Diamonds have always carried an exclusive sort of symbolism throughout history. Today, it can be mostly known for its significance in romance - using a diamond ring being the key ring a person ever buys, and gives to the woman he loves.
But a long time before that, Diamond Jewellery were built with a very different type of symbolism and meaning. For millennia, the traits of diamonds that have made them so valuable and so treasured are actually interpreted by different cultures in another way, and their strength, hardness, brilliance and wonder have signified various meanings.
In the past, the Greeks held the belief that diamonds were the tears in the gods because of its physical properties that appeared to be out of this world. The Romans believed roughly the same, only rather than being the tears in the gods they believed that diamonds were fragments of fallen stars.
Halfway worldwide from there, in ancient India diamonds were consideration to have magical properties and were of specific religious and mythological significance. Diamonds in India were never cut, because it was declared that if they were their powers would dissipate.
In Tibetan Buddhism, diamonds also play a huge role and in fact Tibetan Buddhism is actually called Vajrayana which loosely means the Diamond Vehicle, and something of their most important texts is called the Diamond Sutra.
Since those olden days, several other myths and legends have sprung forth around diamonds too. In the center Ages, it was thought that diamonds could tell whether a person was innocent or guilty, knowning that a diamond would darken within the presence of guilt, and shine bright in the presence of innocence.
This remarkable stone has always been thought to bring luck and fortune to anybody who wears it, and in many cases warriors and Kings might wear it into battle, believing who's would bring them victory over their enemies.
As you can see, the symbolism and meaning behind loose diamonds has varied throughout history.
Its trendy symbolism of romance and marriage only began in 1477 once the Archduke Maximilian of Austria gave a hoop to Mary of Burgundy for engagement. Although ahead of that there are already cases of betrothal gifts which involve diamond jewelry for example tiaras, brooches, and necklaces - that is the first case of a diamond ring being given upon an engagement.
Obviously - the rest is history.
Today, the value of diamonds in romance and engagement may be the predominant symbolism all over the world. It includes a special meaning, and has potent emotional significance, but that does not mean that it couldn't one day symbolize something quite different once more.
Who knows what are the future holds for that symbolism and concept of diamonds.
No comments:
Post a Comment