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Jewish Amulets · c. 600 BCE – today

Childbirth & protective papers

Meaning

Childbirth amulets name the three angels Senoy, Sansenoy and Semangelof, who according to legend made Lilith swear she would spare any child protected by their names. They often include Psalm 121 ('I lift up my eyes to the hills') and the command 'Lilith outside!'

Intent

They were hung on the walls of the birthing room and over the cradle to protect mother and baby from Lilith and other demons, especially in the first days, the first eight for a boy before circumcision.

Significance

These amulets preserve the legend of Lilith from the medieval Alphabet of Ben Sira and are a direct heir of Mesopotamian demon-fighting birth magic. They were among the first mass-printed Jewish amulets.

History

The Lilith legend is recorded by the 10th century. Handwritten and printed childbirth amulets were common from the 18th to early 20th centuries in Eastern Europe, Italy, Persia and North Africa.

Making yours
A4-size paper or parchment. Hebrew calligraphy with a border, a menorah or hand, and the angel names in a triangle.
Jewish Amulets: the tradition

Jewish amulets go back to the silver scrolls of Ketef Hinnom (c. 600 BCE), inscribed with the Priestly Blessing. The Talmud discusses 'proven' amulets (kame'a mumheh) and permits them on the Sabbath. Medieval Kabbalah developed a rich practical magic of divine names, angel names and letter permutations, recorded in books like Sefer Raziel. Amulets for mothers and newborns, against the demoness Lilith, were universal from Morocco to Iran to Eastern Europe. Italian, Persian, Yemeni, Kurdish and Moroccan Jewish silversmiths each developed distinctive styles, many now in the Israel Museum and Jewish museums worldwide.

See all 9, save the ones that feel rightAsk about having one made
Cabbalistic amulet for safe pregnancy, 18th c.Cabbalistic amulet for safe pregnancy, 18th c.United KingdomTvillingrepresentation amulet from Democratic Republic of the CongoTvillingrepresentation amulet from Democratic Republic of the CongoDemocratic Republic of the CongoChinese charm to accelerate labourChinese charm to accelerate labourChinaCabbalistic amulet for safe pregnancy, 18th c.Cabbalistic amulet for safe pregnancy, 18th c.Deux pendentif-amulettes juifs représentant Salomon en saint cavalier, transperçant de sa lance la démone LilithDeux pendentif-amulettes juifs représentant Salomon en saint cavalier, transperçant de sa lance la démone LilithCabbalistic amulet the safe pregnancy, 18th c.Cabbalistic amulet the safe pregnancy, 18th c.United KingdomCabbalistic amulet the safe pregnancy, 18th c.Cabbalistic amulet the safe pregnancy, 18th c.Amulets associated with childbirth and children. AustraliaAmulets associated with childbirth and children. AustraliaChinese charm to accelerate labourChinese charm to accelerate labour

More from Jewish Amulets: Silver kame’ot & Shaddai plaques · Judeo-Moroccan hamsas & amulets · Other & unsorted Jewish Amulets
Every type in the gallery

Anything in the gallery can be made: any piece, any tradition, in its own material or yours, by hand from the documented original. Numbered. Price on commission, quoted before anything is made. I reply within one business day.