iWell Guard

Protective Means: An Overview

By · last reviewed on

Across all cultures, people have developed means to protect themselves from harmful supernatural influences: substances and objects, painted or carved symbols, and recurring ritual practices. iWell Guard collects these protective traditions and places them in the context of religious studies. This page provides an overview of the documented protective means.

Contents of this page

The iWell Guard: the simplest and most effective protective means

iWell Guard Front Glow

Traditional protective means usually work in a targeted way: a particular symbol against the evil eye, a particular herb against nocturnal beings. The iWell Guard condenses the principle of protection into a single pendant: 41 layers of fine gold 999, platinum, silver and silicon, manufactured in Ruhla, Thuringia. It requires no activation: by design it is permanently active, bound to no person, and effective within a radius of around 50 meters, even without being worn. A single object, always with you: that makes it the simplest and at the same time most effective protective means.

Buy the protective pendant  The protective pendant in detail

Protective Substances & Objects

Among the oldest protective means are tangible things: metals such as silver and iron, herbs such as mugwort and juniper, consecrated substances such as holy water and incense, as well as worn objects such as amulets and talismans. Their effect is traditionally attributed to the material itself, its origin, or its ritual consecration.

Amulet
Amulet
→ View
Bagua Mirror: the Chinese Protective Mirror
Bagua Mirror: the Chinese Protective Mirror
→ View
Banishing Formula and Banishing Ritual
Banishing Formula and Banishing Ritual
→ View
Bells and Chimes as Noise-Making Protection
Bells and Chimes as Noise-Making Protection
→ View
Bulla: the Roman Protective Amulet for Children
Bulla: the Roman Protective Amulet for Children
→ View
Calling on the Guardian Angel
Calling on the Guardian Angel
→ View
Censing and Purification
Censing and Purification
→ View
Charming (verbal healing rite)
Charming
→ View
Cross and Crucifix: the Christian Protective Sign
Cross and Crucifix: the Christian Protective Sign
→ View
Drudenfuss and Pentagram
Drudenfuss and Pentagram
→ View
Eye of Horus – the Wedjat as an Egyptian protective symbol
Eye of Horus
→ View
Fascinum: the Roman protective amulet against the evil eye
Fascinum: the Roman protective amulet against the evil eye
→ View
Frankincense
Frankincense
→ View
Fu Talisman: the Daoist paper talisman
Fu Talisman: the Daoist paper talisman
→ View
Garlic as Protection
Garlic as Protection
→ View
Gorgoneion: the Head of Medusa as a Protective Sign
Gorgoneion: the Head of Medusa as a Protective Sign
→ View
Hamsa
Hamsa
→ View
Holy Water
Holy Water
→ View
Home Protection and Threshold Ritual
Home Protection and Threshold Ritual
→ View
Horseshoe: the good-luck and protective symbol above the door
Horseshoe: the good-luck and protective symbol above the door
→ View
Iron and Cold Iron
Iron and Cold Iron
→ View
Juniper
Juniper
→ View
Kabbalistic Amulet: the Jewish protective amulet
Kabbalistic Amulet: the Jewish protective amulet
→ View
Knot Amulet
Knot Amulet
→ View
Magical Protective Signs
Magical Protective Signs
→ View
Mezuzah
Mezuzah
→ View
Mirrors as a Means of Defense: The Principle of Reflection
Mirrors as a Means of Defense: The Principle of Reflection
→ View
Mugwort
Mugwort
→ View
Nazar Boncuğu: The Blue Protective Eye Against the Evil Eye
Nazar Boncuğu: The Blue Protective Eye Against the Evil Eye
→ View
Ofuda: the Japanese shrine talisman for the home altar
Ofuda: the Japanese shrine talisman for the home altar
→ View
Omamori: the Japanese protective pouch
Omamori: the Japanese protective pouch
→ View
Palo Santo
Palo Santo
→ View
Pazuzu Amulet – Mesopotamian protection against Lamashtu
Pazuzu Amulet
→ View
Peach Wood: the demon-averting wood of China
Peach Wood: the demon-averting wood of China
→ View
Prayers as Protection
Prayers as Protection
→ View
Protective Bells and the Sound of Bells
Protective Bells and the Sound of Bells
→ View
Protective Candle
Protective Candle
→ View
Protective Fire and Threshold Light
Protective Fire and Threshold Light
→ View
Protective Herbs
Protective Herbs
→ View
Protective Pouches and Breverl
Protective Pouches and Breverl
→ View
Protective Runes: Runes as Germanic Protective Signs
Protective Runes: Runes as Germanic Protective Signs
→ View
Protective Stones
Protective Stones
→ View
Red Thread: the protective band against the evil eye
Red Thread: the protective band against the evil eye
→ View
Rowan: Protective Tree and Wood of Folk Magic
Rowan: Protective Tree and Wood of Folk Magic
→ View
Rudraksha: the Sacred Bead of Shiva
Rudraksha: the Sacred Bead of Shiva
→ View
Sage (Smudging)
Sage
→ View
Salt as Protection
Salt as Protection
→ View
Scarab: the Egyptian Amulet of Rebirth
Scarab: the Egyptian Amulet of Rebirth
→ View
St. John's Wort
St. John's Wort
→ View
Star of David: the Magen David as a sign of protection
Star of David: the Magen David as a sign of protection
→ View
Talisman
Talisman
→ View
Taʿwīz: the Islamic Protective Amulet
Taʿwīz: the Islamic Protective Amulet
→ View
The Cross as a Protective Sign
The Cross as a Protective Sign
→ View
The Protective Circle as a Boundary Against Harm
The Protective Circle as a Boundary Against Harm
→ View
The Thunder Sign: the Slavic Mark Against Lightning
The Thunder Sign: the Slavic Mark Against Lightning
→ View
Threshold Protection: Door, Window and House Entrance
Threshold Protection: Door, Window and House Entrance
→ View
Wind Horse: the Lungta of the Tibetan Prayer Flags
Wind Horse: the Lungta of the Tibetan Prayer Flags
→ View
Wormwood
Wormwood
→ View

