All about the Charivari!

The Charivari (pronouncedShari-vari) is especially worn in the alpine regions of Bavaria and Tyrolia by both men and women to their Lederhosen or Dirndl. The men wear the Charivari on the front of the traditional German Lederhosen. The ladies Charivari is called “Charini” and is worn on the Dirndl apron (traditional German dress) or pinned to the bodice of the Dirndl.

 

Male 'Charivari' with silver coins, gemstone, venison teeth etc.

The Charivari consists of a massive silver or silver plated chain with different kinds of lucky charms. The most popular ones are silver coins, gemstones, venison teeth or very small parts of deer antlers. The charms also show off the skills of hunters and are a very important status symbol for rich farmers.

Female 'Charini' with silver coins, venison teeth and antler points.

It is important to always have an uneven number of charms on your Charivari, even numbers bring about bad luck.

In the last century, the tradition of the Charivari was almost lost but with today’s renaissance of traditional costumes, the Charivari has again an important meaning as traditional jewelry and gives each traditional German costume an individual note.