Pearls are very elegant jewels, and many people believe there is symbolism and meaning behind wearing any jewelry that has pearls in it. Throughout history, many famous women, especially celebrities and royalty, have insisted on owning pearl jewelry, and there is little wonder why.
Pearls are exquisite and come in numerous colors, including white, creamy white, light pink, and even black and gray. If you’re curious about what makes pearls so unique and special, keep reading.
Table of Contents
- The Origin of Pearls
- Are Pearls Feminine Jewels?
- The symbolism of Wearing Pearls
- Legends About Pearls
- Conclusion
The Origin of Pearls
Pearls were first mentioned by a Chinese philosopher around 2,200 BCE, and unlike diamonds, sapphires, and emeralds – which are mined underground – pearls have an organic origin because they are “made” by oysters and other mollusks.
They are, in fact, very rare because most mollusks do not contain a pearl inside of their shells. There are both freshwater and saltwater pearls, and they come in a variety of different shapes and hues.
Because the moon is closely associated with the water where pearls are made, many people believe there is a lunar characteristic in pearls, and therefore, they have magical powers and ambiance. In today’s society, it is said that Eve cried tears that turned into pearls after she was thrown out of Eden and that many people eschew “pearls of wisdom.”
Indeed, the pearl is associated with many positive things, which could be yet another reason for its popularity.
Are Pearls Feminine Jewels?
Many people consider pearls to be feminine jewels, as opposed to gems such as diamonds, which have a more masculine connotation. This is one of the reasons why so many brides insist on wearing pearls on their wedding day.
Is it any wonder, therefore, that June is a popular month for weddings and that the pearl is considered the birthstone of the month of June? Regardless of who chooses to wear jewelry made with pearls, certain legends and symbolism are always behind this amazing gem.
In many ancient Asian areas, pearls were considered magical and were said to represent the journey the soul takes when an individual is trying to achieve perfection.
Pearls were said to contain the principles of life, and therefore, many cultures used pearls to decorate various burial gifts that were buried with loved ones as a way to help them along the journey. Even today, the Chinese people love golden pearls because they believe that the pearls bring luck and prosperity to the owners.
Nevertheless, in some cultures, pearls are considered unlucky. Why? Because of the almost violent way that pearls are removed from mollusks, some people assume they will automatically bring bad luck to anyone who owns pearl jewelry.
It is also said that the symbolism changes depending on the heart of the giver. For instance, if the giver has negative emotions in their heart, such as jealousy or malice, the pearls are thought to bring bad luck to the recipient. In contrast, pearls that are given with a pure heart are said to bring fertility, purity, and the cycles of life to the recipient.
The symbolism of Wearing Pearls
In many cultures around the world, there are beliefs that pearls represent certain things, so let’s take a look at some of them.
- In Chinese culture, black pearls are considered a symbol of wisdom.
- In Indian culture, the bride’s father is expected to give pearls as a wedding gift.
- In Japanese culture, it is thought that pearls were created by the tears of creatures such as angels, sirens, and nymphs.
- In Persian culture, the imperfections in pearls are said to result from the thunder and lightning that touched the rainbow after it touched the earth.
- In Greek culture, pearls are thought to represent the tears of the gods and that they stopped girls from crying on their wedding day.
- In Egyptian culture, pearls were valued so much that they were buried with the dead.
- In Christian culture, pearls are associated with purity.
- In Hindu culture, it is said that Krishna or Vishnu gave the very first pearl of the ocean to her daughter on her wedding day.
In many other cultures, pearls are associated with generosity, perfection, beauty, femininity, spirituality, loyalty, the moon, and mourning, so as you can see, this amazing gem has a lot of meanings to just about every culture on the planet.
To superstitious people, it is thought that pearls bring protection, wealth, and good luck to their owners. They are also thought to be calming, improve the relationships of couples, and protect children.
To be sure, pearls have both symbolic and spiritual meanings. While we currently only associate women with pearl jewelry, that hasn’t always been the case. In fact, many ancient kings wore strands of pearls as a sign of their wealth.
Today, pearls symbolize elegance and class, and when you consider their worth and how expensive they are, this is easy to understand. This is why so many wealthy people and so many members of royal families own pearl necklaces, bracelets, and earrings.
Legends About Pearls
There are also some very interesting legends regarding pearls. For example, it is said that Cleopatra took a pearl from one of her earrings, dissolved it in a glass of wine, and drank it. She did this to prove to Marc Anthony that she could consume all of the riches of the population in just one gulp. It is also believed that Oro, the god of fertility and peace, offered a black pearl to his love, Bora Bora, to symbolize his love for her.
Conclusion
Regardless of what you read, you can easily find a lot of different symbolism for the magnificent gem known as a pearl. Because they are so rare and sturdy, you can expect to keep your pearl jewelry for a lifetime. Pearls also tend to keep their value over time, and while most of them are round, they can be other shapes as well.
Pearls symbolize purity, elegance, perfection, and of course, elegance. Wearing pearls can also give you a shot of self-confidence so that you can accomplish your life’s goals, and they are some of the best-looking gems as well.
