Silver necklace among Hmong girls

Hmong nationality is a nation originate from China. I noticed that when every Hmong girl dressed up their national dress, they always wear a big silver necklace with complicated pattern on it. This makes me wonder if there is any symbolic meaning of wearing a silver necklace in Hmong nationality. Therefore, I did a little research online, and the following is what I found.

A long time ago, there is a very beautiful and smart Hmong girl named Silver Flower. A troll is attracted by Silver Flower's beauty, and he attempts to take Silver flower away from her family. Silver Flower's parents are extremely worried about their daughters, so they ask for advice and help from everyone they knew. Unfortunately, nobody can help. One day, a master travels to their village. After hears about Silver Flower and her parents' condition, the master suggests Silver Flower wear a shining silver mirror on her neck. From then on, the troll never appears again. Hmong people believes silver can avoid evil spirits. As days go by, wearing silver necklace becomes custom among Hmong girls. 

Silver necklace is also an important dowry for Hmong girls. Since ancient times, among Hmong people, only boys can inherit ancestral property. Ancestors leave farmland, forest and house only to the boys. Dowry is the only property that Hmong parents leave to their daughters. Therefore, no matter what, Hmong mothers will meticulously prepare a set of dowry for their daughters. The most important part in the dowry is the silver necklace. It stands for a mother's deep love for her daughter.

Wearing silver necklace can make Hmong girls more beautiful. Hmong girls think it's a good way to attract boys they admire. In addition, the silver necklace that Hmong girls are wearing also represents for her family's wealth. When Hmong girls turn to sixteen, they will be taken to traditional festival activities. While the girls are dancing, boys are considering which girl will be suitable for him and his family based on the silver jewelries the girls are wearing. Then, Hmong boy will go dancing with the girl he admire.

Silver jewelry is an important part in Hmong custom. It is the dowry for Hmong girls. It  brings happiness and avoids evil spirits for the Hmong girls. It represents Hmong parents' love for their daughters.