Protective Symbols

Protective symbols work through the sign itself: painted, carved or worn, they are meant to ward off or bind harmful influences. From the pentagram to the drude’s foot to the nazar against the evil eye, they share the idea that a particular shape or figure carries an apotropaic power.

Abracadabra Triangle: the diminishing protective amulet
Abracadabra Triangle: the diminishing protective amulet
→ View
Adinkra: the symbols of the Akan from Ghana
Adinkra: the symbols of the Akan from Ghana
→ View
Ægishjálmur: the Helm of Awe
Ægishjálmur: the Helm of Awe
→ View
Amulet, Talisman and Protective Sign: Basics
Amulet, Talisman and Protective Sign: Basics
→ View
Amulets and Protective Objects
Amulets and Protective Objects
→ View
Angelica
Angelica
→ View
Ankh: the Egyptian Sign of Life as a Protective Symbol
Ankh: the Egyptian Sign of Life as a Protective Symbol
→ View
Apkallu: the protective figures of Mesopotamian houses
Apkallu: the protective figures of Mesopotamian houses
→ View
Apotropaic Incised Marks: Protective Marks on Buildings
Apotropaic Incised Marks: Protective Marks on Buildings
→ View
Ashtamangala: the eight auspicious symbols
Ashtamangala: the eight auspicious symbols
→ View
Awen: the sign of inspiration
Awen: the sign of inspiration
→ View
Ayat al-Kursi: the Throne Verse as a text of protection
Ayat al-Kursi: the Throne Verse as a text of protection
→ View
Azabache: the black jet fist against the evil eye
Azabache: the black jet fist against the evil eye
→ View
Bes Amulet: the Egyptian Protective God of Home and Childbirth
Bes Amulet: the Egyptian Protective God of Home and Childbirth
→ View
Black Thread: the protective band against the evil eye
Black Thread: the protective band against the evil eye
→ View
Bracteate: the golden protective medallion of the Migration Period
Bracteate: the golden protective medallion of the Migration Period
→ View
Brigid's Cross: the woven protective cross of Ireland
Brigid's Cross: the woven protective cross of Ireland
→ View
Buduh: the magic square of Islam
Buduh: the magic square of Islam
→ View
Bujeok: The Korean Protective Talisman
Bujeok: The Korean Protective Talisman
→ View
Celtic Cross: High Cross and Symbol of Protection
Celtic Cross: High Cross and Symbol of Protection
→ View
Chai: the Hebrew sign for life
Chai: the Hebrew sign for life
→ View
Chakana: the Andean Cross of the Inca
Chakana: the Andean Cross of the Inca
→ View
Christian Protective Medals – Benedict, Mary, Christopher
Christian Protective Medals
→ View
Churinga: Sacred Object of the Aboriginal Peoples of Australia
Churinga: Sacred Object of the Aboriginal Peoples of Australia
→ View
Cimaruta: the Neapolitan rue-sprig amulet
Cimaruta: the Neapolitan rue-sprig amulet
→ View
Cippus of Horus: the Egyptian Protective and Healing Stele
Cippus of Horus: the Egyptian Protective and Healing Stele
→ View
Coin Amulet: the Chinese lucky coin
Coin Amulet: the Chinese lucky coin
→ View
Coin Sword: the Daoist warding object made of bronze coins
Coin Sword: the Daoist warding object made of bronze coins
→ View
Cornicello: the Italian horn amulet
Cornicello: the Italian horn amulet
→ View
Cylinder Seal: Seal and Amulet of the Ancient Near East
Cylinder Seal: Seal and Amulet of the Ancient Near East
→ View
Daruma: the Japanese wish and protection doll
Daruma: the Japanese wish and protection doll
