Diamonds are associated with wealth and royalty, with love and loyalty. They are commonly the only stones found in wedding rings for these reasons.
They were so beautiful when cut, that they were considered by many in history to be the abode of the Gods. They were used to decorate religious icons and were supersticiously seen to bring good luck to the owner in Roman times.
Hindu religion brought out laws associated with the stones, Kings were allowed to wear diamonds of all colours, Brahims (hindu priests) were allowed clear and colourless stones, Khastriyas (warriors) were allowed stones of brown and red, Vashiyas (landowners) yellow, Shudras (labourers and artisans) grey or black. Outcasts were forbidden to wear any.
They also became a Buddhist symbol of spriritual virtue, Tibetan Buddhism is even called Vajrayana (Diamond vehicle) and the Diamond Sutra is one of the most popular texts in the religion's history.
The Greeks believed they were celestial tears and the Romans that they were splinters of fallen stars.
The Romans were not too far off the truth in their description, Diamonds are usually found where meteorites have hit the earth with huge impact and intense pressure. Meteorites themselves can contain traces of diamonds, and the most ancient, remains of the death of a star, some of which are diamonds produced before the start of the solar system itself.
An extract of The Diamond Sutra...
No comments:
Post a Comment