peace symbol

Quetzalcoatl, the "feathered serpent" was a revered deity in Mesoamerican myth and legend. Mariana Llanes depicts him as a sterling silver dragon that take its own tail in his mouth. "When one becomes many, they awaken the dragon, and duality emerges — light and darkness, what is mine, yours and belonging to others," ths artist says. "Our differences, survival and the struggles for power.

"By biting its tail, the dragon places all its energy toward understanding who we are and why we're here. It speaks of overcoming one's own ego, of humility.

"For me, the open hands are a beautiful representation of human collabouration. They symbolize friendship, honesty, respect, solidarity and willingness.

"Black crosses flank the hands along with garnet droplets that represent the death and suffering caused by wars. This is in honour of everyone who has died because of war. And it's a prayer that their lives and their blood be seeds that germinate in green fields of conscience, learning, and respect for life and for our differences.

"The spirals speak of life's cyclical nature and of resilience. Of our capacity to learn and change our reality, converting painful experiences into strength and wisdom.

"The feather pendants are symbols of the birds that collect our prayers around the world — for peace, for justice, for equality and the rights of everyone. They carry our voices in their song and they carry our prayers for peace."

The pendant is worn on a beaded gemstone strand of amethyst, iolite, citrine, peridot, carnelian and garnet.

Framed within a corona of flower petals, the mighty elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha, known as "remover of obstacles," is depicted in the pendant of this necklace from India. Arunima presents this necklace, crafted from sterling silver with a combination of finishes. Ganesha is depicted with weapons in two of his hands and a symbol of peace and his favorite dessert in his others.

Exquisite details crafted with advanced metalworking techniques create a distinguished piece of art exuding a celestial vibe. Mexican artisan Eduardo Villegas Reyes uses sterling silver to create a glorious pendant necklace whose main elements compose a floral scene adorned with little doves, symbols of beauty and peace. Accented with an oxidized finish, the design is also crowned with glass beads in red and blue hues.

Inspired by the ideologies of people like Albert Einstein and Martin Luther King, Jr., Ghanaian artisan Akwele Suma hand-crafts a lovely beaded pendant necklace recreating nature, animals and humans living together in harmony as a symbol of justice and peace. A collection of lovely charms depicting people, trees, fish, elephants, birds, houses, the globe and a pendant of the scales of justice are handmade from recycled cardboard, detailed with ink, knotted onto a silk cord and topped with sese wood beads.

Symbol of patience and wisdom, a chelonian turtle centers this fascinating necklace by Nyoman Rena. It is crafted by hand of sterling silver with elaborate detail, featuring a reconstituted turquoise shell to resemble the green hue that makes Chelonia turtles unique.

.925 Sterling silver