Hawaiian Heirloom Jewelry
Inscribed with Prayer found on Queen Lili’uokalani’s Original Bracelet
Edited by Madelyn Miller, The TravelLady
“This bracelet captures forever the spirit now embodied in
Hawaiian jewelry; a remembrance – of Hawaii’s Ali’i, of the Hawaiian people,”
Philip Rickard.
After years of research and investigation, Hawaiian
Heirloom Jewelry manufacturer Philip Rickard has translated the symbolic text on
Hawaii's last monarch, Queen Liliu'okalani's, original "Ho’omanao Mau" bracelet.
This bracelet is said to be the first Hawaiian bracelet,
manufactured in Hawaii by a European goldsmith and engraver living in the
islands. From this first bracelet worn by Liliu'okalani, Rickard says the
jewelry went from iconic, to a popular expression of Hawaiian culture, to vogue.
During the research of his book, Hawaiian Heirloom Jewelry,
“A Lasting Remembrance,” in Hawaii and England clues and recorded fact finally
led to the discovery of the original bracelet in Honolulu. It had descended from
the buyer of the bracelet at auction after the Queen had passed. Rickard
contacted the owner as quickly as he could, excited at the opportunity to see
first-hand the earliest piece of such a large part of Hawaiian fashion and
culture.
In addition to the bracelet’s enameled phrase "Ho’omanao
Mau," there were a series of symbols which at first inspection, seemed to simply
be symbols of rank and authority, independent of each other and without further
meaning. But these mysterious inscriptions piqued Rickard’s curiosity. He
remembers, "I didn't think much about this at the time of writing the book,
however it always nagged at me exactly what the symbols meant. Especially as
they were exactly reversed on each side of the phrase".
Last year, Rickard’s curiosity as to what the symbols meant
grew too great to ignore and he set about decoding their meaning. He found that
the symbols weren’t merely signifying rank and authority, but they amazingly
were a series of Masonic, French Royalty, Heraldic and Hawaiian symbols which
actually carried a message.
"I separated each of the symbols, and tracked down their
meanings from dictionary’s, online and various books,” Rickard explains. “After
methodically breaking down the meanings of the symbols and placing those core
meanings into a sentence, it immediately became clear that arrangement meant
something. I was confronted with what can only be interpreted as a prayer.”
Listed below are the interpretations of each of the
individual symbol's meanings and Rickard's translation of the Queen's century
old prayer:
Knowing much of Lili’uokalani’s nature and great personal
conflict from his research, Rickard believes that these findings confirm that
she wore her dedication to her people on her arm everyday. She was a woman who
struggled with maintaining her Hawaiian culture and tradition while embracing
the Western influences that were infiltrating her land. Delighted with this
bracelet’s formerly hidden message, Rickard concludes, “Her legacy to her
people- and to those her life has touched- continues to be one of courage,
compassion and, most of all aloha.”
About Philip Rickard
Lester Ralph “Philip” Rickard has dedicated much of his
life to the historical transitions of jewelry and has been particularly
influenced by the renaissance period in Europe. After studying and returning
frequently to the Venuto region of Italy ,
Rickard moved to Hawai'i after a compelling vision, where
he opened his first shop in the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center in 1986. Philip
Rickard Honolulu has grown to be the Premiere Manufacturer of World Class
Hawaiian Jewelry. This beautiful jewelry is made in many different gold colors
and platinum which feature the deep carved scrolling patterns, rich enameled
names, and inlays. Many of these pieces hold diamonds and colored gemstones
which are acquired daily by admirers in Hawai’i and around the world.
Rickard’s years of passion and research also lead him to
the 1993 publication of his book, “Hawaiian Heirloom Jewelry: ‘A Lasting
Remembrance’” which brings to light the rich history of the jewelry and
dissolves many of the misconceptions about its introduction into Hawaiian
history.
www.philiprickardhonolulu.com.
Madelyn Miller is a food and travel journalist who loves
Hawaii and jewelry.
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