Historical talisman traditions
Bulla
The bulla is described as a round or heart-shaped case carried on a necklace or as a pendant. It holds an invocation or another protective substance rather than being only an empty decoration. The Pavitts connect it with free-born Roman boys and note that poorer wearers used leather instead of gold. Additional tusks or grotesque figures could be attached to avert the evil glance.
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In the sources
Principal account
ReportedThe bulla is described as a round or heart-shaped case carried on a necklace or as a pendant. It holds an invocation or another protective substance rather than being only an empty decoration.
Further detail
ReportedThe Pavitts connect it with free-born Roman boys and note that poorer wearers used leather instead of gold. Additional tusks or grotesque figures could be attached to avert the evil glance.
Context & interpretation
The Pavitts’ 1922 compilation gathers symbols and attributed powers from several traditions, sometimes with conjectural origins. Its statements about protection, health, and fortune document talismanic belief rather than demonstrated effects or medical guidance.
Original passages
Source 1
The Book of Talismans, Amulets and Zodiacal Gems
very popular and was adopted as the badge of free-born boys ; it usually contained an invocation to one or more of the gods. AmongOpen this page in the book
Passage & edition details
Location recorded at citation review: Historical talisman traditions; active reader leaf 125
Exact passage checked against active scan text and original-leaf mapping; scan line breaks normalised.
- Edition
- IMJ-0074-E001
- Reader page
- IMJ-0074-E001-P0125
- Original scan leaf
- 126
- Recorded leaf number
- 126
- Current Reader position
- 118
- Reader verification
- Source-preserving update confirmed
Source 2
The Book of Talismans, Amulets and Zodiacal Gems
to save its wearer from the Evil EyeOpen this page in the book
Passage & edition details
Location recorded at citation review: Historical talisman traditions; active reader leaf 126
Exact passage checked against active scan text and original-leaf mapping; scan line breaks normalised.
- Edition
- IMJ-0074-E001
- Reader page
- IMJ-0074-E001-P0126
- Original scan leaf
- 127
- Recorded leaf number
- 127
- Current Reader position
- 119
- Reader verification
- Source-preserving update confirmed
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