'talisman-bearing' is a modern English compound formed from 'talisman' + the present participle 'bearing'. 'Talisman' entered English via French and earlier from Arabic and Greek sources, while 'bearing' comes from Old English 'beran' (to carry).

'talisman' comes into English from French 'talisman', ultimately from Arabic 'tilasm' (often recorded as 'tilasm' or 'tilasmān'), itself from Greek 'telesma' meaning 'consecration' or 'ritual', and over time referred to an object believed to have magical or protective powers. 'Bear' (Old English 'beran') developed into the modern verb 'to bear' and its present participle 'bearing', which combines with nouns to form compounds like 'talisman-bearing'.

Initially 'telesma' related to 'consecration' or a completed rite; the borrowings developed the sense of an object endowed with protective or magical power. In the compound 'talisman-bearing', the meaning is literal: 'carrying a talisman', with the added modern nuance of implying protective or lucky influence.