Men have worn necklaces throughout history for all kinds of reasons. For protection, for religious or cultural reasons, and for style. Traditional artisans preserve these early meanings by hand-crafting men’s necklaces in the style of their ancestors. In Peru, men wore human and divine symbols, integrating animals (like snakes and felines) into their necklace designs, flaps, diadems, and bracelets. In Bali, necklaces were worn for special occasions, such as traditional ceremonies or to honor tribal chiefs or important healers. Across Central America, men’s necklaces revealed the rank, social position, and personal beliefs of the wearer. Leaders often wore large necklaces across their necks and chests, and fur, metal, feathers, shells, bone, and other natural stones were used to decorate their jewelry. In India, royal families wore precious and semi-precious gemstones to show off their wealth and status. While these original meanings may have faded with time, traditional artisans keep this history alive by creating new, unique pieces using techniques of old.
Did men wear necklaces in ancient times?
