Expression In Silver: The Meaning Behind Kurdish Jewelry

Written by Emir Taha Macit

Kurdish jewelry holds significant meaning in Kurdish culture. It is an irreplaceable way of personal representation for many people. Dating back to nomadic times for the Kurds, jewelry serves as a symbol of heritage, love, and protection. Jewelry is also used in weddings and various other ceremonies, further displaying the role it plays in representation. From their materials to their craftsmanship and deeper meanings, every aspect of Kurdish jewelry is crucial in understanding Kurdish culture.

In nomadic times, Kurdish jewelry functioned as portable wealth that was useful for trading and a display of identity. At a time when Kurds were mainly focused on animal husbandry and seasonal migration, jewelry was a nice way of shifting one’s focus to themselves. Since there were differences between every tribe’s jewelry, it also helped identify which tribe a person was from.

Their history also helps us understand several aspects of Kurdish jewelry. For instance, their materials. Kurdish jewelry is primarily made from silver, as it was in abundance at the time. Another reason for them to use silver is that gold was mainly used for coins and trading, making it valuable for something otherwise than adornments. There is also a spiritual reason to use silver, which is the fact that silver was associated with terms like purity, protection, and strength, showcasing Kurdish people’s beliefs at the time.

Another part of Kurdish jewelry that we can understand by taking a look at its history is its craftsmanship. As the nomadic lifestyle restricted the artisans’ workspace, they needed to find portable ways of crafting, which is why they integrated the Mesopotamian filigree method. Filigree is a highly intricate technique that entails working with fine wires of silver or gold, twisting and plaiting them into a rope. The rope is then twisted into the desired shapes, which are later put in the silver or gold frame prepared beforehand. Filigree is often used in combination with the granulation method, which is helpful in making small spheres of silver or gold. These methods go to show how much effort is put into these pieces of adornment, and how much they mean to Kurdish people.

Kurdish jewelry has a wide variety of symbolism and motifs. These include the infamous evil eye, coins, pomegranate, geometric patterns, and the sun.

The evil eye, or nazar, is a design in the shape of an eye made with various tones of blue. It is believed to protect the wearer from envy. This belief is prevalent in the Middle East.

Coins are sometimes worn as adornments to symbolize wealth and heritage, especially among nomadic tribes. They help display the wearer’s social status. The pomegranate is a popular motif that symbolizes fertility and protection. The symbolism comes from Kurdish mythology, specifically from the goddess Ana. Ana is believed to be a fertility deity whose blessings are represented by pomegranates.

Geometric patterns have various meanings depending on the shapes. While zigzags represent continuity, star-like shapes represent the divine as well as endurance, and grid patterns represent boundaries. These shapes carry similar meanings to the Kurdish tattoo tradition called Deq.

Sun motifs are symbolic of life force. These designs are often associated with the resilience and determination of the Kurdish people throughout their history.

Kurdish jewelry is frequently used in Kurdish celebrations and ceremonies, such as weddings and festivals (e.g., Newroz festival). During the engagement ceremony called Nikah, rings are exchanged, symbolizing commitment. After Nikah comes the henna night, a night where the women in the families come together to sing, dance, and adorn the bride in traditional jewelry, along with henna motifs. On the wedding day, the bridal attire includes several pieces of silver and sometimes gold jewelry, including necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. The groom’s family presents gifts that often have jewelry in them, signifying the connection between both families.

In conclusion, Kurdish jewelry is a prevalent piece of culture that has managed to stay in people’s lives with very little change. It is a highly intricate art form that has helped many Kurdish people express themselves throughout history. With its deep meanings and beautiful motifs, it will be passed on through generations along with all other resilient pieces of Kurdish culture.

References:

1. Karez Abdullah, “The Influence of Kurdish Rugs, Textiles, and Jewelry in International Markets and Their Representation of Cultural Identity”, 2025, https://chawykurd.com/en/2025/06/02/the-influence-of-kurdish-rugs-textiles-and-jewelry-in-international-markets-and-their-representation-of-cultural-identity

2. “Discovering the Rich Culture of Kurdistan: A Guide to Kurdish-Themed Products”, Kurdistan Shop, 2025, https://kurdistan-store.com/blogs/news/discovering-the-rich-culture-of-kurdistan-a-guide-to-kurdish-themed-products

3. “The Enduring Legacy of Deq - The Ancient Kurdish Tattoo Tradition”, Turkish Diaspora, n.d., https://www.diasporaturkish.com/2025/02/04/1790

4. “Kurdish Wedding - Traditions and Celebrations”, The Bridal Tip, n.d. https://thebridaltip.com/kurd-wedding

5. “The Ancient Art of Filigree”, Rana Mikdashi, n.d. ranamikdashi.com/blogs/journal/the-ancient-art-of-filigree