Necklaces. An ornament common to all ages and nations. The ancient Egyptians of both sexes wore them of gold or beads, generally with a large drop or figure in the centre, and strung of the various religious emblems; amethysts, pearls, gold or cornelian bottles, imitations of fish, shell, and leaves; finally, an infinite variety of devices. (See Wilkinson’s Ancient Egyptians, ii. 343.) An illustration of a common form of Greek necklaces is given under Crotalium. The British women of the earliest ages wore necklaces of jet, ivory, and amber, beads, shells, &c., besides gold links hooked together. (See also Monile, Torque.) The Anglo-Norman ladies do not appear to have worn necklaces, and no mediæval examples are found earlier than the 15th century. (See Figs. 303, 304, 483.)
Neck-mouldings, Arch. The mouldings at the bottom of the capital, in Gothic architecture.
Necrodeipnon, Gr. A feast after a funeral; a common subject on tombs. A horse’s head is usually placed in one corner of the representation, as an emblem of death as a journey.
Necrologium, Chr. A book kept in religious houses for the names of the founders and benefactors to be mentioned in the prayers.
Necromancy (Gr. νεκρὸς, the dead, and μαντεία, prophecy). Calling up the spirits of the dead for divination; hence generally applied to conjuring. Necromancy was practised in two ways: by inspection of the entrails, and by invoking the dead.
Necropolis, Gr. A city of the dead; a cemetery.
Nectar, Gr. The drink of the gods.
Necysia, Gr. Offerings of garlands of flowers and other objects made at the tombs of deceased relatives on the anniversary of the day of death, or, as some suppose, on their birthdays. (See Genesia.)
Needfire, or Fire of St. John Baptist (Old Germ. Nodfyr, Niedfyr). A superstitious practice of the ancients, derived from a pagan source, of celebrating the birthday of St. John Baptist at the midsummer solstice (St. John’s Eve) by lighting fires, carrying about firebrands, or rolling a burning wheel. The practice is one of many examples of the caution with which the evangelizing ecclesiastics of the Middle Ages refrained from abruptly disturbing the deeply-rooted superstitions of the ancient Germans. [Consult Grimm’s German Mythology; Brand, Popular Antiquities.]
Needle, Arch. An obelisk (q.v.)