The Filipinx Lingling O is a traditional indigenous amulet meant to symbolize fertility & abundance or more recently to be reclaimed as a symbol of creation in our lives, whether that is in the form of art, music, dance, or even creating a new information structure to simplify workflows. It is my wish that the lingling o design will serve to bring you blessings of abundance and creative manifestation.
There are four variants:
- Classic Lingling O combining the masculine and feminine energies of creativity
- Half-Moon
- 3/4 Moon
- Crescent Moon
The choice of gold is intentional as it is also a nod to the ancestral gold worn by Filipinx people through the ages as the Philippines is the second largest gold deposit in the world!
About this Design
The circular shape with the opening represents the uterus, while the negative space between the opening is somewhat phallic in nature. Some designs are more overtly so, but while I was designing my own, I realized the negative space also reminded me of a crescent moon, the bottom half circles as half-moons or an eclipsing sun, and the overall circle as the full moon.
When I looked at other lingling-o designs, they looked somewhat like moon phases, and throughout cultures around the world, the moon has been a source of power and inspiration for feminine energies and deities. The concept of the moon and the sun for this design also reflects the indigenous Filipinx diwata (deities) Mayari, a female warrior, sister to the sun diwata, Apolaki. When their father, Bathala, passed the two fought tirelessly for control of the heavens. Mayari lost her eye in the battle which is why the moon is more dim than the sun. Apolaki, feeling bad for hurting his sister so badly and seeing her relentless spirit that would not give up, surrendered the fight for power and agreed they would share in the governing of the heavens. I appreciate this story a lot because it to me illustrates the importance of equality. The brother didn’t give in out of pity, but remorse at the possibility of losing his sister entirely. He knew she was an indomitable force to be reckoned with and that if they continued to battle, one of them would no longer exist. He’d rather work alongside his sister than have one of them die. This is a reminder that balances of masculine and feminine energy are integral to creativity and innovative concepts. Although the lingling-o was initially a symbol for fertility to bless a woman during pregnancy, it also was worn to manifest an abundant crop or fishing expedition, which in turn, sustained the tribe.
Details
Size: 1.06" - 1.25"
Features: Cutout, Back Stamp, Backing Card