Triangular amulets: symbolism and jewellery traditions in the Middle East

by dr. Sigrid van Roode | Magic & Amulets

The meaning of triangles

Triangular amulets: symbolism and jewellery traditions in the Middle East

Updated October 1, 2025

Amulets come in many forms, and one of the most familiar is the triangular amulet. Found in jewellery across the Middle East and North Africa, these pieces combine shape, symbolism, and protection. The triangle itself has long been understood as a powerful form, associated with balance, fertility, and strength.

In this blog, part of my series on amulets in jewellery, we’ll look at how triangular amulets appear in silver, beads, textiles, and more — and what they might have meant to the people who wore them.

The symbolism of triangles in amulets and jewellery

Where does the triangle shape of amulets come from? As this is a very ancient symbol, its exact origin is difficult to pinpoint. It may be connected to phenomena in the natural world, such as the sun breaking through clouds, or a stylization of a mountain.

Both are associated with otherworldly realms: the rays of sun are interpreted as a stairway to heaven in some cultures, and mountains are known as places where gateways to other worlds may be located.

Apart from its physical shape, the triangle also carries symbolic value. It represents the constellation of man-woman-child, or the cycle of birth-life-death. Those symbolic values are also echoed in the number 3: see more about numerical values in jewellery here.

The most important thing to remember, I think, is that there is not just one open-and-shut explanation for what a triangle represents. It is not just one and the same thing to every culture that has ever walked this earth. For example, in some cultures, the triangle may also represent a stylized female wearing a dress – or could it be the other way around, that the dress is exaggerated as a triangle precisely because of its symbolic properties?

I’m usually wary of claims for any shape as representing one thing only. The reality of informal ritual and human associations is much more fluid and prone to changes, so instead, I’d suggest we all keep an open mind to the possibility of other explanations.

What we do know, is that the triangle is an important shape, and so you’ll find it in numerous amulets. Let’s look at some examples next! Here, I’ll go into actual amulets, objects designed to keep a person safe or attract good luck – triangles are worked into jewellery as design element in a million ways, but that’s for another blog!

Triangular amulets of gold and silver as containers

One form in which you’ll find triangular amulets, is as an amulet container made of precious metal. These are designed to hold either specific texts, or substances such as incense and herbs. They form part of a complete repertoire of amulet containers: Learn more about amulet containers and their surprising origin in this article.

You’ll find them incorporated into jewellery or worn on their own, executed in gold or silver, or maybe in less precious materials – triangles form a very recognizable form of amulet.

Beaded, textile and leather triangular amulets for protection

The triangle shape is also often used to create amulets that contain something, but that cannot be opened. These more like pouches, and what is contained in them, is often only known to wearer, or even only to the person who made the amulet: the wearer may just have to trust in their craft and knowledge.

These are also worn in jewellery, like the necklace above in the British Museum shows (click to enlarge it). Here, you’ll see a red fabric triangular amulet along with other materials that are known to keep evil at a distance: a tortoise shield and pieces of alum, also in a triangular shape. I’ll be going over those in future posts!

But more often, triangular amulets of fabric, leather of beaded forms are hung on other things than humans: cattle, but also one’s house, car, or utensils. The photo above shows a triangular amulet with golden sequins (and one blue one, against the evil eye), on a loom in Uzbekistan, where I photographed it.

You’ll find them incorporated into jewellery or worn on their own, executed in gold or silver, or maybe in less precious materials – triangles form a very recognizable form of amulet.

Triangular amulets: regional variations

The triangle shape is important in amulets, and this series will continue with very specific examples of triangular amulets that each have their own capacities:

Tunisian resin triangle amulets

Palestinian Hajar Musa triangle amulets

Triangular amulets: Frequently Asked Questions

Why are some amulets triangular?
The triangle is one of the simplest and strongest shapes. It may be derived from sunlight falling through clouds, from the shape of mountains, or refer to female dress. In jewellery, triangular amulets embody this varying symbolism.

