow boxes to indicate that love outlasts death.

It has been documented that even Beethoven's friend kept a lock of his hair to remember him after the great composer died. In recent years, with the study of forensics now available, Beethoven's hair was tested and found to contain lead, which may have led to his illness and death.

Keeping locks of hair is a practice that has somewhat gone by the wayside in modern life today. There are so many ways to communicate almost instantly today with telephones and computers but that was impossible during those times. Yet, there are some of us still keep those locks of hair tucked in our scrapbooks, diaries, and baby books in an attempt to hold those that we love close to our hearts.

It is one of the things from the past that might be good to be revived. Many people today are making special scrapbooks that will be heirlooms to be kept for future generations. Perhaps including a wisp of hair tucked in those scrapbooks would be a special touch.

It doesn??冲 have to be Valentine??冱 Day, an anniversary, or a birthday to let someone know that you care. A keepsake is something to keep, touch, and to make a connection with someone we love. It can be as complicated as a code engraved on jewelry or it can be as simple as a lock of hair.

As I end this writing, I will close it with a symbol that was often used on jewelry. I hope you can decipher it. The Word is: ???MIZPAH???

By

Pamela Perry Blaine

?ｩ February 2005

The Locket

Wisp of silky curls
Inside the gilded box
Encased like strands of time
Sweet love enclosed in locks

Clasped within a locket
Striving to contain
All of love's devotion
And separation's pain

A keepsake to remember,
For tresses whisper love
The fragrance of you lingers
Like perfume from above

And just for fleeting moment
My heart draws near to you
I clutch the silver locket
For 'tis all I have of you!

By Pamela Blaine
?ｩ October 22, 2001

About Pamela: My husband and I live in Missouri. We have 4 childrenand 5 grandchildren. I enjoy writing, music, and country living. I write "Pam's Corner" for the local newspaper and many stories have been published on the internet as well as in several books. I have loved music and writing ever since I can remember. I play piano at church and I'm an avid reader. One of my goals is to be able to write for my children and grandchildren so special memories will not be forgotten. We have recently made a new CD entitled "I'll Walk You Home". If you would like one, they are available by freewill donation. More information as well as a clip from the CD is on the website at:http://blaines.us/PamyPlace.htm

Send Pam an e-mail and let her know what you thought of her story. pamyblaine@blaines.us

     )
??.?ｷ?? ??.?ｷ????) ??.?ｷ*??)
( ??.?ｷ??    (??.?ｷ?? ??.?ｷ??
                `?ｷ-?ｻPamy

"Security is not the absence of danger,
but the presence of God"

My Website:
http://blaines.us/PamyPlace.htm
e-mail: pamyblaine@blaines.us

"NO ONE IS USELESS IN THIS WORLD
WHO LIGHTENS THE BURDEN OF ANYONE ELSE"

http://www.greatcom.org/laws/englishkgp/default.htm