The Cimaruta is an ancient folk italian amulet that combines various pagan and folkloric symbols associated with protection, health, and fertility.
These amulets were used in Italy between the late 18th century and the first thirty years of the 20th century, but it is believed that their origins are older and linked to pre-Christian cults of Etruscan or Italic origin. The Cimaruta was usually made of silver and was part of a popular goldsmith tradition typical of certain regions of southern Italy, particularly Campania, Abruzzo, Molise, and Calabria.
The amulet was worn mainly by women and children or placed to protect homes and cradles, and takes its name from the rue plant, whose shape the amulet resembles. Rue was thought to be beneficial against poisons, diseases, infertility, and evil eye.
The symbol recalls the shape of the plant, with three or five branches to which capsules containing seeds are attached and to the ends of which other magical symbols have been added. According to other interpretations, the Cimaruta refers to coral and pieces of it that were often worn as amulets of fertility and health for women and children. It is thought that each woman added the symbols she needed to her own Cimaruta.
Among the most common symbols are:
The moon, in one of its three phases, often depicted with a face, is thought to be a reference to the cult of Diana and Aradia and the practice of Italian witchcraft.
The key, a symbol linked to the cult of Hecate
The manufica, an apotropaic gesture typical of antiquity that refers to the generative power of the genital organs and the ability of this gesture to bring good luck by warding off bad luck.
Horn, or horned hand gesture, an ancient apotropaic symbol linked to the pagan cults of the horned god, fertility, and the moon
The sacred heart, linked to the Christian cult of votive offerings, is thought to be a symbol added only in more recent times.
Animals and plants often associated with esoteric meanings or pagan cults such as birds, roosters, frogs, fish, verbena or rue flowers.
The Cimaruta amulet bears a resemblance to the Portuguese amulet known as Cinco Saimão, so named because of the association of five amulets: a pentacle, a crescent moon with a human face, a manufica, a key, and a face of the Virgin Mary, often with her heart pierced by an arrow.
Today, the cimaruta is seen as a powerful talisman associated with Italian witchcraft or stregheria, a collection of ancient pagan apotropaic symbols that have been adopted over time by popular culture, with the addition of Christian elements, in order to protect women and children from the evil eye.
