The shell of a large sea snail predominantly found on the floor of the Indo-West Pacific region of earth's oceans, tiger cowrie shells have held significance in human life for centuries.

These shells have been unearthed at the site of Pompeii, an ancient Roman city located near modern day Naples famously covered and preserved under a volcanic eruption. 

In spiritual practice, tiger cowrie shells are used all over the world, primarily in Japan, India and West Africa, for a variety of purposes. They are consistently associated with life and birth. As they are believed to help facilitate childbirth, they're often held during labour to bless the delivery of a child.