Cimaruta
Encyclopedia
Cimaruta: Also called Witch’s Charm, and Cima di Ruta. An old protective charm
dating back to the 19th century, depicting a variety of symbols or charms in protection against the Evil Eye
.
Steeped in history and witchcraft
, a version of the Cimaruta, or Italian Witch Charm, was mostly used in southern Italy
. “Cimaruta,” means “sprig of rue
” and the branches of the charm are the branches/blossoms of the rue plant. From the rue branches at each end is a sprout; out of the sprout comes forth symbols such as a key, dagger, blossom, and moon. All Cimaruta are different according to region of origin, and the symbols vary. Some of the variations include: a rose, a hand holding a wand or sword, a flaming heart, a fish, a crescent moon, a snake, an owl, a plumed Medieval helmet, a Vervain flower blossom, a dolphin, a cock, and an eagle.
The Cimaruta is traditionally made of silver
, and often are double-sided. Some modern versions are seen in bronze
or pewter
. In folkloric practices the Cimaruta was often placed above the beds of infants, as protection against the "mal'occhio" or evil eye.
The Cimaruta charm speaks to the idea of the Society of Diana and the Old Religion of the Witches in Italy according to Charles Leland, although there is no proof to support this claim. Many Italian-American witches wear them. Because most Cimaruta charms are fairly large - some almost 4 inches across -not only can it be worn around the neck but it can also be hung above any door, on the wall, etc. However, jewelry of this type is rare and can be very difficult to find.
Amulet
An amulet, similar to a talisman , is any object intended to bring good luck or protection to its owner.Potential amulets include gems, especially engraved gems, statues, coins, drawings, pendants, rings, plants and animals; even words said in certain occasions—for example: vade retro satana—, to...
dating back to the 19th century, depicting a variety of symbols or charms in protection against the Evil Eye
Evil eye
The evil eye is a look that is believed by many cultures to be able to cause injury or bad luck for the person at whom it is directed for reasons of envy or dislike...
.
Steeped in history and witchcraft
Witchcraft
Witchcraft, in historical, anthropological, religious, and mythological contexts, is the alleged use of supernatural or magical powers. A witch is a practitioner of witchcraft...
, a version of the Cimaruta, or Italian Witch Charm, was mostly used in southern Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
. “Cimaruta,” means “sprig of rue
Rue
Rue is a genus of strongly scented evergreen subshrubs 20–60 cm tall, in the family Rutaceae, native to the Mediterranean region, Macaronesia and southwest Asia. There are perhaps 8 to 40 species in the genus...
” and the branches of the charm are the branches/blossoms of the rue plant. From the rue branches at each end is a sprout; out of the sprout comes forth symbols such as a key, dagger, blossom, and moon. All Cimaruta are different according to region of origin, and the symbols vary. Some of the variations include: a rose, a hand holding a wand or sword, a flaming heart, a fish, a crescent moon, a snake, an owl, a plumed Medieval helmet, a Vervain flower blossom, a dolphin, a cock, and an eagle.
The Cimaruta is traditionally made of silver
Silver
Silver is a metallic chemical element with the chemical symbol Ag and atomic number 47. A soft, white, lustrous transition metal, it has the highest electrical conductivity of any element and the highest thermal conductivity of any metal...
, and often are double-sided. Some modern versions are seen in bronze
Bronze
Bronze is a metal alloy consisting primarily of copper, usually with tin as the main additive. It is hard and brittle, and it was particularly significant in antiquity, so much so that the Bronze Age was named after the metal...
or pewter
Pewter
Pewter is a malleable metal alloy, traditionally 85–99% tin, with the remainder consisting of copper, antimony, bismuth and lead. Copper and antimony act as hardeners while lead is common in the lower grades of pewter, which have a bluish tint. It has a low melting point, around 170–230 °C ,...
. In folkloric practices the Cimaruta was often placed above the beds of infants, as protection against the "mal'occhio" or evil eye.
The Cimaruta charm speaks to the idea of the Society of Diana and the Old Religion of the Witches in Italy according to Charles Leland, although there is no proof to support this claim. Many Italian-American witches wear them. Because most Cimaruta charms are fairly large - some almost 4 inches across -not only can it be worn around the neck but it can also be hung above any door, on the wall, etc. However, jewelry of this type is rare and can be very difficult to find.
External links
- http://books.google.com/books?id=YEcKAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA132&lpg=PA132&dq=The+Cimaruta,+its+Structure+and+Development.+R.+T.+Gunther&source=bl&ots=TS13RofX2m&sig=c0PHJPoFZwnW2M-xDubcGopvgho&hl=en&ei=eZuLSdiYIoKUsQO3s4GLCQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=1&ct=result#PPA132,M2
- http://www.fabrisia.com/cimaruta.htm