Probably the most common of the ancient Roman symbols was the image of the coiled snake, used as a representation of immortality and particularly common in bracelets. Some tomb sculptures show women with as many as seven such bracelets on each arm, presumably as extra security for the afterlife.
But snakes were not the only symbol to be incorporated into ancient Roman jewelry : fish were common as symbols of fertility or abundance, the eagle represented dignity and victory and was often carried into battle as an ensign, spiders represented foresight in business matters, the 'cornicello' or horn protected against the 'evil eye' and remains a potent symbol in present day Italian charm jewelry.