Natural cowrie shell earrings

Description

African earrings made with back cut Cowrie shells and Ghana recycled glass beads. Earrings hoops made with gold plated stainless steel.

The cowrie shell is thought to be one of the world’s oldest currencies. In Ancient Africa, they were traded for goods just like the dollar is today, and their use quickly spread to other civilizations. However, these small sea shells have a much deeper meaning.
According to African legends, cowrie shells represent the protective power of the Ocean Goddess Yemaya. They were fashioned into jewelry by women all over Western Africa as a symbol of fertility, womanhood, and successful births.
Royals from African and American cultures also wore rows of these shells to signify wealth, prosperity, and protection. According to the ancient Hausa proverb: “Whoever is patient with a cowrie shell will one day have thousands of them.”