Necklace before 1900

This necklace, crafted by the Pueblo people, presents a fascinating blend of cultural symbols. Notice the crosses interspersed among the silver beads, alongside a pendant known as a "naja," a crescent shape with origins stretching back to ancient North Africa and the Middle East. The cross, while a potent symbol of Christianity, here takes on a syncretic form, layered onto existing indigenous beliefs. Similarly, the naja, often seen as a protective amulet, was adopted by the Spanish and later by Southwestern Native American tribes. Consider how motifs migrate, adapt, and merge. The serpent, represented by the naja's curves, echoes the symbolism of protection found in ancient Minoan snake goddesses, or the Egyptian ouroboros. These forms embody cycles of life, death, and rebirth, a powerful visual language engaging subconscious desires for protection. The emotional weight of such symbolism is a testament to our shared human narrative. Thus, symbols progress in a non-linear fashion, resurfacing and evolving through various cultural contexts.