Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson’s Inauguration Attire Carries Deep Symbolism

The Supreme Court Justice wore a cowrie shell collar, a historic and cultural emblem, during President Trump's second inauguration on MLK Day.

Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson wore a cowrie shell collar and matching earrings over her judicial robes at Donald Trump's second inauguration, which coincided with Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Cowrie shells, historically used as currency in African cultures, also symbolize power, protection, and resistance, particularly during the era of the transatlantic slave trade.
The accessory’s ties to womanhood and protection from evil add layers of significance, especially given Jackson’s position as the first Black female Supreme Court Justice and a descendant of enslaved people.
Observers likened Jackson’s choice to the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s use of symbolic collars to convey subtle messages during key moments.
Jackson has not publicly commented on the meaning behind her choice, but many view it as a poignant statement on a day laden with historical and political resonance.