From Dhanteras to Diwali: The Luck of Silver Jewellery.

As the crisp, golden light of late autumn marks the end of the shards, Indian homes prepare to greet one of the most cherished and auspicious times of the year, the beautiful festive season of Dhanteras to Diwali. This time of year, the ageless tradition of acquiring and gifting some sort of silver; and making big purchases- be it bright and shiny jewellery to wear, or pure silver coinage to place on your puja , a new car or financial beginnings-  is central. Why silver? The centuries-old rituals and traditions associated with silver evoke a love for beauty and a deep belief in the luck, wealth, and safety that silver may afford.

Dhanteras: The Auspicious Call of Silver

Dhanteras (or Dhanatrayodashi) is the first day in the 5 day celebration of Diwali. Dhanteras takes place on the thirteenth lunar day of Krishna Paksha in the month of Ashwin. A combination of the terms "wealth" (Dhan) and "thirteen" (Teras), Dhanteras is an omen of wealth and health. In the Hindu tradition, this day marks the coming of Lord Dhanvantari, the divine physician, bringing with him a kalash of the nectar of immortality from the oceans of the universe.

Dhanteras celebrates buying silver - not just as a custom - but as a formal invitation of wealth and auspiciousness to your home. It is thought to be symbolic of summoning the goddess Lakshmi to your home. Most people strive to make substantial purchases around this time of the year (hence the nationwide sale and offers that we see) or try to obtain silver jewellery, silver coins, or silver kitchen utensils. They begin their Diwali presence with a gift of plenty, both materially and spiritually.

Silver in Hindu Custom: Foundations Beneath Custom

In Indian culture, the shimmer of silver is borne of far greater value than material worth. Several aspects contribute to the valuation:

Purity and Auspiciousness: Silver remains pure and clear. Its reflective shine is reputed to cast away negativity and admit positively spiritual vibrations into the light, rendering it timely for rituals celebrating a time of cleansing and rejuvenation.

Availability and Accessibility: Silver is available and less cost-prohibitive to more people than gold. In general, silver has been available to a wider swath of devotees than gold. This is of significant value, as it allows wider access in support of the ritual of sacred gifting and offering.

Connection to the Moon: Silver's celestial connections to the Moon (Chandra deity) are believed to bring emotional healing, calm, and prosperity. It has a cooling impact, which is said to balance our minds and sustain us during challenging ups and downs. The power of Silver is ultimately to provide the right energy when families or groups come together from different circumstances for hope and healing.

Spiritual conduit: Silver is used for some religious items- temple bells, puja implements, deity statues and idols, and coins- effectively acting as a bridge between earth and spirit.

Silver to make Spiritual Jewellery 

Sterling silver is 92.5% pure silver (typically labelled ‘925’). Sterling silver is made of silver and other metals like copper to create a frequently used, durable, yet still sacred, form of jewellery.

Pure silver is in its natural state and assigned a hallmark of ‘999’ for its 99.9% pure silver content, but it is too soft to wear on its own. By combining silver with additional metals, artisans can craft sterling silver, a form that is strong enough to wear in rings, necklaces, bangles, and earrings, but still pure enough to not lose its spiritual and aesthetic qualities.

Sterling silver has an enormous meaning regarding adorning the body for festivals:

Blessings from Meaningful Symbols: Wearing new silver jewellery at Dhanteras and during Diwali is said to welcome blessings from Lakshmi, strengthen the aura, and protect the wearer from negativity.

Passing on Blessings: Getting sterling silver on these occasions is also defined as the exchange of blessings from one generation to the next. Whether given to a daughter, son, or a new bride, silver is the thread that connects family prosperity and fortune.

Modern Class, Ancient Influence: The beauty of sterling silver jewellery is that it is effective for every festive occasion, from simple studs and stackable bracelets to elaborate temple jewellery - it unites the ancient and the modern.

999 Silver for Coins: Purest, most auspicious

For coins, however, only the purest will do: ‘999’ silver, which is 99.9% pure and as refined as can be. These coins are minted with the image of Lakshmi, Ganesha, or other deities, or have detailed motifs that represent prosperity or the blessing of wealth.

There are plenty of ways to use 999 silver coins during Dhanteras and Diwali:

Coins are often bought on Dhanteras and placed on the family deity as a generous representation of Lakshmi. The idea is that some of her wealth will flow into your family for the year to come.

They are included in Diwali pujas, or in special pujas like Lakshmi puja, as the coin is a medium to connect with prayer and blessings for wealth and well-being.

Silver coins are also distributed to friends, family, employees, and the priests from temples to spread good luck and blessings amongst one another.

Traditional Silver: More than Just Wealth

Indian families have always thought of silver as more than simply a store of wealth, but as a source of ritual strength and power:

First Gift to a Child: In a number of families, it is customary to gift silver anklets, silver bowls, or silver spoons when a child is born. These may be viewed as protective, for health, and as cosmic blessings right from the first day.

Protection: There are very strong and popular beliefs that silver jewellery worn on the body (especially amulets and waist chains) protects individuals from the evil eye and from negative energy. This idea can be particularly prominent at times of high energy, like festival time.

Occasion Specialness: Silver is an auspicious share or gift option in many ritual contexts. It is used for weddings, for baby showers, and for housewarming gifts. Silver is often used as the metal for gifts or out of necessity as ritual items.

The Light of Silver

Besides being seasonally appropriate, purchasing, gifting, and decorating with silver from Dhanteras to Diwali is about calling forth luck, stability, and protection for a year ahead. The decision to use sterling silver for jewellery items is a choice for elegance and lasting power; choosing 999 silver coins will give you a pure piece of blessing. Gold and silver are simply solidified light emanating from the sun; each one holds a belief system as bright as the metal itself: that we can prosper in all aspects of life, wrapped in the health and soothing and auspicious energy for the years that silver has been with us, from bending to our ancestors’ needs to these things being our needs today.