Sacred Gemstones and Sacred Colors

Sacred Gemstones and Sacred Colors

Who can deny that vivid rich colors bring positivity and joy in our lives?

The ancient Egyptians as well as the Inuit people believed that colors came about through divine intervention and creation.

Brilliant colors are found everywhere; in planets and galaxies, in the rainbow, in flowers, and in the feathers of birds, and especially in gemstones.

Each color, in ancient times, held a special sacred meaning. Sometimes the meanings were the same in Egypt, China, Mesoamerica, India, etcetera.

Here I will discuss six sacred colors discussed in ancient religions that still hold true in our modern days.

Blue
Blue represents an ancient blue god that symbolized the Heavens. It represents compassion, since the heavens showers its blessings on all sentient and non-sentient beings here on earth. It is also the color of the sea.

The most sacred blue gemstone is Lapis Lazuli. It was held sacred in Sumeria, Assyria, Babylon, Egypt, Greek and Rome.

Red
Red is the color of power and passion. It is the color that represents the god and planet Mars. In China, it is the color that represents luck, joy and happiness. It also represents celebration, vitality, and fertility. Red is the traditional color worn by Chinese brides, as it is believed to ward off evil. In Mesoamerica, red was the color used to ward off evil, or the Evil Eye.

The most ancient red gem is the precious red Coral.

Yellow
Yellow is the sacred color of the sun. It represents happiness, luck and wisdom. The ancient gemstones used were the sunstone and citrine. These two were believed to not only bring prosperity and joy to the owner but also the power and protection of the sun.

Native Americans believed that the reddish inclusions found within the Sunstone was because once upon a time a great and powerful shaman warrior was wounded by an arrow and his blood dropped onto pieces of the Oregon Sunstone. The spirit of this great warrior was carried into the stone giving it great sacred power.

It was believed that Sunstone contain within itself the power and influence of the sun, and thus a Sunstone was used to call upon the sun for its protection.

Ancient Greeks believed that it was a representation of the Sun God here on Earth. The ancient Greek held that people who were able to obtain the Sacred Sunstone were very lucky and fortunate because allegedly it brought with itself life, love and abundance, and wealth to the wearer.

Green
Green is the color of life here on Earth. It represents birth, rebirth and reincarnation. The most sacred green gemstones are Jade and Malachite. Jade and Malachite ward off evil and gives the wearer luck, wealth and happiness.

Jade in ancient Mesoamerica was considered more valuable than gold. Even today in China, Jade is valued more so than gold.

Purple
Purple is the color of nobility, magic and mystery. In ancient Rome, purple was associated with nobility, power and luxury. Only royalty had the privilege to own and wear a purple robe.

The purple gemstone ancients used was the Amethyst. Early Christians associate purple with Christ. Bishops of the Catholic Church wore amethyst rings as it symbolized purity of spirit and occult understanding from Heaven.

Amethyst is one of the twelve gemstones on Aaron's breastplate. The Hebrew word for amethyst is "ahlamah” which means "dream” and it is believed that the stone helps you to achieve deep sleep and have lucid dreams and that if you dream of amethysts you will be free from harm.

In Chinese medicine, amethyst is also prescribed to get rid of bad dreams. In Chinese Feng Shui, amethyst is a powerful tool in clearing negative energy and driving away the fears of life.


Pink
Pink was considered by the Greeks and Romans as a feminine color. It represented the compassion of a mother and the love of a beloved. The gemstone used in ancient Greece and Rome was Rose Quartz.

Rose Quartz is known as the 'love stone', 'heart stone' and ‘the stone of universal love.’ Since the ancient past, it has been associated with matters of the heart. It is a universal love stone that exudes healing energy of love and compassion. Its soothing feminine energy has always been used as an important talisman and charm for love relationship. It inspires self-love and relieves stress. Holding or meditating with a Rose Quartz releases anxiety, anger, resentment, insecurity and jealousy.

Ancient Assyrians, Egyptians, Romans, Greeks made amulets, talismans, seals and sacred ornamental object from Rose Quartz. These have been found in archeological sites dating as far back as 10,000 years ago Before the Common Era. Stone masks were also recovered from ancient tombs.

Isis, the goddess of magic and of sacred wisdom used Rose Quartz to maintain her youthful appearance and flawless complexion. It is still used as part of beauty treatment today.

Ancient Greek lore states that Rose Quartz was created by the blood of both Aphrodite and her lover Adonis. Aphrodite was the Greek goddess of love. It is said that the war god Ares was jealous of their love and thus set out to kill Adonis. Aphrodite in her rush to save him, had cut herself on a briar bush. As she held Adonis in her arms, their blood dripped onto a white quartz and stained it pink. Their love touched Zeus and he brought Adonis back to life. Rose Quartz then became the symbol of everlasting love.

In Roman mythology, it was believed that the god of desire, love and attraction also known as Cupid brought Rose Quartz from the heavens to earth in order for romance and love to thrive among humanity.


Blessings
Alice Koh