Tuesday, May 3, 2011

The Symbolism and Meaning of Diamonds






Diamonds have always carried an exclusive sort of symbolism throughout history. Today, it's mostly recognized for its significance in romance - using a diamond ring being the key ring a man ever buys, and gives to the woman that he loves.



But some time before that, Diamond Jewellery had a very different type of symbolism and meaning. For millennia, the traits of diamonds which have renedered them so valuable so treasured are actually interpreted by different cultures diversely, and their strength, hardness, brilliance and wonder have signified various meanings.



In the past, the Greeks held the fact that diamonds were the tears from the gods because of its physical properties that was out of this world. The Romans believed roughly the identical, only as an alternative to being the tears from the gods they believed that diamonds were fragments of fallen stars.



Halfway around the globe from there, in ancient India diamonds were shown to have magical properties and were of explicit religious and mythological significance. Diamonds in India were never cut, as 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 itself is actually called Vajrayana which loosely results in the Diamond Vehicle, the other of their most important texts is known as the Diamond Sutra.



Since those olden days, many other myths and legends have sprung forth around diamonds too. In the centre Ages, it was thought that diamonds could tell whether an individual was innocent or guilty, knowning that a diamond would darken inside presence of guilt, and shine bright inside presence of innocence.



This remarkable stone has also 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 which it would bring them victory over their enemies.



As you can tell, the symbolism and meaning behind Diamond Jewellery has varied throughout history.



Its trendy significance of romance and relationship only began in 1477 once the Archduke Maximilian of Austria gave a hoop to Mary of Burgundy for their engagement. Although just before that there happen to be cases of betrothal gifts which entail diamond jewelry for example tiaras, brooches, and necklaces - that's the first case of a diamond ring being given upon an engagement.



Needless to say - the remainder is history.



Today, the significance of loose diamonds in romance and engagement is the predominant symbolism across the world. It includes a special meaning, and has potent emotional significance, but that doesn't mean that it couldn't one day symbolize something quite different yet again.



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

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