What are triangular amulets made of?
They can be made from silver or gold, often serving as containers for prayers or texts. Other examples are created from beads, fabric, leather, or even resin, depending on local traditions.

Where are triangular amulets found?
Triangular amulets are recorded across the wider Middle East and North Africa. Each region used different materials and techniques to shape the triangular form.

Do triangular amulets always have the same meaning?
No. While the triangle often symbolises strength or fertility, its meaning changes depending on time and place.

Are triangular amulets still used today?
The triangle shape is still a popular form for pendants protecting homes, cars and people. They continue to illustrate the cultural importance of amulets in jewellery history.

Triangular amulets: meaning in geometry

By looking closely at triangular forms, we can trace how the simplest geometry became part of a shared visual language of amulets in jewellery.

This post is part of my series on amulets in jewellery — alongside blogs on for example eye beads, glass amulets, and clove necklaces. Together, they show how different materials and forms across the Middle East and North Africa were carriers of protective power!

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Sigrid van Roode

Sigrid van Roode is an archeologist, ethnographer and jewellery historian. Her main field of expertise is jewellery from North Africa and Southwest Asia, as well as archaeological and archaeological revival jewellery. She has authored several books on jewellery, and obtained her PhD at Leiden University on the jewellery of the Egyptian zar-ritual. Sigrid has lectured for the National Museum of Antiquities in Leiden, Turquoise Mountain Jordan, and many others. She provides consultancy and research on jewellery collections for both museums and private collections, teaches courses and curates exhibitions. She is not involved in the business of buying and selling jewellery, and focuses on research, knowledge production, and education only.

Quick guide: how do amulet cases open?

by dr. Sigrid van Roode | Magic & Amulets

Islamic amulet containers

Quick guide: how do amulet cases open?

Published Feb 05, 2024

Amulet cases look straightforward at first glance – until you try to open one. Across North Africa and Southwest Asia, silver containers called hirz were made to hold folded texts or small protective items, and their opening mechanisms can be surprisingly diverse. Some use a slider lid, others a hinged cap, and a few hide the opening in the decoration. In this post, part of my series on amulets in jewellery, I’ll walk you through the most common constructions, what the exterior hardware can tell you, and why – sometimes – the most responsible choice is not to open an amulet case at all.

How amulet cases open

Before you dive in: this article shows the three main types of silver amulet cases and their historic development. It may be useful to scroll through this one again to refresh your memory. So, let’s see how these open!

Amulet case type 1: how to open tubular amulet cases

These invariably open on the side. One of the caps at the end functions as the lid. This is clearly visible with the Yemeni container shown above (click to enlarge the photos).

Often, you may find the opening cap integrated into the chainwork, as shown above with the Egyptian cases, or sporting a suspension loop of its own as in the container from Iran.

This is an extra failsafe in case the container opens: the cap would still be attached to the chain.

Amulet case type 2: how to open slim rectangular, square and triangular amulet cases

These may open in two different ways: using a sliding mechanism on one of the sides or its top, or by removing the cap on either side.

The triangular case from Egypt, shown above, has a sliding lid that opens by pulling the upper suspension loop (the one on top)

Amulet case type 3: how to open larger amulet boxes

These usually have a lid that can be removed, much like a locket. The hinge often doubles as suspension loop.

A stunning silver and coral necklace from Yemen.

Closed amulet cases: containers that cannot be opened

Not all amulet containers can be opened. That may be because the cap or lid has been welded shut, and I would advise to leave it that way. We’re not supposed to see what’s inside.

But a much more common reason is that many of the designs were created without an opening in the first place. That is for example the case with the jewellery shown above. All of these carry amulet cases in one form or another, and none of these can be opened. The Tunisian pendant is even designed as a bead in the shape of a cylindrical amulet case: the chain runs right through it.

Their shape associates them with their presumed contents: it’s not so much ‘form follows function’, but rather ‘form takes over function’.

