Hidden Symbolism, The Crescent Moon In Jewellery

The Crescent Moon - what does it mean? .

Modern jewellery can sometimes feel less meaningful than the intimate & sentimental designs of the past. Wether it’s earrings, pendants or brooches, Celestial designs such as Star and moon pieces are available in a myriad of styles today - but in reality, celestial jewellery has been in vogue for many hundreds of years. Have you ever wondered why these pieces are popular other than because they have pretty features?

How did the symbolism of the moon start?

In Greek mythology, the crescent moon is said to represent Selene, the feminine moon goddess and symbolises female empowerment, The moon also represents fertility and regeneration. Women wishing to conceive would pray to the moon goddess Selene to help them bring new life into the world.In Roman mythology the slender curves of the crescent shape was interpreted to symbolise the bow used by Diana, goddess of the hunt. Diana is also associated with chastity and purity, virtues which were praised and held dear. In Chinese philosophy the moon is the yin to the sun’s yang, showing how the female moon and the male sun can perfectly balance each other despite being opposites.

When did the crescent moon jewellery reach its peak?

The crescent moon was incredibly popular during the Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian eras. Antique Jewellery from these periods are saturated with secret messages, symbolism and sentiment. The Victorians perfected the art form of jewellery symbolism using motifs, flowers and gems as a way of discretely communicating sometimes elaborate messages. Crescent moons in Victorian jewellery often represented spirituality and the glorification of the Feminine Moon Goddess. Whilst the stars were symbols of direction, and guidance for the spirit.

The crescent moon was also used to represent change, as a moon has multiple lunar phases. The Industrial Revolution was happening at this time and women were beginning to leave their traditional roles and enter the workforce, thus the roots were being laid for modern day female empowerment and rights.

The ultimate symbol of feminine empowerment!

The moon in any form is generally considered to be feminine, an empowering symbol that represents female influence, intuition and kindness as well as the power that women wield throughout the world. The moon influences us in many ways, from the tides it creates to the emotions we feel. A full moon is thought to boost creativity, energy levels and positivity.

The symbol of the crescent moon in jewellery designs also represents both the waning moon and waxing moon phases. The waxing phase is when the amount of the lit surface is increasing, going toward a full moon. As the moon grows in illumination, it is thought to bring a new lease of energy and positivity, giving us the motivation to achieve our dreams. The waning moon phase (when the moon is moving towards a new moon) encourages us to focus on removing the negative energy from our lives as the moon appears to get smaller.

How can I style my moon jewellery?

 Moon necklaces can and do look great worn by themselves as an everyday staple necklace, or for those who prefer a simple and understated look but the shape of the crescent moon makes it the perfect layering piece. The symmetry of a crescent moon necklace makes it a perfect choice for layering which can team perfectly with other charm necklaces such as stars. To achieve the layered look try using a short 16″ bead chain or a 14″ choker chain as a layering base. Then add 2-3 small pendant necklaces on either 16″ or 18″ chains and to complete the look add the larger pendants on a 20″ or 26″ long chain.

Here’s why it’s our necklace of choice for daily inspiration…

• The moon necklace is an illuminating talisman that is perfect for every day, full of hidden meanings and symbolism.
• It represents female empowerment.
• A great way to celebrate the inspirational women in your life.
• You can say “I love you to the moon and back” with this thoughtful gift.
• The moon is often referred to as ‘Mother Moon’ and is a symbol of new life… the perfect talisman for a new arrival!
• A moon is a reminder to go with your intuition and follow your dreams.
• A thoughtful message that brings loved ones closer together… “No matter where you are, you will always be looking at the same moon as I am.”

Why not take a look at our related post, Hidden Symbolism - The Bee In Jewellery 

Updated December 2021