Birthstones – The Mystery and the Myths Explained
What is a birthstone?
Birthstones are now very popular gift items. Jewelry such as rings, pendants, and bracelets using the different birthstones also make great personalized gifts. These birthstones are simply precious stones or gemstones similar to the ones used in regular jewelries. However, these stones are attributed with special powers and beliefs and are then assigned to each of the twelve months of the year. A birthstone is believed to contain supernatural powers that become stronger during its assigned month, and that they pass on mythical benefits to the person born on that month.
How It All Began
The special list of privileged stones that are to receive special recognition as birthstones can be traced back to the early days of the Bible, when a list of stones found on the Breastplate of Aaron was enumerated in the book of Exodus. A Jewish historian known as Josephus discovered the significance of this list, which propelled the entire birthstone belief system.
The stones that were mentioned in Exodus include ruby, topaz, beryl, turquoise, sapphire, emerald, jacinth, agate, amethyst, chrysolite, onyx, and jasper. Another enumeration of stones occurred in the latter part of the Bible, in the book of Revelations. The list was symbolically called, in Biblical terms, as the “foundations of the wall of the city.”
Later on, when the 15th century rolled along, astrologists started attributing supernatural powers to the stones and coming up with legends about them. Due to the strong belief triggered by this, people began wearing the birthstones and birthstone jewelries were born.
Birthstone Fact or Birthstone Myth?
People have different beliefs about birthstones.
What is fact? The belief that birthstones have healing powers is actually true. After all, the birthstones are all minerals. It is a proven fact that minerals bring positive effects to a person’s health. Thus, it is a fact that the birthstones can impact a person’s health in a positive way.
What are the legends? A number of legends associated with birthstones actually have scientific proof. Some people believe that birthstones can cool, quench, or magnify human emotions and tempers. Scientific studies have shown that minerals, through bodily contact, help regulate various bodily functions, thus bringing a more balanced personality. Thus, there is some truth to these legendary abilities of birthstones.
What are pure myth? As for the supernatural powers of the birthstones, these were only assigned by astrologers. Belief in these supernatural powers mostly depends on one’s personal belief system. These powers are said to be stronger in the month that a stone is assigned to.
Birthstone Lists by Type
There are several types of birthstone lists. These lists originated in different times, with the modern list only born in 1912 and the traditional lists dating as far back to the 15th century. The reason behind these different lists is that the lists are updated based on the state of the stones involved, or are modified to fit different purposes. The differences, however, are confined mostly to the stones and their order. However, the colors of the stones used for each month are usually consistent.
* Modern
The modern birthstone list is the national list adopted by the American National Association of Jewelers. This is considered as the widely accepted official list in the USA.
* Traditional – the ancient list
The traditional birthstone list came before the modern list. It is understandable why this list had to be replaced. Some of the stones in this list are very old.
* The Mystical Birthstone List
The mystical list, on the other hand, is the list adopted by the Tibetan race. This is no longer in use now, but was adopted by Tibetans for more than a thousand years.
* Ayurvedic
The Ayurvedic list is the list most centered on the healing properties of the birthstones. This list was used by the ancient Indians in their medicinal practices. Although this list is no longer being used, the Indian medicinal beliefs are still influenced by this list.
* The Zodiac Birthstone List
The Zodiac list is a bit different. These are arranged based on the signs of the zodiac. A birthstone is assigned for each zodiac sign. This list originated from astrologers in India and Babylon.
What are the cultural birthstone lists?
In the traditional days of birthstone belief, the lists were also adopted and modified by different cultures to fit their own beliefs. This gave birth to a whole new sub-category of birthstone lists that fall under the Traditional Birthstone List. This sub-category is broken down by culture.
* Arabic
This is the Arabic list: Garnet for January, Amethyst for February, Bloodstone for March, Sapphire for April, Emerald for May, Pearl or Chalcedony or Agate for June, Carnelian for July, Sardonyx for August, Chrysolite for September, Aquamarine for October, Topaz for November, and Ruby for December.
* Birthstones in Hebrew
The list followed by the Hebrews is more or less similar to the Arabic list, although some of the stones are in different order.
* Hindu
The Hindu belief has its own unique types of stones, such as the Chandrakanta, the Gold Siva-linga, and the Serpent Stone. These stones are extremely important to the Hindus because they are believed to have special powers. Thus, the Hindus modified the birthstone list by adding these stones.
* Italian and Roman
One of the history’s most powerful empires, Rome, naturally had its own special list. This list was actually different from the list adopted by the rest of the countries in Italy, which just shows that due to the power of the Roman Empire in the past, Rome was usually considered as self-governing.
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