How to spot if and where an amulet container opens

Observe the construction of your amulet container very closely. Look for seams, edges or lines that suggest a point of separation. This can be a thin line around the edges that the other end does not have, or a small gap. If the amulet is firmly closed, this may be nearly impossible to spot.

Sliding mechanisms usually have either small ridges or grooves, or tiny protrusions (and that could be the suspension loop from which the pendant itself hangs). Both serve to facilitate the sliding.

Hinges are usually visible: here as well, look for any seams or gaps that may indicate the lid is openable.

Should you open amulet containers….?

If you decide to inspect your amulet containers for opening mechanisms, I’d advise to do so very carefully. Avoid the use of excessive force to pry them open, as vintage to antique objects damage easily. If the lid is jammed, welded shut or stuck otherwise, leave it be.

I’d also advise to consider the reasons for opening an amulet container. When you’re studying its contents, it may contribute a great deal to our understanding of the culture the wearer comes from. But afterwards, perhaps it would be best to put its contents back inside.

Its contents were not meant to be seen by anyone but the wearer, so from that point of view, it would be a sign of respect not to open them, or at least to keep their contents private. Whatever is inside, it once made someone feel secure and safe – a feeling we can easily honour.

Conclusion: function before ornament

Understanding how an amulet case opens starts with recognising its function. The lid, loops, and cord channels were designed to protect contents that mattered—texts, blessings, and personal safeguards. For collectors and curators, that means reading the object before handling it: identify the mechanism, note weaknesses, and consider the ethical and conservation implications. In many cases, the amulet’s meaning is preserved best by leaving it closed. These are objects of belief first and ornament second, and their construction tells that story clearly.

Frequently Asked Questions about amulet cases

Why do some amulet cases refuse to open?
Many were closed tightly to protect the contents. Old repairs, corrosion, or grit in slider grooves can also jam the mechanism.

What types of openings do amulet cases use?
The most common are slider lids (a sleeve pushed along a track), hinged caps with tiny pins, and end caps that twist or pull.

How can I tell where the opening is?
Look for joins in the metal, a slightly raised track for sliders, or a small pin at one end for hinges. Cord channels are not openings.

Is it safe to open an amulet case?
Often no. Contents can be fragile paper or organic material; forcing a mechanism risks damage. When in doubt, consult a conservator.

What might be inside an amulet case?
Folded or rolled text (prayer, verse, numbers), tiny written charms, or occasionally small inclusions like threads or beads.

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Sigrid van Roode is an archeologist, ethnographer and jewellery historian. Her main field of expertise is jewellery from North Africa and Southwest Asia, as well as archaeological and archaeological revival jewellery. She has authored several books on jewellery, and obtained her PhD at Leiden University on jewellery, informal ritual and collections. Sigrid has lectured for the National Museum of Antiquities in Leiden, Turquoise Mountain Jordan, and many others. She provides consultancy and research on jewellery collections for both museums and private collections, teaches courses and curates exhibitions. She is not involved in the business of buying and selling jewellery, and focuses on research, knowledge production, and education only. Sigrid strongly believes in accessibility of knowledge, and aims to provide reliable and trustworthy content: that’s why the Bedouin Silver blog provides references and citations.

Islamic amulet cases

by dr. Sigrid van Roode | Magic & Amulets

History of amulet containers

Types of Islamic amulet cases

Published Jan 1, 2024

What is the origin of Islamic amulet cases? Often called hirz, higab or taweez they come in various shapes and forms, and those forms tell us more about their history. These cases hold (Islamic) talismans, and the nature of this talisman is hinted at by the shape of the container. Because ‘form follows function’ is not just a designer’s oneliner: looking at the shape of an amulet container is very revealing of its historic origins and its setting.

This post brings you up to speed with the 3 elementary shapes of amulet cases – it takes less than 3 minutes!

