Silver satin, phothography, 2014

Silver hand iewlary, LMT, 2016

The power of

SILVERBy Seoin Choe

What is it about silver that draws people’s attention?

Silver had been associated with people for a long time. Silver had been valued as precious metal. People also thought silver had mysterious power. Silver is the only weapon that was effective to werewolves, witch, vampires and other mythological creatures. Silver also had been associated with empowerments. According a primary source, silver is “representative of moon energy and is the balance between black and white. It is the color of the Greek godess Artemis (Roman aspect: Diana). It is symbolic of purity, strength, clarity, focus, and the feminine energy. In alchemy, silver is one of the noble metals.”(Silver). Since long time ago, people had been associating silver as the symbol of a higher spirituality.

The extraction of silver started about 5000 years ago. “The precious metal was for the first time dug from the ground in 3000 BC in Anatolia (Turkey). The first veins were representing a valuable resource for civilizations born in the Near East and Ancient Greece. Silver is a soft and malleable metal. It is one of the first metal known and used. Its appellation comes from the Latin “argentum” that comes itself from the Greek “Argos”, which means “bright”. Alchemists called it “Metal of the Moon” or “Diane’s Metal “. In ancient times it was used as currency and as an ornamental metal, and among other things to make mirrors because it has highly reflective properties. A symbol of silver is the image of the Greek goddess Athena.”(Bijoux)

Athenian tetradrachm, Silver, Athens, 454-404BcwYo, rk

For thousands of years, silver has been widely used for making ornaments, utensils and even used as basis for monetary systems. The usage of the metal since the olden times is evident from the fact that the word “silver” is used in “Anglo-Saxon literature as siolfor and seolfor . In Germanic languages also, the metal silver is referred to as silbir and silabar. The symbol AG which is used for silver is taken from Latin language. The root for the word lies in Indo-European languages in which ‘arg’ refers to shining and white objects.” (Design& trends in India).

Silver wrinckles , photography ,2004

Silver also associated with wars. Silver led to opium war in the 19th century when Britain was unable to give its payments in silver in exchange of tea, silk and porcelain taken from China.

Opium war, Photography, unknown

The high temperature silver-lead cupellation technology was developed in the Americas by pre-Inca civilizations in AD 60–120. Because of the sophisticated technological methods to procure silver of the finest quality, only those with wealth could own silverwares.

A girl with silver accesories, photography, unknown

The value of silver helped various civilizations in Crete and Greece to flourish. During 1200 BC, Laurium mines of Greece became the main center for silver production.

Presco, Larium Mine of Greece, 1200 BC

It helped making many of the empires thrive. And it made silver a widely famous trading element on the spice routes of the Asiancontinent.

Following by the developements of technology and science, silver production had inclreaed enormously in worldwide scale. Nowadays, silver has got a lot of popularity due to the availability of a wide variety of designs in it. And silver plays a major symbolistic role in fashion industry.

Vogue Paris , April 2012 ,by David Sims

Alexander McQueen , 2016 Fall, readyto-wear

Alexander McQueen , 2014 spring, ready-to-wear

Alexander McQueen , Resort 2013 Collection

Fashion designer Alexander McQueen said “ I want to empower women. I want people to be afraid of the women I dress”. He uses a lot of silver in his fashion collections. He does not use gold, brass or any other metals but silver. He uses silver as the source empowerment in his creations.

Another fashion brand that uses silver exclusively is Chrome Hearts. Chrome Hearts’ jewelries are very charismatic and brawny. Chrome Hearts is also another example of the association of silver’s simbolistic role in fashion.

Japanese costomised wearable silver, Fangophilia, Taro Hanabusa, 2014

In Egyptian mythology, it was believed that the bones of the gods were made of silver, while their flesh was made of gold. Thus, associated with highter spirituality.

In the symbolism of Christianity, it embodies the divine wisdom.

Icon with Silver and oklad, Russian Hodegetria, 19th centruy

Silver bullets, photography

Silver is the only weapon that was effective to werewolves, witch, vampires and other mythological creatures.

Silver is representative of a strong and real power.

Silver throne of Queen I Wasa of Sweden, Stockholme, Mid 17th Century

Bibliography

Bourn, Jennifer, and About Jennifer BournCreative Director · Digital Strategist · WordPress Evangelist As founder of Bourn Creative, Jennifer is an award-winning designer who has been work-ing in the branding and design trenches since 1997. Today she consults on brand developm. “Meaning of The Color Silver |.” Bourn Creative, 3 June 2016, www.bourncreative.com/meaning-of-the-col-or-silver/.

“I Never Really Liked Silver Jewelry. But When I Saw These Designs? I Can’t Stop Myself From Running To A Shop Right Away!” Silver Jewelry – Designs & Trends in India, www.culturalindia.net/jewellery/types/silver-jewelry.html.

“The Symbolism of Silver.” Bijoux Personnalisés - CréEz Sur Jweel.com, www.jweel.com/en/blog/p/2014/the-symbolism-of-silver/.

Liquid silver, photography, 2016