Love… the most powerful and mysterious force in the universe. It is a universal theme that transcends time and culture. The feeling of love be expressed in many ways – song, poem, picture – you name it. One of the most enduring ways is jewelry. Gothic and biker jewelry, in particular, offer a wide variety of symbols that represent love, romance, commitment, devotion, and passion. Intrigued? Read on if you're looking for a stunning love-themed gift for your partner.
Heart
Let's start with the most obvious symbol of love: the heart. The heart is the emotional and spiritual center of a person and the source of their affection. Besides love, the symbol can also signify life, vitality, courage, and loyalty.
In Gothic and biker jewelry, the heart is often combined with other symbols to take on a new meaning:
- A broken heart symbolizes loss, grief, or betrayal.
- A bleeding heart stands for suffering, sacrifice, or martyrdom.
- A flaming heart represents passion, desire, or intensity.
- A winged heart denotes freedom, transcendence, or spirituality.
- A skull heart conveys such ideas as death, rebirth, or transformation.
Ankh
The Ankh is an ancient Egyptian symbol composed of a cross with a loop at the top. Originally, the Egyptian cross had the meaning of eternal life. Over time, however, it expanded its significance to the union of opposites, such as male and female, heaven and earth, or life and death. When it comes to Gothic jewelry, Ankh becomes the symbol of eternal love and commitment. Ankh pendants or earrings are an excellent way to add a touch of ancient mysticism to your love-themed jewelry.
Cupid
Cupid has been known for millennia – in Ancient Rome, he was the god of love and lust. Cupid is a mischievous winged cherub who holds a bow and arrows. He shoots his arrows at unsuspecting people, and anyone who is hit falls in love with the first person they see. It goes without saying that the god of love stands for romance and attraction, but due to its mischievous nature, it can also symbolize playfulness and naughtiness. Cupid earrings and pendants are a fun way to show off your playful side and add a dash of whimsy to your look.
Claddagh Ring
The Claddagh ring is a traditional Irish jewelry piece that is given as a token of friendship or love. The ring has a distinct appearance: its band features two hands holding a heart with a crown above it. Such a design is not accidental: the hands represent friendship, the heart is love, and the crown is loyalty. Claddagh rings often feature the inscription Grá, Dilseacht, agus Cairdeas - Love, Loyalty, and Friendship.
The legend of the traditional Irish ring dates back to the 17th century. A fisherman named Richard Joyce from the village of Claddagh, located on the west coast of Ireland, left his homeland and went to work in the West Indies. Upon his return, Richard intended to marry his beloved Margaret. However, on the way to Claddagh, his ship was captured by Algerian pirates. Richard Joyce was taken captive and sold into slavery to a Moorish jeweler. The slave quickly mastered the craft of his master. Missing his fiancée, he created a ring in the form of two hands holding a heart under a crown. Eventually, Richard Joyce was freed from slavery. He returned home and presented the ring to his lady friend. He didn’t give up his craft, and soon his creations, including the Claddagh ring, became known far beyond the small fisherman village.
The cool thing about Claddagh rings is that you can wear them in different ways to indicate your relationship status:
- On the right hand with the heart facing outwards: single and looking for love.
- On the right hand with the heart facing inwards: in a relationship.
- On the left hand with the heart facing outwards: engaged.
- On the left hand with the heart facing inwards: married.
Couple Rings
Couple rings are a romantic symbol of love, commitment, and unity between two partners. They are also a way for lovers to show the world that they belong to each other and that their love is a force to be reckoned with. Otherwise known as matching rings, they have a similar design, material, or engraving, and are worn by both halves of a couple.
In Gothic and Biker styles, these rings can have various motifs that tell a couple's unique love story:
- Skull rings are a sought-after symbol of death, rebirth, or transformation. They as if say that the lovers will be together “until death do us part”. Skull matching rings are an excellent choice for couples who share a passion for rebellion and adventures.
- Cross rings are not only a symbol of faith and spirituality, but they also represent balance, harmony, and unity. Your love is protected by the highest powers – this is what you can read between the lines.
- Dragon rings are an enduring symbol of passion, creativity, or adventure. The dragon is a protector, and he will guard your love like a treasure.
Horseshoe
You might be thinking, "What does a horseshoe have to do with love?" Well, the horseshoe is actually a symbol of good luck and fortune, which are vital elements in a loving relationship. After all, who wouldn't want a little extra luck on their side when it comes to matters of the heart?
The horseshoe is a lucky charm that dates back to ancient times. You can wear it with the ends pointing up or down, which will add some nuance to its meaning. A horseshoe facing upward is supposed to catch and hold good luck. Conversely, a horseshoe that faces downward should let good luck flow out and surround the love nest. Additionally, it will protect lovers from misfortunes and increase fertility.
