These wonderful pendants were thought to be accessories made to bring good fortune to their wearer. Ancient Romans believed that wearing trinkets like these disks would not only provide them with luck but also ward off the evil eye. The lion as a symbol within Roman culture was thought to represent strength, justice and ‘the majesty of the Roman people.’ The addition of the crescent is thought to represent the Roman god Sin, the moon god, and the star is thought to represent Venus, the Roman goddess of love.
For more information on animal symbolism in Roman art please see our blog post: Animal Symbolism in Roman Art
