{"product_id":"cowrie-shells-mix-crafting-set","title":"Cowrie shells mix, crafting set","description":"\u003cdiv data-offset-key=\"c97on-0-0\" data-editor=\"4ku0a\" data-block=\"true\" class=\"\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"_1mf _1mj\" data-offset-key=\"c97on-0-0\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;\" lang=\"EN-GB\"\u003eThe cowrie shell is well-known in cultural and spiritual traditions all over the world. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;\" lang=\"EN-GB\"\u003eAs an important currency, its usage can be dated back to approximately 3500 years ago in China. Nowadays a reference to this can still be found in Chinese language; the character “Bei” means both “money” and “cowrie shell”. The usage as a currency can be attributed to multiple factors; cowrie shells were quite rare to obtain and thus valuable, almost impossible to counterfeit, and lightweight and thus easy to carry along.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;\" lang=\"EN-GB\"\u003eWith the rise of international trading, the cowrie shell quickly found its way all over the world and became an international means of payment. For an idea of its value; In Africa one cowrie shell bought you a woman, and in Siberia one shell equalled the value of a sheep or three shells that of a young bull.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;\" lang=\"EN-GB\"\u003eSome of the scientific names of cowrie shells still remind us of those times, like ‘cypraea moneta’ or ‘monetaria moneta’. And by association, a familiar use that can nowadays still be found is to keep 3 cowrie shells in your wallet to attract financial prosperity.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;\" lang=\"EN-GB\"\u003eIn traditional shamanism, such as the lineage of Spirit of Wolf, the use of cowrie shells dates back to the times of the Silk Route. With the merchants, the cowrie shells came to Siberian regions. And since they quickly became a common currency, also a shaman sometimes was paid for his work with cowrie shells. In those days however, a shaman was completely provided for by the local community in regards to all his possible daily needs such as food and clothing. Therefore a shaman had actually no need to use the cowrie shells as a financial means and it became common to attach them to his clothing and\/or attributes, as a symbol for his status. And from there, they quickly also became common amulets, talismans and spirit houses. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;\" lang=\"EN-GB\"\u003eNowadays cowrie shells are still a very common sight on the clothing and attributes of traditional shamans. They can be sewn on both horizontally and vertically, representing the mouth or an eye of a spirit.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAlso in many other spiritual traditions all over the world, the cowrie shell can be found. Because of its resemblance to the female genitals for example, it is used in all kinds of ceremonial and ritual work surrounding the feminine, fertility, pregnancy and giving birth. And in Central Asia the cowrie shell has since long been a symbol for the mother goddess Umai in her aspect as a patroness for women and children.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;\" lang=\"EN-GB\"\u003eAlso more worldly usages can be seen. In the Netherlands for example they were traditionally used in different games and then had local names like ‘keutsjes’, ‘varkjes’ or ‘zeugjes’.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;\" lang=\"EN-GB\"\u003eThis set of cowrie shells here in our shop consists of a mix of different types. They all have a little hole in the top. These shells are meant to be used for crafting purposes and some of them have for example been used in jewelry before. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;\" lang=\"EN-GB\"\u003eThe shells vary between 11-19 millimeters in length and, as can be seen on the pictures, they vary a bit in quality. Some are slightly damaged (around the drill hole mostly). But it is quite a large set consisting of more than 100 pieces, so there are still plenty of shells to use in all kinds of crafting purposes. Total weight of the set is 43 grams.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;\" lang=\"EN-GB\"\u003eOnly one set available. You will receive all the shells that can be seen on the pictures.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Seawolf Shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57288767373643,"sku":null,"price":3.5,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0765\/7101\/7547\/files\/rn-image_picker_lib_temp_3a234752-6293-4ec3-8e2c-9d9dc715797d.jpg?v=1778666740","url":"https:\/\/seawolfshop.com\/products\/cowrie-shells-mix-crafting-set","provider":"Seawolf Shop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}