Rose
The rose is a classic imagery of love, passion, devotion, and admiration. Having been known for centuries as a love symbol, the flower is a beautiful representation of the delicate and fragrant nature of romance. However, besides exquisite petals, it has sharp thorns. They are the opposite of the heart-warming feeling. Just as thorns can hurt the skin, unrequited love or betrayal can hurt the soul. Thus, thorns stand for the torturous and painful aspect of love.
In gothic and biker jewelry, the rose is often portrayed as a thorny and dark flower. This adds an edgy and mysterious element to the symbol. For a wearer, this representation provides an opportunity to express their intense and passionate love in a unique and unconventional way. The color of the rose in jewelry is also a thing to consider:
- A black rose symbolizes mourning, sorrow, and loss.
- A red rose conveys love, desire, and intensity.
- A white rose stands for purity, innocence, and peace.
- A blue rose denotes mystery, fantasy, and impossibility.
Lotus
The lotus is a sacred symbol in many religions and spiritual traditions, such as Buddhism, Hinduism, and Egyptian mythology. Semantically, it is a depiction of such concepts as the awakening of the soul, connection to the divine, cycle of life, rebirth, and enlightenment. We have already revealed the meanings of flowers in jewelry, including lotus, you might want to check this post out to learn more.
When it comes to Gothic and Biker jewelry, the lotus is able to represent the idea of love that is pure and transcendent. It's love that can thrive even in the darkest of circumstances. After all, the flower grows in muddy waters but it stays pure and innocent, just like the most beautiful feeling in the world.
If you want to convey a sense of love with lotus jewelry, it’s important to pay attention to its color. A red lotus helps love bloom and teaches us to empathize. At the same time, it reveals the dark side of romantic relationships including unbridled passion, unattainable dreams, and secret desires.
So, if you want to manifest undying love for your partner, presenting them with a piece of jewelry featuring a lotus design will hit the spot.
Carp Koi
Native to Japan, carp koi fish is a popular motif in Japanese art and folklore. It shouldn’t come as a surprise because it has magnificent multi-colored scales with fine patterns. But those are not beautiful scales that make the fish a love symbol. These fish are ultimate athletes and go-getters. The carp koi swims upstream to reach its mate, even if it means swimming against strong currents. This tenacity and devotion make it the perfect symbol for couples who are willing to fight for their love, no matter what obstacles come their way.
A legend has it, carp koi who get to reach the Dragon Gates up the Yellow River can turn into dragons. Thus, their determination and perseverance reward them with the power of transformation. If you work hard to build your love, it will transform your life and the life of your partner – this is the meaning of carp koi in jewelry.
By the way, carp koi, along with the skull, is a popular motif in biker wedding rings. Two beautiful fish endowed with no less beautiful meaning are just what the doctor ordered for a perfect token of love. You can also give a carp koi ring or pendant as a symbol of friendship that gets stronger despite hardship and challenges.
Kokopelli
We have already mentioned Cupid, the god of love in Ancient Rome. Let’s stay in the ancient world but this time, teleport to North America. This is where you could hear stories about the God of Harvest and Plenty, Kokopelli. Although amorous affairs are not his direct responsibility, he is able to affect such aspects of a love relationship as fertility, joy, adventure, and creativity.
The Native American deity is depicted as a humpbacked flute player. He is a trickster figure who brings laughter, happiness, and good fortune to those who encounter him. He is also a storyteller who shares his wisdom and knowledge through his songs. Kokopelli is said to have the power to impregnate women with his flute playing.
Let Kokopelli be a patron of your couple, and he’ll encourage you to embrace your playful and spontaneous nature as well as give you plenty of joyful moments together. Kokopelli jewelry is an original representation of the fun and adventurous side of love, especially when your couple shares a playful spirit, artistic flair, or wanderlust.
Bind Runes
The runic alphabet has multiple symbols, and each rune features a specific meaning. Oftentimes, two or more runes can merge together to form a single symbol – these are the so-called bind runes. Bind runes have a more powerful and specific meaning than individual runes.
To convey the sense of love, you can, for example, combine the Ehwaz rune, which represents partnership and harmony, with the Sowilo rune standing for energy and power. The resulting bind rune will speak of a strong and energetic partnership. Jewelry featuring this bind rune is a great choice for couples seeking to strengthen their relationship or express their love for each other. Along with this, if you add the Mannaz rune (humanity and social order) to the Ehwaz, they will signify cooperation and trust between partners.
You can also create a bind rune by blending the Gebo and Wunjo runes. The former embodies gift and generosity while the latter has the meaning of joy and happiness. This bind rune symbolizes the exchange of gifts and the peace and harmony that ensue.
In our Futhark Runes Hammer Pendant, we incorporated the combination of Thurisaz (the Giant rune representing the god Thor) and Sowilo. Together, they are the epitome of the effort each of us must make in a relationship to give and receive the gift of love.