Amulet case type 1: Tubular amulet cases

These go way back! Evidence backing up the use of amulet cases in the shape of a tube already stems from ancient Egypt, as the example above shows (click the image to enlarge it). In Iraq, an alabaster jar excavated near Baghdad contained ten amulet cases. [1] The shape of all these containers is revealing of two things: their long-gone contents, and the incredible time span they have been in use.

Tubular amulet cases are designed to hold scrolls. You’ll see some examples of Islamic amulets for protection above (click to enlarge the photos). These you would roll up and insert them into the amulet case.

This is a practice that stems from the times that writing was done mainly on papyrus sheets. These can’t be folded very well (although it happened occasionally, but it was never considered a huge success), so they were usually rolled into scrolls. Large scrolls would contain complete books, and tiny scrolls could accommodate just a few words. Like spells, or religious texts.

The scroll as the essential form of a written amulet is so old, that once paper was invented, the practice of writing, and even printing, the use of talismanic scrolls continued. [2] Never change a winning form, right?

Amulet case type 2: Slim rectangular, square and triangular amulet cases

When writing materials changed, a new shape of amulet cases popped up. Unlike papyrus, paper can easily be folded, and tucked into a rectangular or square amulet case. In the Mediterranean, this form of amulet case started to develop in the early Middle Ages.

These can contain more than just a sheet of paper: they may hold complete books. When books began to be designed in the form we know today (a bunch of pages held together by a spine and two covers), they could also be created in miniature form.

A special style of Islamic case is the Qur’an holder, which contains a complete version of the Qur’an.

Triangular amulet cases were created even later. These may also hold written texts or prayers, but here their form is important, too: it refers to the number 3. Click here for the surprising ways numerology is present in jewellery!

Amulet case type 3: Larger amulet boxes

An entirely different form is that of the amulet box. Here, the amulet case is shaped like a box. Its opening is significantly larger than that of a regular, slim amulet container: these often have an actual lid instead of a narrow, letterbox-like slot. The amulet box also has more space inside.

This design is also very old. Above you’ll see some examples: a gold amulet box called bulla, and a gold necklace holding such an amulet box. Click on the images to enlarge them and to see the accompanying captions.

Originally, box-like amulet cases are not designed to hold texts, but things. Their origins lie in the use of amulet pouches. Based on the advice of a healer or ritual practitioner, the boxes would hold magical materials that were believed to be helpful.

Later on, they were also used to hold folded pieces of paper, custom-made miniature books, and fragrance. Today, they may hold a variety of things, from very personal mementoes to texts, fragrances, prayers and more.

Bedouin Silver | Selection of islamic amulet cases

Islamic amulet cases: rooted in a long history

All of these forms are still used in Islamic amulet cases of North Africa and the Middle East. Above are some examples from Tunisia, Syria, Oman, Yemen, Egypt and Iraq. And of course, these basic shapes are not limited to the Islamic world: protecting oneself is one of the oldest human traditions, and as such similar shapes are found worldwide. Looking at the shape of a jewel may tell you a lot about its historic origin and uses!

…and in case you’re wondering how amulet cases actually open: Read this quick guide next!

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What is inside amulet cases and how were they used? Find out in the e-course on amulets & charms!

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References

[1] Read more about this find here with the Metropolitan Museum of Art

[2] See for block printed talismanic scrolls K. Schaefer 2022, The material nature of block printed amulets: what makes them amulets?

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Sigrid van Roode

Sigrid van Roode is an archeologist, ethnographer and jewellery historian. Her main field of expertise is jewellery from North Africa and Southwest Asia, as well as archaeological and archaeological revival jewellery. She has authored several books on jewellery. Sigrid has lectured for the National Museum of Antiquities in Leiden, Turquoise Mountain Jordan, and many others. She provides consultancy and research on jewellery collections for both museums and private collections, teaches courses and curates exhibitions. She is not involved in the business of buying and selling jewellery, and focuses on research, knowledge production, and education only.