The elemental might of lightning has allured us humans since the dawn of mankind, driving people to craft lightning themed jewelry as symbols of power. But lightning’s long standing connection to jewelry is not limited to trinkets in the shape of lightning, it goes way back to the origin of diamonds.
We’re hopping in our little time machine and going about 3000 to 6000 years back in time to a certain part of central India. After thunderstorms passed through this area, the locals, to their amazement, would find diamonds lying in their fields, leading them to believe that these precious stones were formed when lightning bolts struck the ground. They considered them to be gifts from the gods, and called them Vajara (thunderbolt), which happens to be the weapon of Indra, the king of the gods in the Vedic pantheon.
Lightning bolts tend to play a important role in a range of other cultures and religions, most popularly seen in ancient Greek and Norse mythology where Zeus, the king of the Greek pantheon wields a lightning bolt, and Thor, one of the most powerful members of the Norse pantheon carried a mighty hammer that could summon lightning.
The symbolism of lightning bolt jewelry
Power
A lot of cultures around the world used to associate lightning with ultimate power, seeing that quite a few early religions depicted their principal deity to be a lightning-wiedler. People would then start wearing lightning bolt pendants, rings, or earrings to channel these qualities of strength, resilience, and the ability to overcome obstacles with determination in their daily lives.
Transformation
Lightning strikes can dramatically transform and alter landscapes, and there are theories that suggest that trillions of lightning strikes were greatly responsible for the origin of life itself on our planet. Wearing lightning earrings could therefore symbolize new beginnings or remind yourself to focus on personal growth.
Creativity
Our most brilliant ideas can come to us like a flash of lightning, sudden and awe-inspiring, like an epiphany. Several ancient cultures even considered lightning and thunder to be a medium through which the divine communicated with us mortals.
That’s why artists and creators tend to wear lightning earrings and necklaces as a talisman of creativity. You’d even find them wearing these pieces to remind them of the electrifying moments that inspire their work.
Energy and vitality
A sudden burst of lightning in the sky is the ultimate symbol of energy and vibrancy. You could wear these pieces as a sign of enthusiasm, motivation, and a zest for life, and also as a way of telling yourself to embrace life’s energy and make the most out of every single moment that you experience.
Lightning jewelry in pop culture
In modern times, lightning bolts and jewelry associated with them have found a lot of interpretations in pop-culture. The superhero Shazam, known for his lightning-based powers, leads us to see lightning as a conduit of strength and transformation, while characters like The Flash and Lightning McQueen make us associate lightning with speed and virility.
In the context of jewelry, The Flash is even known to store his super suit in a lightning ring.
Fans of these superheroes and pop culture icons even wear lightning bolt pendants and similar jewelry to showcase their affinity for these characters and their qualities like speed, courage, and heroism. Shazam necklaces, Flash earrings, and lightning bolt rings have transcended the realm of mere accessories and become ways of identifying with and displaying admiration for these fictional heroes.
Stepping out of fiction, even Beyonce, the Queen Bee herself has worn a lightning ring to an award show, and Miley Cyrus has worn an iconic lightning bolt earring in her Decisions music video.
Wrapping it up
Lightning jewelry carries a plethora of symbolism, it definitely transcends time and cultures. From power, to transformation, creativity to heroism, these pieces of bling hold deep meanings for those who wear them. So, the next time you wear a lightning bolt necklace, or a stunning pair of lightning earrings, reflect on the rich tapestry of symbolism that they embody.
