The inverted crescent shape that hangs from the bottom of the Squash Blossom necklace dates back thousands of years. Called a 'Naja' by the Navajo, this shape dates back to the Paleolithic period and is mentioned in the Book of Judges as an ornament worn around the neck of camels. The Phoenician goddess Astarte was represented by the inverted crescent and the symbol used as a pendant has been found in Ancient Rome and Crete.
During the Middle Ages, the Moors, came from the Middle East and occupied Spain. They adopted the symbol as a bridle ornament for their horses believing the inverted crescent would protect them and their horses. When the Spaniards came to the the Americas they travelled with Moors and brought the symbol of protection with them.
It was the Moors who taught the Spanish silversmithing and the Spanish who taught the Mexicans and the Mexicans who taught the Navajo. The Navajo taught the Zuni and the Hopi silversmithing.
The Navajo are not the only Native Americans to adopt the inverted crescent symbol. From the early 1800's on the Naja pendant was used by, among others, the Shawnee, Delaware, Cheyenne, Comanche and Navajo tribes. The Naja was put on almost every Navajo horse's headstall (the front, center band of the horses bridle). In early 1900s photographs, Hopi dancers are seen wearing the Naja as a central component of beaded necklaces.
The inspiration for the blossoms came from the Spanish Conquistadors who wore pomegranate blossoms along their pant legs. Spanish Colonial gentlemen wore variations of the pomegranate flower blossom on their shirts, capes and trousers as silver adornment. The blossom is represented by long petals beginning to open. The Navajo found the blossoms reminded them of the flowering squash plants that were a primary source of food, along with corn, for the tribe.
Some squash blossom necklaces from the 1880s and 1890s were made with hand-hammered Mexican silver coins. The hand hammered silver coins were also used to make beads. Many Navajo will tell the story of taking coins and putting them on the railroad tracks to flatten the silver for shaping into flowers or beads.
But not all squash blossom necklaces have Naja's or flowers. Some have decorative elements and stones. Some are made with coins to represent the blossoms. Some blossoms are dragonfly or fishtail symbols. Today, these necklaces continue to inspire the creativity of Native American jewelry makers. Squash blossoms can be made from gold and gemstones and feature elaborate designs.
During the Middle Ages, the Moors, came from the Middle East and occupied Spain. They adopted the symbol as a bridle ornament for their horses believing the inverted crescent would protect them and their horses. When the Spaniards came to the the Americas they travelled with Moors and brought the symbol of protection with them.
It was the Moors who taught the Spanish silversmithing and the Spanish who taught the Mexicans and the Mexicans who taught the Navajo. The Navajo taught the Zuni and the Hopi silversmithing.
The Navajo are not the only Native Americans to adopt the inverted crescent symbol. From the early 1800's on the Naja pendant was used by, among others, the Shawnee, Delaware, Cheyenne, Comanche and Navajo tribes. The Naja was put on almost every Navajo horse's headstall (the front, center band of the horses bridle). In early 1900s photographs, Hopi dancers are seen wearing the Naja as a central component of beaded necklaces.
The inspiration for the blossoms came from the Spanish Conquistadors who wore pomegranate blossoms along their pant legs. Spanish Colonial gentlemen wore variations of the pomegranate flower blossom on their shirts, capes and trousers as silver adornment. The blossom is represented by long petals beginning to open. The Navajo found the blossoms reminded them of the flowering squash plants that were a primary source of food, along with corn, for the tribe.
Some squash blossom necklaces from the 1880s and 1890s were made with hand-hammered Mexican silver coins. The hand hammered silver coins were also used to make beads. Many Navajo will tell the story of taking coins and putting them on the railroad tracks to flatten the silver for shaping into flowers or beads.
But not all squash blossom necklaces have Naja's or flowers. Some have decorative elements and stones. Some are made with coins to represent the blossoms. Some blossoms are dragonfly or fishtail symbols. Today, these necklaces continue to inspire the creativity of Native American jewelry makers. Squash blossoms can be made from gold and gemstones and feature elaborate designs.
SQUASH BLOSSOMS
Desert Flower Squash Blossom
$7,000.00
$5,000.00
Lasting Traditions
$1,500.00
$1,000.00
Traditions at Sunset
$4,200.00
$3,000.00
Remembrance of Spring
$4,500.00
$2,800.00
Olden Ways
$3,150.00
$2,200.00
Beauty By Matthew
$4,800.00
$3,000.00
Forget Me Not
$1,500.00
$1,100.00
Betta's Blue Ridge Beauty
$1,750.00
$1,300.00
Contemporary Traditions
$4,800.00
$3,600.00
Hope for t he Harvest
$1,500.00
$1,100.00
