I’ve always found it fascinating how strongly people connect to mythology. Not just as stories, but as symbols of themselves reflected back. Different myths and their symbols seem to resonate depending on who we are, what we’re moving through and perhaps what parts of ourselves we’re trying to understand a little better. And antique jewelry has reflected that fascination for centuries.
Mythological figures and symbols appear constantly throughout antique seals and jewelry because these stories have always carried emotional weight far beyond simple decoration. They speak to power, transformation, love, rebellion, devotion, temptation, resilience and identity in ways that still feel remarkably relevant now. So let’s explore that together…
For the woman whose legend…
Refuses to be anything but herself
The unicorn is one of the most enduring mythological creatures to appear in antique seals and symbolic jewellery.
Found throughout medieval legend, heraldry and mythology, unicorns symbolise purity, protection, freedom and the untameable spirit. They were believed impossible to capture by force, becoming powerful symbols of independence, rarity and remaining true to yourself despite the world’s attempts to tame you.
Which perhaps explains why women still feel so drawn to them now.
Check out the Unicorn Pendant
Is powerful and won’t be underestimated
One of the most enduring mythological figures to appear in antique jewellery and seals.
Once framed as monstrous, Medusa has become a powerful symbol of feminine rage, protection and reclaiming narratives that were never entirely fair to begin with.
A talisman for women who have survived, transformed and learnt that softness and strength are perfectly capable of existing within the same person.
Check out the Medusa Pendant
Has great love stories
Cupid appears constantly throughout antique seals and symbolic jewellery, though historically he represented far more than romance alone.
He symbolised desire, emotional truth, longing and the kinds of connections that quietly alter the course of our lives whether we intended them to or not.
A fitting talisman for women who know love is rarely calm, sensible or entirely without consequence.
Check out the Cupid Preparing Pendant.
Mythology and its place in antique jewelry to honour your story
What I love most about mythology in antique jewellery is how naturally these ancient stories continue to evolve alongside the people wearing them.
Mythological figures have appeared in jewellery and seals for centuries because they allow people to communicate identity, emotion, power and aspiration through symbolism rather than words. Figures like Cupid, Medusa, cherubs and classical gods carry meanings that were instantly recognisable to the original wearer and those symbols still resonate just as strongly now.
Over the years I’ve watched Bauble Magpie clients connect deeply to mythological motifs for all sorts of personal reasons. Some are drawn to Athena for her wisdom and self-possession, others to Medusa as a symbol of protection and feminine rage, Atlas for resilience, or Persephone for transformation and duality. What fascinates me is that the connection usually feels instinctive long before it feels logical. Which perhaps explains why these stories have survived so long in jewellery at all.
Magpies, it’s time to claim your symbol and honour your legend
The thing about mythological symbols is that they endure because people continue to see themselves within them. Different centuries. Different women. Different lives. The stories change shape slightly each time they’re worn, while the emotional pull behind them remains exactly as powerful as ever. So, if there’s a particular figure, symbol or myth that you continually find yourself returning to… I’d pay attention to that.
Whether you’re looking for a custom signet ring that makes a statement from one of our antique wax seals or want to carry your talisman with you as a custom intaglio pendant, the options are near endless.
With love and shiny things, always
Emma and the Bauble Magpie Team
