THE BEETLE by SCARO
The sacred symbol of the beetle in the history of mankind is ancient and fascinating. Several peoples have attributed virtues to the beetle as well as various and powerful meanings.
For the Egyptians, the beetle meant fertility in all spheres of life, luck and protection. It was revered to such an extent that during embalming, a beetle was placed on the heart of the mummy to guide the deceased towards immortality…
Lucky charm beetle
For SCARO, the beetle is a good-luck charm. It symbolizes inner strength, with its shell serving as a protector and invoking courage. The insertion of genuine beetle elytra with iridescent highlights in SCARO’s jewellery adds a touch of real magic.
Caroline Arbour, jeweller and creator of SCARO, hopes that her creations will bring strength and happiness. As for a talisman, Caroline moulds her beetles so that each of them envelops beauty, courage and abundance for those who wear them.
History and symbolism
Jean-Christophe Bédos wrote this text for the preface to the brand’s 20th anniversary book. Here’s an excerpt, which explains the symbolism of and fascination with the beetle through the ages:
The “golden age” of the beetle, if we can put it that way, dates back to ancient Egypt, where the god Khepri, a symbol of good luck and perpetual rebirth, was represented by a man with the head of a scarab beetle pushing the solar disk to its zenith. A royal symbol and good-luck charm, the beetle even replaced the heart of the deceased in certain mummification rites.
Beyond its sacred status, this animal also has a more earthly and laborious dimension. Let’s not forget that the beetle is an insect that devotes its existence to pushing its ball, often larger than itself, with its hind legs. This strange behaviour won’t escape the notice of fans of Greek mythology, as it inevitably invokes the myth of Sisyphus, the brilliant, magnificent man condemned to roll a boulder to the top of a hill, see it roll back down to the bottom, and start again day after day for eternity. Therein lies a message for humankind, compelled to find meaning in its daily toil and the work it must constantly begin anew.
– Jean-Christophe Bédos, President and CEO, Maison Birks