Tuesday, May 3, 2011
The Meaning and Concept of Diamonds
Diamonds have always carried a unique sort of symbolism throughout history. Today, it is mostly known for its significance in romance - using a diamond ring being the most crucial ring a man ever buys, and gives to the woman he loves.
But a long time before that, diamonds had a very different type of symbolism and meaning. For millennia, the traits of diamonds which have renedered them so valuable and so treasured happen to be interpreted by different cultures diversely, and their strength, hardness, brilliance and wonder have signified various meanings.
Sometime ago, the Greeks held the point that diamonds were the tears in the gods because of its physical properties that was out of this world. The Romans believed roughly the same, only instead of being the tears from the gods they believed that diamonds were fragments of fallen stars.
Halfway around the world from there, in ancient India diamonds were considered to have magical properties and were of specific spiritual and mythological significance. Diamonds in India were never cut, since it was said 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 could result in the Diamond Vehicle, then one of their most critical texts is called the Diamond Sutra.
Since those olden days, many other myths and legends have sprung forth around diamonds too. In the Middle Ages, it had been thought that diamonds could tell whether a person was innocent or guilty, and that a diamond would darken inside presence of guilt, and shine bright in the presence of innocence.
This remarkable stone in addition has always been told bring luck and fortune to anybody who wears it, and perhaps warriors and Kings might wear it into battle, believing that it would bring them victory over their enemies.
As you have seen, the symbolism and meaning behind loose diamonds has varied throughout history.
Its modern symbolism of romance and relationship only began in 1477 if the Archduke Maximilian of Austria gave an engagement ring to Mary of Burgundy for engagement. Although before that there are already cases of betrothal gifts that involve diamond jewelry for example tiaras, brooches, and necklaces - that is the first case of the diamond ring being given upon an engagement.
Naturally - the others is history.
Today, the need for loose diamonds in romance and engagement could be the predominant symbolism all over the world. It includes a special meaning, and has potent emotional significance, but that will not mean that it could not one day symbolize something quite different again.
Who knows what the future holds for that symbolism and concept of diamonds.
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