While the gender signs were extremely popular during the 60s, along with peace signs and bellbottoms, the Mars and Venus signs have their roots all the way in antiquity. During this time, planets and gods were considered one and the same and religious rites often involved the use of metals. As a result, each heavenly body was associated with a metal, god and symbol. Thanks to these early origins the symbols have been in use since the Renaissance to denote elements in alchemy.
The Mars and Venus symbols only came to denote gender thanks to legendary biologist, Carolus Linnaeus. In 1751, Linnaeus appropriated the planet symbols to biology. In his notes he used the Venus symbol as shorthand for female and the Mars symbol as shorthand for male – most likely because the god of war sign, Mars, represented a male figure while the goddess of love sign, Venus, represented a female.
More than 260 years later, Linnaeus’ gendered symbols are still popularly used today. As the most iconic representative of man and woman, the Mars and Venus signs were the perfect addition to Jewlr’s range of symbolic charms.
Whether you are looking for a new addition to your own charm bracelet or a gift for another’s, you can browse the charms above and more at Jewlr.com/personalized-charms.
Did you know the Mars and Venus signs had such “heavenly” roots? Tell us below!