The cowrie shell has been important to many cultures and religions for thousands of years, it’s been used to adorn accessories, utilised as money and seen as a symbol of great wealth in society. It also represents goddess protection which is highly powerful and deeply connected to the strength and power of the ocean. It is said to ward off the evil eye and is worn as a talisman to protect the wearer.
It’s shape is likened to that of a pregnant belly, the way it swells, smooth and round, as well as mimicking the appearance of a yoni. Romans called the cowrie the matriculus, meaning little matrix or little womb. It symbolises womanhood and rebirth, the giver of life. It is worn as an amulet to protect fertility and birth as well a celebration of the power of femininity.
