Charms are worn or possessed by people in response to magical beliefs. Charms are usually of two types: Auspicious and Apotropaic. Auspicious amulets are meant to bring good luck to the person possessing them.
A typical example of this is a talisman. Apotropaic charms are charms that are supposed to avert evil. A typical example of an apotropaic charm is an amulet.
Key Takeaways
- Amulets are objects believed to have protective powers, often worn as a pendant or charm, to ward off evil and bring good luck.
- Talismans are objects with specific energy or power to achieve a desired outcome or goal.
- While both amulets and talismans are believed to have mystical properties, the main difference lies in their purpose: amulets are for protection, while talismans are for achieving specific goals.
Amulets vs. Talismans
The amulet is an apotropaic charm, while the talisman is an auspicious charm. An amulet is a small object worn for protection against evil spirits or bad luck, while a talisman is a charm believed to have magical powers and bring good luck. Amulets are worn to repel negative energy, while talismans attract positive energy.
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Amulets are magic charms that can keep evil spirits and negative energy away. They are also used to keep illness away. Some objects used as amulets are garlic, metals, lucky coins, coal, crucifixes, and horseshoes.
People wear amulets to ensure their protection against evil energy.
Talismans are believed to be somewhat the opposite of amulets. Talismans are supposed to give power, as in positive energy, to the person wearing it.
Some examples of talismans are Aladdin’s magic lamp, magic rod, and Excalibur (King Arthur’s sword). They are generally made up of gemstones and crystals. People wear these magic charms to empower them and make them confident.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Amulets | Talismans |
|---|---|---|
| Etymology | Derived from the Latin word ‘amuletum.’ | It is derived from the Greek word ‘telesma,’ which means consecration ceremony. |
| Purpose | Amulets are meant to keep the negative and evil energy away. | Talismans are meant to empower and provide strength. |
| Category | Apotropaic charm | Auspicious charm |
| Form | Natural forms | It can be natural or human-made. |
| Examples | Herbs, stones, coal, horseshoes, garlic, or other magical objects. | Swords, knives, pendants, rings, or bracelets. |
What are Amulets?
The amulet is derived from the Latin word ‘amulētum,’ which means an object that offers protection. The amulets are magical objects that protect people from evil spirits and negative energy.
People also use amulets to protect themselves from specific things, including severe diseases or illnesses. People believe the amulet has some magical power that protects the person possessing the charm.
The amulet has different types: herbs, stone, garlic, coal, horseshoes, plant or animal parts, coins, or other metals. Amulets also include various signs and symbols.
Amulets can be of the general type or personalized or changed according to the person using them.
It is often used as jewellery to stay within the person every time, and the chances of losing it become negligible. Amulets are natural objects and do not harm anyone.
They improve a person’s quality of life as they satisfy the natural desires of the individual. Some of the popular amulets include “o-fuda,” which is a particular type of calligraphy, “hamsa”, also called “Hand of Fatima,” Seal of Solomon, also known as the Star of David or hexagram.
What are Talismans?
Talisman is derived from the Greek word ‘telesma,’ which means complete and religious rite. It was supposed as an ornament initially used by the Byzantines in times of war.
They would put the talisman on the city walls to ward off the enemies. Talismans are magical objects that give strength and power to those possessing them. People also believe it provides some magical abilities to the person having it.
Talismans are natural amplifiers. They boost the energy and empower the people leading them to make the right choices. Talisman is usually in a single piece of gemstones or any other crystals.
Talisman is a magical charm that can be customized or changed according to the person.
Buying a magical charm for any other person shows the manifestation of love and friendship, and it is believed that such an act will change the receiver’s luck for sure as it has the willpower of the person buying it or making it for you.
The talisman can be personalized according to the requirement. Some are supposed to bring joy and happiness; some bring health; some bring good quality of life, and so on.
Traditional magic schools say that the person should create their talisman, and while making a talisman, they should know about planetary forces and elemental symbols.
One of the popular talismans still in use is the swastika which ranges back to the stone age.
Main Differences Between Amulets and Talismans
- Amulets are charms meant to ward off negative energy and evil spirits, while talismans give power and strength to the person wearing them.
- Amulets can be anything, such as stones, herbs, plant parts, a bag of sand, blue beads, garlic, etc. Talismans are usually in jewellery or bracelets made of gemstones and crystals.
- Amulets are worn to provide defence and protection against evil energy, while talismans are worn to amplify instincts and empower the person possessing them.
- Amulets come naturally, while talismans can be natural or man-made objects.
- Amulets are apotropaic charms, i.e., ward off evil energy, while talismans are auspicious charms, i.e., bring good luck.
- https://books.google.co.in/books?hl=en&lr=&id=wYd-HKmn8jUC&oi=fnd&pg=PR13&dq=amulets+and+talismans&ots=UWtJsweEI3&sig=NHWuH7f4oMf48QUhO35UDbjGdJc&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=amulets%20and%20talismans&f=false
- https://books.google.co.in/books?hl=en&lr=&id=7F8oDwAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PT5&dq=amulets+and+talismans+difference&ots=cg3keal5Dv&sig=dSEEJZWmZdF7eI1QZMSi6XpZBsQ&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=amulets%20and%20talismans%20difference&f=false
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Chara Yadav holds MBA in Finance. Her goal is to simplify finance-related topics. She has worked in finance for about 25 years. She has held multiple finance and banking classes for business schools and communities. Read more at her bio page.
