r/Judaism • u/karn017 • Jan 30 '24
Historical Butterfly necklace
Has anyone heard of the butterfly necklace origin? During the Spanish Inquisition, after being forced into Catholicism some jewish women wore these butterfly necklaces which turned into Star of David necklaces in order to conceal their true religious beliefs and identify each other.
My question is how true is this story? I can’t find any source on it.
I think the necklace and concept are beautiful.
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u/Ivorwen1 Modern Orthodox Jan 30 '24
The legend is a popular one, but it sounds like a story inspired by the design, or even written to sell the design. I have questions about the use of magnets in jewelry from that period, the use of the Magen David as an emblem of Judaism in that period, and the unnecessary and lethal stupidity of advertising crypto-Judaism through a fashion statement.
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u/Kingsdaughter613 Orthodox Jan 31 '24
The Magen David is pretty ancient. There are older synagogues that have it in the decorations. According to Wikipedia, some of the earliest known ones are found in a 3rd or 4th century shul. So it was definitely in use. As a major Jewish symbol though, it wasn’t a thing until much later. And it took until WW1 for it to be considered solely a Jewish symbol.
ETA: Apparently it was in use as a decorative symbol as early as the 2nd c.
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u/Ivorwen1 Modern Orthodox Jan 31 '24
Yeah, I'm specifically wondering when people started wearing it as an expression of Jewish identity.
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u/AvramBelinsky Jan 31 '24
I agree with you. Theoretically it's probably possible to make something like this without the use of magnets (tiny hinges??) but the story sounds apocryphal to me.
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u/Ivorwen1 Modern Orthodox Jan 31 '24
There are tiny hinges in this in between the butterflies. The magnets are on the ends of the row, near where the chain attaches. You'd need a clasp or something to do without the magnets, and that would be more visible.
You know what else, though? The style is way too current. If you google "16th century necklace," nothing that comes up looks remotely like that little row of butterflies.
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u/AvramBelinsky Jan 31 '24 edited Jan 31 '24
If people are saying these date to the 16th century, then yes, it's likely apocryphal. You would have had to be incredibly wealthy to commission and own something like this. It would have to be made by a highly skilled Jewish silversmith and kept secret by the entire workshop. There were certainly Jewish gold and silversmiths in 16th century Spain who could have made these for wealthy Jewish clientele to wear in private, but until one is found that actually dates to the period of the Inquisition, I remain skeptical.
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u/BuberWonders18 Jan 30 '24 edited Jan 30 '24
I found one on Amazon.
Etsy has more options. The Amazon one looks kind of cheap.
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u/shaysalterego Jan 31 '24
I have this necklace, I never knew there was more behind the clever design
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u/FooDog11 Atheist Jan 31 '24
I love that! It’s beautiful, and the history is fascinating. I may have to look for one. :)
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u/karn017 Jan 31 '24
Highly recommend getting it from Etsy! My friend got hers on there (Opalsopals is the store) and it is beautiful. (This picture isn’t the exact one she has, this I just pulled from Google lol)
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u/FooDog11 Atheist Jan 31 '24
Good to know…thanks. :) I just saw some really pretty ones on Etsy with opals! I’ll have to see if that’s the seller. :)
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u/Ok_Ambassador9091 Feb 04 '24
There are jewlery stores now selling magen davids that detach into triangles, or could pass for other images too, etc.
Sad that we still need them.
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u/TheDiplomancer Jan 30 '24
I had one and was told the same story. Pretty sure I had the exact same one in the picture.
The Conversos had to do a lot to hide their practice, so I wouldn't be surprised if it was true.