Talisman

A talisman (from the Arabic word طلسم tilasm, and this derivative of the Greek word teleō (τελέω), which meant &# 34;consecrated' and "complete') is an object, usually a precious or semi-precious stone or gold or silver, sometimes with some special shape or figure or inscription, to which superstition attributes an apotropaic effect or some other type of powers. This last word, Teleo, referred to any object or idea that completed another and turned it into a whole, a complete body or thought.

In many occasions amulets and talismans are confused; however, while the amulet is an item with inherent magical properties, the talisman is said to be charged with magical powers by the person who created it. The act of "consecration" of a talisman is that its owner gave the talisman its due magical properties. In fact, the talisman is always created for a specific reason, while an amulet was used in a general way, for purposes such as attracting good luck or warding off evil.

However, it does not have to have a mineral origin: the rabbit's foot or the four-leaf clover are also considered talismans, and their origin is completely different. The making of the talisman must be extremely careful, in order to thus represent as accurately as possible the harmony between the universal forces; because the more exact the symbolism, it is easier to attract strength and luck.