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Amulet
(876 words)

The term amulet (Lat. amuletum) was borrowed in German (as Amulett) only in the 16th century from theoretical literature on magic in the neo-Platonic sciences (Platonism) as a numinous means of protection and healing in the form of pendants made of paper, stone, metal, bone etc. The desired effects depend on the costliness of the material, the shape, the special signs or the personal, experience-based connection with the object. They point to set of supersensory powers from different worldviews (World view), for instance astrological notions from Antiquity and the Renaissance (Astr…

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Brückner, Wolfgang, “Amulet”, in: Encyclopedia of Early Modern History Online, Editors of the English edition: Graeme Dunphy, Andrew Gow. Original German Edition: Enzyklopädie der Neuzeit. Im Auftrag des Kulturwissenschaftlichen Instituts (Essen) und in Verbindung mit den Fachherausgebern herausgegeben von Friedrich Jaeger. Copyright © J.B. Metzlersche Verlagsbuchhandlung und Carl Ernst Poeschel Verlag GmbH 2005–2012. Consulted online on 19 March 2024 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/2352-0272_emho_SIM_016807>
First published online: 2015
First print edition: 20160321



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