Posted by Bowman Originals on Jul 23rd 2025
The Symbolism of Keys in Jewelry | Viking History & Modern Meaning
The Key: A Symbol of Power, Protection, and Possession
In the world of symbolic jewelry, few motifs hold as much quiet authority as the key. Simple in form, yet profound in meaning, a key is more than a tool—it is an emblem of trust, responsibility, independence, and love. Throughout history, the key has symbolized everything from ownership to access, from secrecy to sovereignty—and when worn as jewelry, it becomes a personal talisman of both control and care.
Viking Women and the Keys to the Household
Long before the key became a romantic gesture or fashionable charm, it was a symbol of practical and personal power. In Viking society, it was women—not men—who wore the keys.
Hung from their belts on decorative brooches or suspended from chains, these keys were a public statement: the woman who wore them was the keeper of the home, the holder of wealth, and the one entrusted with the security of property and family life. To wear a key was to embody authority and autonomy. It symbolized her place not only as a wife or mother but as a rightful owner and protector of the household’s assets.
In a culture that respected strength and sovereignty, Viking women wore their keys with pride.
The Evolution of the Key in Jewelry
As centuries passed, the key’s symbolism expanded. In the Victorian era, keys took on romantic meaning. Lovers exchanged key pendants with inscriptions such as “You hold the key to my heart,” blending the notions of emotional access and intimate trust.
Keys were also given to mark coming-of-age moments, like a girl’s 21st birthday, when she was believed to receive the “key to her own life.” The key evolved into a symbol of freedom, possibility, and new beginnings.
Keys in Jewelry Today
Today, a key pendant can be worn for many reasons—it can symbolize ownership, independence, mystery, or romance. It may represent a guarded truth, a cherished memory, or the unlocking of personal potential. When handcrafted, especially in sterling silver and 18k gold, the key transforms into a piece of wearable poetry—silent, strong, symbolic.
At Bowman Originals, our handmade key pendants pay homage to this rich lineage. From Viking resilience to modern elegance, each design carries with it the weight of history and the promise of meaning. Whether gifted to someone special or worn as a personal emblem, a key pendant reminds us of one truth:
To wear a key is to declare that something precious—be it a home, a heart, or a future—is yours to protect, to unlock, and to love.
The Key: A Symbol of Power, Protection, and Possession
In the world of symbolic jewelry, few motifs hold as much quiet authority as the key. Simple in form, yet profound in meaning, a key is more than a tool—it is an emblem of trust, responsibility, independence, and love. Throughout history, the key has symbolized everything from ownership to access, from secrecy to sovereignty—and when worn as jewelry, it becomes a personal talisman of both control and care.
Viking Women and the Keys to the Household
Long before the key became a romantic gesture or fashionable charm, it was a symbol of practical and personal power. In Viking society, it was women—not men—who wore the keys.
Hung from their belts on decorative brooches or suspended from chains, these keys were a public statement: the woman who wore them was the keeper of the home, the holder of wealth, and the one entrusted with the security of property and family life. To wear a key was to embody authority and autonomy. It symbolized her place not only as a wife or mother but as a rightful owner and protector of the household’s assets.
In a culture that respected strength and sovereignty, Viking women wore their keys with pride.
The Evolution of the Key in Jewelry
As centuries passed, the key’s symbolism expanded. In the Victorian era, keys took on romantic meaning. Lovers exchanged key pendants with inscriptions such as “You hold the key to my heart,” blending the notions of emotional access and intimate trust.
Keys were also given to mark coming-of-age moments, like a girl’s 21st birthday, when she was believed to receive the “key to her own life.” The key evolved into a symbol of freedom, possibility, and new beginnings. View our bold Sterling Silver Key Pendant
Keys in Jewelry Today
Today, a key pendant can be worn for many reasons—it can symbolize ownership, independence, mystery, or romance. It may represent a guarded truth, a cherished memory, or the unlocking of personal potential. When handcrafted, especially in sterling silver and 18k gold, the key transforms into a piece of wearable poetry—silent, strong, symbolic.
At Bowman Originals, our handmade key pendants pay homage to this rich lineage. From Viking resilience to modern elegance, each design carries with it the weight of history and the promise of meaning. Whether gifted to someone special or worn as a personal emblem, a key pendant reminds us of one truth:
To wear a key is to declare that something precious—be it a home, a heart, or a future—is yours to protect, to unlock, and to love. Layering Necklaces ideal for pendants