Rattle Amulet

Item number 807/6 from the MOA: University of British Columbia.

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Description

Brass coloured fish curled in a circle. The tail fin is near bottom, the body is decorated with carved scales, and there are sharp scalloped edges around the perimeter of the piece. The object is a rattle inside.

History Of Use

Amulets of this type used to be sewed to special hats worn by baby boys and small male children. These hats often were given to the babies by their maternal grandmothers. They were worn by the boys on special occasions such as festivals. The amulets had many forms: deities, animals, birds, fish, and Chinese characters, normally with auspicious meanings. They had generally gone out of use by the time of collection (1981) and were sold as antiques.

Narrative

This amulet was purchased as an antique in a shop in Vancouver’s Chinatown.

Iconographic Meaning

The amulets were both auspicious and protective. This amulet represents a fish, which is a symbol of abundance, and appears to have the character meaning “long life” on its back”. The fact that it is a rattle is believed to be protective, as sounds frighten away malicious influences.