→ View
Dharmachakra: the Wheel of the Buddhist Teaching
Dharmachakra: the Wheel of the Buddhist Teaching
→ View
Djed Pillar: the Egyptian Sign of Stability
Djed Pillar: the Egyptian Sign of Stability
→ View
Dokkaebi Tile: the demon-averting face on Korean roofs
Dokkaebi Tile: the demon-averting face on Korean roofs
→ View
Dreamcatcher: Protective Object of the Ojibwe
Dreamcatcher: Protective Object of the Ojibwe
→ View
Dzi beads: the agate beads of Tibet
Dzi beads: the agate beads of Tibet
→ View
Eleggua: the Protective Head at the House Entrance
Eleggua: the Protective Head at the House Entrance
→ View
Endless Knot: The Buddhist Symbol of Good Fortune
Endless Knot: The Buddhist Symbol of Good Fortune
→ View
Evil Eye
Evil Eye
→ View
Faravahar: the Symbol of Zoroastrianism
Faravahar: the Symbol of Zoroastrianism
→ View
Fleabane
Fleabane
→ View
Four-leaf Clover: Good-luck and Protective Sign
Four-leaf Clover: Good-luck and Protective Sign
→ View
Fumitory
Fumitory
→ View
Gau: the Tibetan Amulet Capsule
Gau: the Tibetan Amulet Capsule
→ View
God's Eye (Ojo de Dios) of Mexico's Huichol
God's Eye
→ View
Gris-gris: the worn protective pouch
Gris-gris: the worn protective pouch
→ View
Haetae: the Korean Guardian Being Against Fire and Calamity
Haetae: the Korean Guardian Being Against Fire and Calamity
→ View
Hagstone: the Holed Protective Stone of Folk Magic
Hagstone: the Holed Protective Stone of Folk Magic
→ View
Hamaya: the demon-breaking arrow for the Japanese New Year
Hamaya: the demon-breaking arrow for the Japanese New Year
→ View
Hand of God: the Slavic protective sign Ręka Boga
Hand of God: the Slavic protective sign Ręka Boga
→ View
Hanuman-Kavach: the protective pendant and the protective hymn of Hanuman
Hanuman-Kavach: the protective pendant and the protective hymn of Hanuman
→ View
Hei Matau: Fish-Hook Pendant of the Māori
Hei Matau: Fish-Hook Pendant of the Māori
→ View
Hei-tiki: the Pendant of the Maori
Hei-tiki: the Pendant of the Maori
→ View
Hex Signs: painted star rosettes of the Pennsylvania Dutch
Hex Signs: painted star rosettes of the Pennsylvania Dutch
→ View
Himmelsbrief: Worn Protective Letter of Folk Piety
Himmelsbrief: Worn Protective Letter of Folk Piety
→ View
Kolowrat: the Slavic Sun Wheel
Kolowrat: the Slavic Sun Wheel
→ View
Kushti: the sacred girdle of the Zoroastrians
Kushti: the sacred girdle of the Zoroastrians
→ View
Lamashtu Plaque: Protective Tablet against the Childbed Demon
Lamashtu Plaque: Protective Tablet against the Childbed Demon
→ View
Lamassu: the Winged Gate Guardian of Mesopotamia
Lamassu: the Winged Gate Guardian of Mesopotamia
→ View
Lilith Amulet: protection in the Jewish childbed
Lilith Amulet: protection in the Jewish childbed
→ View
Lucky Charms: Meaning, Origin and Overview
Lucky Charms: Meaning, Origin and Overview
→ View
Lunula: the Roman crescent amulet of girls
Lunula: the Roman crescent amulet of girls
→ View
Magic Squares as Protective Signs: Number Grids
Magic Squares as Protective Signs: Number Grids
→ View
Mala: the Buddhist prayer-bead string of 108 beads
Mala: the Buddhist prayer-bead string of 108 beads
→ View
Mandrake: Protective and Lucky Root of Folk Magic
Mandrake: Protective and Lucky Root of Folk Magic
→ View
Maneki-neko: the Japanese beckoning lucky cat
Maneki-neko: the Japanese beckoning lucky cat
→ View
Mano cornuta: the horned hand against the evil eye
