Weird Question (religion, iconography, greek culture)

[NewChief]

You may or may not be familiar with "milagros" which are miracle charms in hispanic culture.

Basically, they relate to a specific prayer request and you wear them for good luck or to receive a miracle.

When I was in Greece, I remember something similar there, except it looked more like a dog tag with an icon (related to the miracle) stamped onto it. I could be misremembering, but I actually thought that these charms were used to commemorate a loved one who had died from some ailment instead of to request intervention. So, if someone had died of lung cancer, the dog tag would have lungs on it. Does anyone have any clue of what these are called?

[FAX]

Votives?

FAX

[NewChief]

Originally Posted by FAX

Votives?

FAX

That might be right. Ex-votos is turning up in some searched I've done.

[NewChief]

You're right Mr. Fax. These are them:

[Molitoth]

I'm afraid to see Mr. Bobbit's Votive.

[FAX]

Wow. I think that's the first time I've pulled votives out of my butt that actually worked for somebody.

FAX

[NewChief]

Sweet. I finally found it. The specific term for the Greek ones are Tamata
http://www.athensguide.com/journalis...les/tamata.htm

[FAX]

Originally Posted by NewPhin

Sweet. I finally found it. The specific term for the Greek ones are Tamata
http://www.athensguide.com/journalis...les/tamata.htm

Ah, well. It was a stab in the dark recesses (owie!). Still, I'm glad you found it, Mr. NewPhin.

The word's etymology is interesting, though. They're called Tamata because the first ones were made from round, red vegetables.

FAX

[Chief Chief]

Originally Posted by NewPhin

Sweet. I finally found it. The specific term for the Greek ones are Tamata
http://www.athensguide.com/journalis...les/tamata.htm

I say 'tomato', you say 'tamata';
Let's call the whole thing off!

[Jilly]

Originally Posted by FAX

Wow. I think that's the first time I've pulled votives out of my butt that actually worked for somebody.

FAX

It makes me wonder what else is in your butt. Seems like we have only "cracked" the surface.