Healing-Hand Beaded Cross Necklace

- Spiral-Palm Pendant, Southwest-Inspired Jewelry

This meaningful Southwestern cross necklace features an earthy mix of carnelian, yellow agate, off-white wood, and green Czech glass melon beads. Its ceramic cross pendant is artisan-made, with a white glaze artfully applied to give its clay color the time-worn look of a historic artifact. The cross is marked with three variants of the ancient spiral symbol: the spiral-palmed hand, the angular spiral, and the soft spiral. At the base is a square block formed by 9 smaller blocks stacked in thirds. This ornamental design presents an auspicious construction of a trio of threes—a number that has significance in many ancient cultures and religions. The spiral-palmed hand in the center is also auspicious and is considered a healing symbol.

In choosing the beads for this piece, I wished to evoke the the American Southwest as well as the four elements. For the element of fire, I chose the carnelian beads, which have been heat-enhanced and are a deep orange-red. I chose the yellow agate for the earth and the green beads for water. The air is signified by the off-white wooden beads. These colors correspond to elemental colors in Tibetan culture, and seemed to fit beautifully into the western motif, complimenting and enhancing the healing cross pendant.

Also included in this eye-catching necklace are:
• TierraCast silver-plated knobbed spacers in two styles
• Sterling silver rounds and rondelle spacers
• Sterling silver lobster clasp and jump ring 
• Silver-filled jump ring connector for cross • Sterling silver wire guards, heavy-duty crimps, and crimp covers 
• TierraCast silver-plated large oval jump ring • High-quality 49-strand beading wire • Japanese seed beads (hidden inside the wooden rounds)
All the above metal components were made in the USA except the sterling rondelle spacers (made in Italy) and the sterling lobster clasp. The beading wire was made in the USA also, and the seed beads were made in Japan. The length of the necklace is 23 inches, including the cross, which is 1.5 inches long.

A mix of tribal and boho styles, this spiral-hand cross necklace would make a unique gift for anyone who loves and appreciates ancient cultures, especially those of the American Southwest. It would also be appropriate for someone religious, as the cross also has a Christian context, such as you see in Chimayo, New Mexico, where native styles and Christian motifs meet and integrate in a deeply moving and memorable way. A one-of-a-kind creation, this necklace was designed and handmade beaded by me with thought, care, and best wishes for its destined wearer. It comes wrapped and ready for gifting for someone special—perhaps you!

ABOUT THE SPIRAL HAND SYMBOL
A hand with a spiral in its palm is a symbol often found in the pictographs of ancient cultures in the southwest United States. It is commonly interpreted as a shaman's handprint and thought to represent power and protection, including healing. Because of these associations, the symbol is often referred to as a healing hand. In dream therapy, the open hand is a fear-dispelling symbol; also a boon-bestowing one, bearing good fortune.

ABOUT THE SPIRAL SYMBOL
The spiral is such a distinctive shape, with a dynamic quality that expresses movement and growth. The spiral can be seen in the form of immense cosmic galaxies as well as in the tiny whorls of a human fingerprint and the microscopic structure of DNA. We see spiraling shapes in certain seashells and plants as well. Since ancient times, humans have found symbolic meaning in spirals in and across a wide variety of cultures. Possible interpretations of spirals as symbols include growth, fertility, the journey through life, time and its passage, the journey beyond life, the sun, protection against evil, and infinity.

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