Tuesday, May 3, 2011

The Symbolism and Meaning of Diamonds






Diamonds have always carried a particular sort of symbolism throughout history. Today, it can be mostly recognized for its significance in romance - which has a diamond ring being the key ring a male ever buys, and provides to the woman he loves.



But some time before that, diamonds a very different kind of symbolism and meaning. For millennia, the traits of diamonds that have made them so valuable so treasured are actually interpreted by different cultures in different ways, and their strength, hardness, brilliance and wonder have signified various meanings.



Sometime ago, the Greeks held the point that diamonds were the tears of the gods because of its physical properties that appeared to be out of this world. The Romans believed roughly the same, only as an alternative to being the tears of the gods they believed that diamonds were fragments of fallen stars.



Halfway around the globe from there, in ancient India diamonds were consideration to have magical properties and were of specific spiritual and mythological significance. Diamonds in India were never cut, as it was asserted if they were their powers would dissipate.



In Tibetan Buddhism, diamonds also play a crucial role and in fact Tibetan Buddhism is actually called Vajrayana which loosely translates into the Diamond Vehicle, then one of their most significant texts is recognized as 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 somebody was innocent or guilty, and that a diamond would darken in the presence of guilt, and shine bright inside presence of innocence.



This remarkable stone has always been thought to bring luck and fortune to anyone who wears it, and in many cases warriors and Kings would wear it into battle, believing it would bring them victory over their enemies.



As you have seen, the symbolism and meaning behind Diamond Jewellery has varied throughout history.



Its modern day meaning of romance and marriage only began in 1477 once the Archduke Maximilian of Austria gave a hoop to Mary of Burgundy for engagement. Although before that there have been cases of betrothal gifts which involve diamond jewelry such as tiaras, brooches, and necklaces - that is the first case of an diamond ring being given upon an engagement.



Naturally - the rest is history.



Today, value of diamonds in romance and engagement is the predominant symbolism across the world. It has a special meaning, and has potent emotional significance, but that will not mean that it could not one day symbolize something quite different once more.



Who knows exactly what the future holds for that symbolism and concept of diamonds.

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