The Family Medallion is, I believe, a christian symbol- a little on the new side. (created by a priest or missionary of some sort, I've forgotten since i first read about it in 8th/9th grade or so)
The original meaning of it was to symbolize the importance of a children in a new marriage- as in the case of remarried mothers and fathers, and the giving of the family medallion to the kids and the new couple is made a part of the ceremony. it is a reminder that this is your FAMILY, they are all important, and you will not forget about the kids in favor of your new spouse-
The family is represented by the greater circle, or oval. Inside are three rings, interconnected. two of them represent the new couple, and one, the child.
I first received one when my mother remarried to my then step-father Ray. When things began to turn sour again, the Family medallions we each owned came to mean something else to us- it was the three of us. My mother, my brother, and myself, and it meant to us that we were all we needed to be a family.
When she was born, my sister Issabella received a family medallion, as well, though she did not live long enough to appreciate its meaning.

I've since lost the original one i received- the chain broke and, though i spent a lot of time trying to make sure i didn't lose my medallion, we... well, we moved- and as all times when people move, it got lost then.

However, it still maintained a special place in my life, as far as symbols go, and, when talking about an appropriate way to show commitment to my boys, it was one of the first things i thought of-
Three rings, inside the greater ring of family. three rings interconnected, held together by something stronger than law or religion;
I decided that, given the circumstances, and, though far from the original intention of the symbol, it fit us the best-

So here it is.

our Family Medallion.

***

wow, that took longer than it should have- but i'm fairly proud of it. I could have done better, but it's my first painting in a very long time, so i'm rather proud of it, especially given that i don't really have much experience painting to begin with. it always struck me as an unforgiving medium, and that's always kind of scared me away- still, though.
anyway, the scan is just a tad brighter than it is irl, and, irl, it fits together a little better than it doe sin the scan (in part because they're tiny alone, but too big for the scanner together, somehow)
Anyway :3 Hope you enjoy, it was a fun project to work on, even if i did procrastinate a lot.