How Cufflink Designs are Breathing New Life Into Ancient Symbols

Ancient symbols are mysterious, decorative and meaningful, making them the perfect source for modern cufflink designs.

Of course, the design of your cufflinks doesn’t have to have a meaning beyond how good they look, but because there is meaning to these symbols, they have added value as both wearable designs and talking points.

Why Choose Ancient Symbols for Cufflink Designs?

Cufflinks make for subtle statement pieces. Even the boldest of designs sits neatly on your shirt cuff, emerging neatly from the jacket you’re wearing.

It is this subtlety that makes cufflinks so effective as style accessories. They are not the main story, but they work to enhance the overall style narrative you’ve created.

Designer cufflinks should therefore be noticeable, but not to the extent that they overshadow the complete image you present.

What makes a cufflink design conspicuous in this way? It needs to look good, obviously, but there is the added dimension of mystery that can create a compelling looking cufflink. 

Ancient symbols serve this purpose perfectly. They look striking, but invite questions about what they signify.

What are the Origins of Ancient Symbols?

Symbols are integral to human communication, and have been since the dawn of mankind. 

They are a means of expression, and help preserve vital information. 

They can have cultural or spiritual origins, or represent a field of work or an occupation. Often, they have been used to identify individuals, or places, as belonging to a specific group or following a set of beliefs.

Because of their long history, some ancient symbols have a powerful resonance today, while others have meanings that are harder to immediately discern.

But both these factors contribute to their effectiveness as the basis of cufflink designs:

  • A familiar symbol can look particularly striking in an unexpected context, when you wear it on your sleeve
  • An unfamiliar symbol worn as a cufflink design is intriguing, and people want to know what it represents or signifies.

Ancient Symbols as Personal Style Statements

The Hand of Hamsa is an ancient symbol with its origins in the Middle East. Originally worn as a talisman, the hand has an eye in its palm, and offers protection against the evil eye. It is supposed to grant the wearer success, good health and a harmonised life. This is one of those symbols that is immediately recognisable, but not always understood. This makes it perfect as an intriguing, contemporary cufflink design.

The symbol of serpents entwined vertically around a winged staff is known as the Rod of Caduceus, and represents the god Greek god Hermes. Hermes was the messenger of the gods, and was seen as a protector of trade, travel and invention. In Greek mythology, Hermes saw two snakes fighting and intervened to stop them. As peace is necessary for trade, so Hermes has come to represent the interests of commerce. The wings on the symbol represent his legendary speed.

SPQR is an ancient abbreviation that refers to the Senate of Rome and the People, and originally appeared on Roman currency. These initials also were displayed on standards carried into battle by the empire’s legions. Therefore, as an ancient symbol worn in a contemporary setting, it evokes values of discipline and innovative organisation.

Nautical symbols have an established potency and significance, because travel by sea has been such a key part of the development of the ancient world. The Ship’s Anchor has meaning beyond the what it represents for sailors and mariners. It is a symbol of hope and of fresh starts, when we set sail on new voyages in our lives.

Ancient Symbols, Contemporary Resonance

Wearing ancient symbols as accessories adds resonance to your look. Our unique cufflink designs bring these symbols into the modern age, using their enduring power to heighten your personal style.

Browse our cufflink collections, or contact us for more details.