Tiger Jewelry – More than a Beautiful Trinket

By  //  January 20, 2021

The tiger is a symbol of energy, strength, and talent. William Blake’s “Tyger Tyger, burning bright … ” perfectly illustrates the incredible dynamic energy of the striped predator. This energy can be used for both constructive and destructive purposes.

If you like this big cat and would like to make it your totem animal, you first need to get to know the plentitude of meanings inherent in it. The specific meaning depends on the culture that worships the tiger and its particular depiction.

The Significance of Tigers in World Cultures

The tiger is highly revered in the areas where it lives. As a symbol, it is both lunar and solar. It is a creator and destroyer.

The tiger fighting the snake symbolizes heavenly solar power. In a battle with a lion or an oriental dragon, the tiger becomes a lunar, evil symbol. Along with that, it signifies royal dignity, strength, cruelty, ferocity, anger, and agility. It is also the personification of Mother Earth.

In Europe, the tiger is a symbol of power and bloodlust. In his poem “The Tyger”, William Blake emphasizes the symbolism of duality and connects it with dangerous natural instincts.

In Western visual arts, tigers are quite rare. Nevertheless, tigers are depicted pulling the chariot of the ancient Greek god of wine Dionysus.

In the Far East, the tiger is considered a symbol of nobility and happiness. At the same time, in the cultures of Asia and India, where the tiger often replaces the lion as the main emblem of greatness and strength, it can be a symbol of both aggression and protection.

In Southeast Asia, the tiger is a common ancestral figure. Tales of the fierce tigermen are known from India to Siberia.

Just like the lion, the tiger symbolizes life and death, good and evil. Some gods (for example, Durga) ride tigers to demonstrating their power.

The Hindu god Shiva and his warlike consort Kali often wear tiger fur. In India, the image of the tiger is a military emblem, since the mighty predator is associated with valor and courage.

In Korea, the tiger is revered as the guardian of the four cardinal points. He is credited with the ability to bring happiness as well as drive out diseases and grief. The first lunar month in Korea is called the Month of the Tiger. In New Year’s rituals, it cooperates with magpies, the birds that bring good news.

What Do Tigers Mean in China?

In Chinese Buddhism, the tiger is one of the three Insensitive Beings. It personifies anger. The other two beings are the monkey, the symbol of greed, and the deer, the personification of insatiable lust.

For the Chinese, the tiger is the king of beasts, the ruler of all animals living on earth. As a bi-fold symbol, he is yin and yang at the same time.

When it is yang, its significance is power, courage, strength, and fury. When it is yin, it is engaged in the fight with the dragon. When being pictured together, they symbolize the opposite forces of spirit and matter.

The tiger is the third of the animals representing the Twelve Earthly Branches as well as the third sign of the Chinese horoscope. The God of Wealth rides a tiger to guard the chests of coins. The Chinese wind goddess rides a tiger as well. It guards graves and scares evil spirits away.

Five legendary tigers guard the cardinal points and the center. The White Tiger stands for the west and autumn; its element is metal. The Blue Tiger is east, spring, and plants. The Red Tiger is south, summer, and fire. The Black Tiger means north, winter, and water. The Yellow Tiger is the center and the Sun.

Tiger Images in Jewelry

Tiger jewelry allows expressing personal traits inherent in both the mighty animal and a specific person. Tiger rings for men signify dominance, willpower, and courage. Tiger jewelry for women illustrates independence, luck, and cunning.

Images of the tiger are often complemented by other symbols. They add new meanings to tiger imagery.

Here are some of them:

■ The tiger and butterflies personify a free spirit, independence, and fearlessness;

■ The tiger and the dragon is another manifestation of yin and yang;

■ The head of a tiger pierced by a blade denotes betrayal, rebirth, or sacrifice;

■ The tiger in a crown indicates superiority over other people. The owner of this jewelry emphasizes his or her leadership qualities and self-confidence.

More often than not, jewelry showcases a tiger with a grin. Such an image can be interpreted in multiple ways. For example, it may express disagreement with the opinion of the majority or showcase the anger and rage hidden within.

Regardless of a particular portrayal of the tiger, it is always strong and confident in its power. You must radiate the same qualities if you want the tiger to be your talisman. Otherwise, it is going to subdue you to his will.