Antique jewelry glossary

Welcome to our extensive antique jewelry glossary with around 1,500 jewelry related entries.If you feel you are missing an explanation, feel free to let us know and we will add it.

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Mother Mary

Mother Mary is considered the patron saint of the human race, so central is her role in church devotion, and she is second only to Jesus. So numerous, complex and well known are the many legends surrounding Mary as the Virgin and as the mother of Jesus, in religious history, art and cult. Her depictions and manifestations seem countless, as are reported visions of Mary at places like Lourdes, Fatima and Medjugorje.

There is little factual information of Mary's early life. As a young girl she was betrothed to Joseph of Nazareth and told in a dream by the angel Gabriel of the incarnation of Jesus. Her devotion to God and to Jesus, son of God, elevate her as an intercessor patron, but cloaked in humanity, with whom all can identify. According to John's gospel, she encouraged Jesus to perform the water into wine miracle, lent quiet support to his life and was at the foot of his cross when cut down from the crucifixion.

There are dozens of symbols associated with Mother Mary, and dozens of flowers! Some of these icons are: the blue robe, moon and stars, palm branch, olive branch, the well, fountain, vase, apple and more!

Mother Mary has many feast days associated with the holy events of her life. January 1st celebrates Mary's role in the incarnation and redemption; February 2nd, the purification of Christ in the temple; March 25th the annunciation; May 31st the visitation; and September 8th (assigned birth date), September 15th the assumption to heaven; December 8th (nativity).