Tuesday, May 3, 2011

The Importance and Concept of Diamonds






Diamonds have always carried a particular sort of symbolism throughout history. Today, it is mostly known for its significance in romance - using a diamond ring being the main ring a man ever buys, and provides to the woman he loves.



But a long time before that, diamonds were built with a very different type of symbolism and meaning. For millennia, the traits of diamonds which make them so valuable and so treasured happen to be interpreted by different cultures in different ways, and their strength, hardness, brilliance and wonder have signified various meanings.



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



Halfway worldwide from there, in ancient India diamonds were shown to have magical properties and were of particular religious and mythological significance. Diamonds in India were never cut, because it was declared 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 crucial texts is recognized as the Diamond Sutra.



Since those middle ages times, various other myths and legends have sprung forth around diamonds too. In the Middle Ages, it was thought that diamonds could tell whether someone was innocent or guilty, and that a diamond would darken inside presence of guilt, and shine bright inside presence of innocence.



This remarkable stone has additionally always been believed 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 see, the symbolism and meaning behind Diamond Jewellery has varied throughout history.



Its modern symbolism of romance and marriage only began in 1477 in the event the Archduke Maximilian of Austria gave a hoop to Mary of Burgundy for engagement. Although just before that there happen to be cases of betrothal gifts that involve diamond jewelry including tiaras, brooches, and necklaces - which is the first case of an diamond ring being given upon an engagement.



Naturally - the remaining is history.



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



Who knows what the future holds to the symbolism and concept of diamonds.

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