Mano cornuta: the horned hand against the evil eye
→ View
Mano fico: the fig hand as a protective amulet
Mano fico: the fig hand as a protective amulet
→ View
Mashallah: the protective formula against the evil eye
Mashallah: the protective formula against the evil eye
→ View
Medicine Bag of the Plains Peoples of North America
Medicine Bag of the Plains Peoples of North America
→ View
Menat: the Egyptian Neck Amulet of Hathor
Menat: the Egyptian Neck Amulet of Hathor
→ View
Menshen: the Chinese door gods
Menshen: the Chinese door gods
→ View
Milagros: Votive Plaques of Folk Piety
Milagros: Votive Plaques of Folk Piety
→ View
Mistletoe
Mistletoe
→ View
Mojo Bag: the Protective Pouch of the Hoodoo Tradition
Mojo Bag: the Protective Pouch of the Hoodoo Tradition
→ View
Mullein
Mullein
→ View
Mullu: sacred Spondylus shell of the Andes
Mullu: sacred Spondylus shell of the Andes
→ View
Myrrh
Myrrh
→ View
Nazar Battu: the Indian apotropaic grimace
Nazar Battu: the Indian apotropaic grimace
→ View
Nkisi: the power figure of the Kongo region
Nkisi: the power figure of the Kongo region
→ View
Obereg: the Slavic Collective Term for Protective Amulets
Obereg: the Slavic Collective Term for Protective Amulets
→ View
Om: the sacred sign as protection and blessing
Om: the sacred sign as protection and blessing
→ View
Ongon: the material dwelling of the protective spirit
Ongon: the material dwelling of the protective spirit
→ View
Oregano
Oregano
→ View
Parsley
Parsley
→ View
Pentagram: The Five-Pointed Star as a Protective Sign
Pentagram: The Five-Pointed Star as a Protective Sign
→ View
Phurba: the three-sided ritual dagger of Tibet
Phurba: the three-sided ritual dagger of Tibet
→ View
Pixiu: the winged mythical creature as a protective figure
Pixiu: the winged mythical creature as a protective figure
→ View
Protection Compass
Protection Compass
→ View
Protection knot: the blessed cord of Tibet
Protection knot: the blessed cord of Tibet
→ View
Protective Colors: Blue, Red and Black as Defense
Protective Colors: Blue, Red and Black as Defense
→ View
Protective Gestures: Fig, Horns Gesture, Warding Hand
Protective Gestures: Fig, Horns Gesture, Warding Hand
→ View
Protective Rituals and Invocation
Protective Rituals and Invocation
→ View
Protective Substances and Plants
Protective Substances and Plants
→ View
Protective Symbols
Protective Symbols
→ View
Protective Tattoo: Permanent Signs in the Skin
Protective Tattoo: Permanent Signs in the Skin
→ View
Rauhnächte – the Twelve Nights
Rauhnächte
→ View
Salt and Iron as Apotropaic Substances
Salt and Iron as Apotropaic Substances
→ View
Sami Drum: Shaman Drum from Sápmi
Sami Drum: Shaman Drum from Sápmi
→ View
SATOR square: the magical letter square
SATOR square: the magical letter square
→ View
Seal of Solomon: the sign over the spirits
Seal of Solomon: the sign over the spirits
→ View
Shimenawa: the sacred rice-straw rope of Shinto
Shimenawa: the sacred rice-straw rope of Shinto
→ View
Shisa: the lion-like roof guardians of Okinawa
Shisa: the lion-like roof guardians of Okinawa
→ View
Silver as Protection
Silver as Protection
→ View
Sound and Light for Warding Off
Sound and Light for Warding Off
→ View
Sri Yantra: the geometric worship diagram of Hinduism
Sri Yantra: the geometric worship diagram of Hinduism
→ View
Swastika: the ancient sign of good fortune and protection in Hinduism
