Pewter Mushroom Pendants! Mushrooms have appeared in jewelry history as symbols of good luck, folklore, and nature-inspired whimsy. Additionally, recent trends resurrect them as icons of 1970s nostalgia and wellness.
Fairy Connections: Mushrooms are traditionally seen as seats for pixies, umbrellas for fairies (Parasol Mushrooms), or, in the case of “fairy rings” of fungi, dancing spots for elves.
Witchcraft and Evil: Due to their sudden, overnight appearance, mushrooms were often linked to, or named after, the devil or witches. For example, some are called “Witches’ Butter,” “Devil’s Snuffbox,” and “Stinkhorns”.
Divine and Magical: Ancient Egyptians called them “sons of the gods” and prohibited commoners from eating them. Some species were believed to be created by lightning strikes.
The Christmas Connection: The red-and-white Amanita muscaria is thought to have inspired the story of flying reindeer and Santa Claus. Siberian shamans, similar to Santa, would consume these mushrooms and enter yurts through the roof. This practice mirrors the story of Santa coming down the chimney, especially when traveling by reindeer.
Folk Names: Puffballs are known by many colorful names, including “wolf breaking wind,” “ghosts’ makeup,” and “pixie stool”.
“Stoned Ape” Hypothesis: There is a theory that psilocybin (“magic”) mushrooms played a role in the rapid cognitive evolution of early humans.