A Taíno amulet is a small sacred object created by the Indigenous Taíno people of the Caribbean, especially in present-day Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Cuba, and other Greater Antilles islands before European colonization.

Many Taíno amulets represented zemis (cemís) — spiritual beings, ancestors, or deities believed to hold protective and supernatural power. These objects were often carved from stone, bone, shell, wood, or jade-like materials and worn as pendants or carried for protection, guidance, fertility, healing, or connection to the spirit world.

Common features include:

• Human or animal figures
• Squatting or fetal-like postures
• Sun, bat, frog, or coquí motifs
• Carved facial expressions and ceremonial symbols

Some symbols associated with Taíno amulets are still culturally important in Caribbean identity and art today, especially in Puerto Rican and Dominican heritage.

Example museum pieces:

• Amulet
• Taino Carved Stone Amulet – Squatting Zemi Figure

If you want, I can also help with:

• identifying a Taíno amulet symbol,
• explaining specific Taíno meanings,
• showing images/examples,
• or discussing whether a modern necklace/tattoo design is authentically Taíno-inspired.