Swastika: the ancient sign of good fortune and protection in Hinduism
→ View
The Celtic knot: the endless knot pattern
The Celtic knot: the endless knot pattern
→ View
The Inuit Amulet Belt: Protection from the Arctic
The Inuit Amulet Belt: Protection from the Arctic
→ View
The Isis Knot (Tyet): the Tyet Amulet of the Goddess Isis
The Isis Knot
→ View
The Medicine Wheel: Stone Circle of the Four Directions
The Medicine Wheel: Stone Circle of the Four Directions
→ View
The Shiviti Plaque: the Jewish Devotional and Protective Image
The Shiviti Plaque: the Jewish Devotional and Protective Image
→ View
The Slavic Lunula: the crescent-moon-shaped amulet
The Slavic Lunula: the crescent-moon-shaped amulet
→ View
Thor's Hammer – Mjölnir as a Germanic Protective Symbol
Thor's Hammer
→ View
Tilaka: the forehead mark of Hinduism
Tilaka: the forehead mark of Hinduism
→ View
Toli: the Bronze Shaman's Mirror of Siberia
Toli: the Bronze Shaman's Mirror of Siberia
→ View
Triquetra: the Celtic trinity knot
Triquetra: the Celtic trinity knot
→ View
Trishula: the trident of Shiva
Trishula: the trident of Shiva
→ View
Triskele: the triple spiral sign
Triskele: the triple spiral sign
→ View
Troll Cross: The Iron Protective Amulet Against Trolls
Troll Cross: The Iron Protective Amulet Against Trolls
→ View
Vajra: Thunderbolt and Diamond in Buddhism
Vajra: Thunderbolt and Diamond in Buddhism
→ View
Valknut: the Norse knot of the slain
Valknut: the Norse knot of the slain
→ View
Vegvísir: the Icelandic signpost as a protective sign
Vegvísir: the Icelandic signpost as a protective sign
→ View
Vervain
Vervain
→ View
Veve: the Ritual Signs of Vodou
Veve: the Ritual Signs of Vodou
→ View
Witch Bottle: A Buried Vessel Against Harmful Magic
Witch Bottle: A Buried Vessel Against Harmful Magic
→ View
Yarrow
Yarrow
→ View
Zulfiqar: the Sword of Ali as a Sign of Protection
Zulfiqar: the Sword of Ali as a Sign of Protection
→ View

Protective Practices

Not every protective means is an object: many traditions know recurring actions, such as smoke cleansing, charm-speaking, threshold and house protection rituals, or the invocation of protective powers. Such practices protect through their performance, often at particular places or at particular times.

Related Protective Items

Seal of Solomon: the sign over the spirits
Seal of Solomon: the sign over the spirits

The Seal of Solomon is a protective sign with which, according to legend, King Solomon commanded ...

Cross and Crucifix: the Christian Protective Sign
Cross and Crucifix: the Christian Protective Sign

The empty cross recalls Christ's resurrection, while the crucifix depicts his sacrifice; both fun...

The Inuit Amulet Belt: Protection from the Arctic
The Inuit Amulet Belt: Protection from the Arctic

The Inuit amulet belt with sewn-on protective amulets: origin, form and religious meaning in the ...

Abracadabra Triangle: the diminishing protective amulet
Abracadabra Triangle: the diminishing protective amulet

The Abracadabra triangle is an ancient letter amulet against fever. Its origin, form, and working...

Mugwort
Mugwort

In folk tradition mugwort serves as travel protection, an incense herb and a threshold guard. Ori...

Holy Water
Holy Water

Holy water as a means of protection: the tradition of blessed water, sprinkling and purification ...

↑