What Is the Symbolism of a Key Necklace? 6 Possible Meanings

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Discover the beautiful reasons people wear key necklaces

Co-authored by Cory Schifter and Elaine Heredia, BA

Last Updated: April 15, 2025 Fact Checked

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Key Necklace Symbolism

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Why People Wear Them

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Popular Styles

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Takeaways

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FAQs

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Tips

A key necklace is a timeless piece of jewelry that means different things to different people. It's most commonly gifted to adult women and men on their 21st birthday to symbolize their passage into adulthood or to recent graduates who are "unlocking" the next phase in their lives. It's also often given as a symbol of love or worn as a good luck charm. We cover more symbolic meanings of key necklaces, common reasons people wear them, and popular key necklace styles in the article below.

What does a key necklace mean?

Key necklaces have many different meanings depending on the age and feelings of the wearer. The most common symbolic meanings are to show love and devotion to a partner; as a good luck charm; as a symbol of independence; to mark a new beginning; show trust in God; hint at secrets; or because they just like keys!

Section 1 of 5:

Symbolic Meanings of Key Necklaces

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Love and devotion A key necklace is a popular symbol of love between two romantic partners. One partner (usually the man, if it's a heterosexual relationship) will give the other one a key necklace as "the key to their heart." In this context, it also doubles as a symbol of devotion since people only usually give the keys to important things to people they trust.
- You can also give a key necklace to someone you love in a non-romantic way, like a close family member.
According to sources on the internet, a key necklace can also be worn as a good luck charm. People who wear it for this purpose may believe it helps them "unlock" blessings (i.e., getting their dream job, qualifying for a mortgage, or receiving unexpected gifts) and avoid misfortune (i.e., car accidents, illnesses, or a job loss). They might have it on at job interviews or when they take tests at school. They may also keep it on constantly to ward against other people's bad intentions or jealousy.

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Getting a key to something often means gaining a new level of independence (like when you receive the keys to your first car). That's why it's common for people to give key necklaces to recent graduates and adults who just turned 21 years old. The key symbolizes the recipient's freedom after "unlocking" a new phase in life.
Whenever we want to start anything new, like a habit or a life phase, it's up to us to take the first step. In that light, a key necklace can symbolize our desire to "unlock" new beginnings, such as a career change, a move to a new city, or a new romantic relationship.
For Christians, a key necklace may symbolize their trust that only God can open (and close) doors of opportunity. They believe both their successes and failures are gifts from their Heavenly Father, and only through relying on His wisdom and faithfulness can they find true happiness. As it says in Isaiah 22:22, "I will place on his shoulder the key of the house of David; he shall open, and no one shall shut; he shall shut, and no one shall open."^{[1]
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Key necklaces also symbolize secrets since we don't always know what mysterious boxes or furniture a key might unlock! They're also sometimes associated with magic – specifically with the Greek goddess Hecate, who rules over witchcraft. Keys are one of Hecate's symbols and represent her power to "unlock" secrets in the physical and spiritual realms.^{[2]
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Section 2 of 5:

Common Reasons People Wear Key Necklaces

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In the United States, turning 21 is a special event. At this age, Americans are considered full-fledged legal adults who can own and drive their own vehicle, buy a house, and assume other grown-up responsibilities alone. Their parents might give them a key necklace (or they might buy it themselves) to wear in honor of entering adulthood and to symbolically unlock all the new life events, freedoms, and opportunities coming their way.^{[3]
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You might wear a key necklace given to you by someone you love deeply, like a romantic partner, or that you bought for yourself in their honor. Your partner may even wear a matching lock. The key (and lock, if you choose to get one) represents the strength and security of your love. It can also demonstrate to other people who might be interested in you romantically that you're "taken."
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To signify the start of a new chapter. A person might choose to wear a key necklace when they start a new chapter in their lives. For example, they may wear it after ending an old relationship; relocating to a new city or country; graduating from college; or even something more personal, like ending an addiction or adopting a healthier lifestyle.
- That's the beauty of the key necklace as a symbol of new beginnings: there's always one happening, no matter your age or circumstances!
Some people wear vintage-style keys because they enjoy their old-fashioned appearance. They like the burnished finish and distinctive designs of old keys, which are usually larger, thicker, and heavier than modern ones. The wearer may also love history and enjoy the symbolism of keys unlocking the mysteries and secrets of the past.^{[4]
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Section 3 of 5:

Popular Key Necklace Styles

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The most popular key necklace style is the heart-shaped key. In this design, the handle at the top of the key (called the bow) is twisted into a classic heart shape. It's most commonly exchanged between romantic partners as symbols of their love, but it can also signify love for a close family member (like a parent or grandparent).
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Skeleton key necklace A skeleton key is a key that can supposedly unlock any lock, but the term is also used to label any key with a long, skinny shaft (called a barrel) connecting a bow on one end and the bit that fits in the lock at the other.^{[5]
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Research source} Some people like to wear full-sized skeleton keys on a chain around their neck. Others prefer smaller versions designed specifically as pendants, not to work like real keys.
- This is probably the key you think of when you imagine a vintage key to a piece of antique furniture or an old door. It's also the symbol in the logo of the hit Netflix series, Locke & Key.
- Most key necklace styles come in a similar shape to a skeleton key, but they're usually smaller and daintier and have unique features, like a heart-shaped bow or an engraving on the barrel.
A crown key necklace has a bow shaped like a traditional crown worn by European royals (think the late Queen Elizabeth). The bow can be flat or 3D, simple or elaborate; some even come with different colored inset jewels to add sparkle to the crown's multiple sections. People typically gift a crown key necklace to an important female figure in their lives, such as their wife, mother, or grandmother.
A four-point key necklace, also known as the compass style, has a bow with 4 round or pointed protrusions. The number of points can carry a lot of different meanings, such as the 4 seasons (spring, summer, fall, and winter) or the 4 directions (north, south, east, and west). It's also a classic, gender-neutral design with universal appeal, and makes a great gift for anyone!
If you can afford it, a key necklace made of a precious metal like silver or gold or set with stones like diamonds will make whoever wears it feel truly special. The latter necklace style often has gems set on or inside the bow, the barrel, and the bit. Talk about sparkle! This key necklace is given on very special occasions, like anniversaries, graduations, birthdays, and holidays (i.e., Christmas, Hanukkah, or Mother's Day).

Section 4 of 5:

Takeaways

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While they're traditionally given as gifts to commemorate important milestones – like turning 21 or graduating from school – they're also worn as tokens of love, luck, trust in God, and a belief in secrets and magic. Wearers also have plenty of styles to choose from, from heart-shaped keys to antique skeleton keys. Truly anyone of any age and gender can find meaning in this accessory!

Section 5 of 5:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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What does the key necklace symbolize? A key necklace has many symbolic meanings, including love and devotion, luck, freedom and independence, trust in God, and mysteries and secrets.
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What does it mean when a woman wears a key around her neck? A woman typically wears a key around her neck to show her love for her romantic partner or her children (she has or is the "key" to their heart); to commemorate starting a new chapter in life; to celebrate her 21st birthday milestone; or simply because she likes the aesthetic.
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What's the significance of receiving a key necklace when you turn 21? Receiving a key necklace on your 21st birthday is significant because it represents "unlocking" the door of adulthood. It symbolizes coming-of-age and stepping into a new world of responsibilities and opportunities.

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Tips

Make a key necklace extra special by having it engraved! Engrave it with the name of the person you're giving it to, a special date (like an anniversary or graduation day), or a meaningful symbol (like a heart or a shamrock).

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