Chai (חי): the Hebrew symbol of life worn as jewelry
2026
Chai (חי): the Hebrew symbol of life worn as jewelry
The Hebrew word chai, written חי, means “life”. Its letters, chet and yod, have numerical values of eight and ten. Together they give eighteen, which explains why gifts and charitable donations are sometimes made in multiples of 18. The popular expression l’chaim, “to life”, comes from the same root.
Context
Chai pendants are common in Jewish jewelry. Some people wear the symbol instead of the Star of David; others wear both, or choose one for a particular occasion. Neither choice is a universal religious requirement, and the choice can reflect family identity, cultural memory, faith or simple personal taste.
Context
The symbol is not a replacement for the Jewish religion as a whole. It does not have a single date of invention or an agreed original designer. Its current popularity developed through Hebrew lettering, folk symbolism, jewelry and a longstanding emphasis on life in Jewish culture.