Hidden Symbolism - The Bee in Jewellery
Wether worn as earrings, necklaces or rings, the bee is the perfect combination of sentiments to wear and give. The bee is often thought to symbolise community, friendship and selflessness, as well as brightness, joy, beauty and celebration, but delve a little deeper there is so much more to the humble bee.
Throughout the modern & ancient world the bee is a symbol of wisdom, birth and rebirth & industry. Bees, like fairies, are often considered guardians of the natural world, eternally linked with love, magic and romance.
In many ancient cultures, bees are an important part of their story, the bee was often believed to be the sacred insect that bridged the natural world to the underworld.
The Mayans believed the bee to be a symbol of the goddess: bringers of life and abundance, while the Druids considered the bee to represent fertility, personal power and community.
The ancient Greeks believed bees were symbolic of prosperity and celebration and in ancient Judaism, the bee was associated with a successful and peaceful society.
The Priestesses who worshipped the Goddess Artemis, were called Bees, and many of our names today come from Bees, including Melissa, Alyssa, Beatrice, Deborah & Lisa to name but a few.
In Ancient Egypt, the bee, particularly the honeybee, was a symbol of royalty. The Ancient Egyptians believed bees were born from the tears of the Sun God, Ra, and represented the Pharaoh’s sovereignty over their subjects (the hive)
Honey's healing powers are widely acknowledged, in some Celtic cultures, honey-wine was thought to be the drink of immortality. When combined with the symbol of the bee, this could be conceived as everlasting love.
A smooth talker is said to have ‘lips anointed with honey’ this is where the word ‘honey’ as a term of endearment is derived from. It can also be interpreted to mean person gifted with eloquence or the ability to "sweet-talk".
The honeycomb produced by the humble bee is made up of intricate hexagons, this complex structure is a miraculous network that creates strength, through unity and harmony. But it goes further, the hexagon itself carries great symbolism. The hexagon is comprised of six sides, with the number six being the symbol of love, as it is the sacred number for Venus, the goddess of Love.
It’s often said in passing that someone is ‘busy as a bee’ with good reason, As a group bees can achieve amazing things as they are highly industrious workers. This why the bee became an emblem of manchester in the industrial revolution to symbolise the mancunian people’s hard working ethic and social nature. Bees represent unity, domestic bliss & working in harmony to achieve a United goal.
But they sting I hear you say!
With so much positive symbolism buzzing around the bee, it is no wonder that the popularity of bee themed jewellery is as strong as ever.
During these challenging times, giving a piece of jewellery with a special meaning as a symbol of hope and strength can make a powerful and thoughtful gift for a friend or loved one. And what can be more symbolic than the humble bee, a symbol of community, love & hope.
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