Religious paraphernalia

[lilobee]

I don't mean to sound like a religious freak or anything, but every time I see somebody wearing rosary's, crucifixes, saint's pictures, etc. it really pisses me off! I am catholic myself, and I find it extremely offensive to my faith. These things I consider sacred, and not for completing an outfit. I don't understand why they have use those things into jewelry in a world with so much jewelry already! I guess it has some sort of a "look" to it that people like, but it's not cool to go making what is holy and sacred into pieces of jewelry. They are beautiful, obviously, but not for frivolous uses. I hope nobody thinks I'm attacking the people on this thread, I just feel obligated to stand up for my faith.

 

[gius]

that makes sense^ although crosses also has other themes attached to it, not necessarily religion.. maybe death. magic. some people are into that whole mood..

i am along with Tondo and prehuman, something dramatic , romantic
and also visually, beautiful

 

[lilobee]

well, generally, it refers to Christ's Crucifixion. The christians use the cross, but not a crucifix. Catholics use the crucifix. The difference is that the crucifix has Jesus Christ on it, to remember his sacrifice. People who are into death or dark magic use the cross as a satirical symbol, mocking the christian faith. That's what bothers me mostly about the whole thing. It seems like a mockery.

 

[gius]

i was looking at the Ghost's original post
he's the starter of this thread..
there is no body on the crosses, the necklace which he is looking for, so I guess it's a mistake in the title.
Anyway I'll change it to encompass other related designs..

Really it reminds me of the Nerd Glasses trend, seen in Trendspotting forum
people who don't need glasses to see but wear them for fashion

 

[lilobee]

haha thanks :-D It was really nice of you to change the forum title. You're really cool. I appreciate that you don't feel offended by what I said, cuz I really don't mean it to offend anybody. You're awesome! <3

 

[prehuman]

well, generally, it refers to Christ's Crucifixion. The christians use the cross, but not a crucifix. Catholics use the crucifix. The difference is that the crucifix has Jesus Christ on it, to remember his sacrifice. People who are into death or dark magic use the cross as a satirical symbol, mocking the christian faith. That's what bothers me mostly about the whole thing. It seems like a mockery.

I am not Christian, but I can also understand how it may seem that way to someone of your faith. Personally, I don't wear christian related jewelry and symbols satirically. I view it as appreciating a specific style of art that has changed over time. I view it as appreciating and reflecting on principles that have progressed and changed society over a loooong period of time.

I guess my point is that there are a lot of different meanings to religious symbols, and they mean different things to different people--just as art, just as God himself.

 

[fashion.fashoff]

i'm not religious so i do not wear any religiously symbolic jewelry at all, even if some of it is quite fascinating. i used to have a wonderful antique austro-hungarian reliquary necklace; it featured a large central gem-studded silver and gold plaque centered by a glass dome encasing a relic of a saint (not identified). this was connected to about 14 silver chains to wear it around your neck. i can't find my pic right now.

also used to have this piece, a circa 1815 german pendant (probably for storing a small rosary or saint's medal)

the german inscription inside means roughly "trust in god, honor your parents, love your neighbors")

pix mine

 

[Tondo]

wow. it's beautiful. i've always had this minor fascination with antiques (as opposed to vintage). they hold the same quality and weight of something religious. i guess they could qualify as a sort of PC substitute.

 

[prehuman]

Not to keep this going too much longer, but I dug this up on wikipedia and found it rather interesting!

The cross is one of the most ancient human symbols, and is used by many religions, such as Christianity. It is frequently a representation of the division of the world into four elements (Chevalier, 1997) (or cardinal points), or alternately as the union of the concepts of divinity, the vertical line, and the world, the horizontal line (Koch, 1955).

It is not known when the first cross image was made; after circles, crosses are one of the first symbols drawn by children of all cultures. There are many cross-shaped incisions in European cult caves, dating back to the earliest stages of human cultural development in the stone age.

 

[Retro]

well, generally, it refers to Christ's Crucifixion. The christians use the cross, but not a crucifix. Catholics use the crucifix. The difference is that the crucifix has Jesus Christ on it, to remember his sacrifice.

FYI, Catholics are Christians.

 

[gius]

I think she means Catholics use the crucifix.. but other sects of Christianity use a cross without Christ's body on it. I don't know myself any of the names of these sects... but all sects will have their own values, guidelines

like Catholics revere Mary and they do the sign of the cross.. I think that's why they are often used in films, especially horror movies because a lot of what they do is very 'visual' .. the ornate decor in the church, the actions of the people, the dress, everything

 

[sill]

Ah, I love the cross but I don't want to wear one because I don't believe in religion..

 

[prehuman]

Pretty white rosaries at John Galliano FW 2009/10

style.com

 

[CaitlinC]

I don't go to church or anything, so out of respect I don't wear them.

I do find them pretty, though.

 

[gius]

i do think it makes some sense and meaning if it's not foreign to you..
like if you were brought up in that kind of environment
also if you are quite interested in history and relics

 

[gius]

prehuman how did you find the pictures you posted from Etsy?
what were your search terms...

i really want this one with praying hands... i've tried prayer, pray hands, hand cameo on Etsy and Ebay but couldn't find one i liked--they were very few
http://ny-image0.etsy.com/il_430xN.54089168.jpg
and also a repousse cross in the same picture (as second choice)

and i love the "coins"
http://ny-image0.etsy.com/il_430xN.52959116.jpg


i just don't know what kind of words to put in the search
and if there are more websites that offer these things...

 

[jeansandtshirt]

Crusader Chic?

thecinematheque.com

What a cool excuse to post one of my favorite pics.

But seriously, I'm neither here nor there (as a Catholic) on the usage of crosses and the crucifix in fashion. I guess I would prefer their usage to be "respectful", but that is up to determination of each person I suppose. I personally do not wear any kinds of crosses currently, but I do find it interesting in the usage of Maltese Cross around the biker community (especially during the past few years). More or less it was used as a socially acceptable replacement for the swastika that was quite common with motorcycle "gangs" post WWII in the US. I doubt many find the connection to the Knights of Malta. *grins*

 

[saann]

I love those rosaries you posted prehuman
I have soooo many at home in different colours, I think they look so great when multiplied and worn with just a simple tank top

I'm christian and it doesn't bother me when others wear it as just fashion, it doesn't cheapen it's meaning for me

 

[prehuman]

prehuman how did you find the pictures you posted from Etsy?
what were your search terms...

I typed in a few things. Religion, crucifix, cross. It takes a bit of searching but totally worth it. I just bought this 5 foot chain; I plan on making a vest type thing out of it.

 

[Deleted member 1957]

Am a Christian but not of the Catholic faith and stll tread softly on this trend I tried the rosary briefly but for some reason it didnt feel right