Mankind's Fascination For Gold: How Do Different Cultures See Gold
The noblest and most precious metal of all times - GOLD - has been associated since ancient times with divinity, royalty, immortality, and perfection.
Gold has stopped and started conflicts. It was a motive for murder or revenge. It kept monarchies and empires alive. It was the mirage that drove the explorers to new continents.
Gold is a ubiquitous symbol in human history, a way of preserving value, a precious metal that has changed its meanings from one period to another and from one region to another. No other metal has had such a revolutionary impact on the evolution of mankind.
Different cultures of the world have linked the precious yellow metal with universal concepts and values such as vitality, life, health, wisdom, light, virtue, union, and, obviously, prosperity. Opulence and luxury have always been linked to the presence of gold, as have the concepts of monarchy and aristocracy.
Gold In The Eyes Of Different Cultures
Wearing gold jewelry in the form of various ornaments and adornments has always been the prerogative of kings, emperors, and rulers. The Chinese considered it the perfect metal.
According to some cultures, the flesh of the Gods is made of gold. Traditional images of the Buddha, whether paintings or statues, were gilded, a sign of enlightenment and absolute perfection, while Byzantine-style Orthodox icons also had a gilded background.
In ancient India, the Brahmins believed that gold was "mineralized light". It is defined as a product of solar, even divine, fire.
Among the Uralic peoples, gold was closely related to the great serpent of the earth, the mythical reptile being the guardian of the precious metal. The deity in the form of the serpent often appeared adorned with a golden crown or in the form of a charming man, dressed entirely in yellow, with black eyes, skin, and hair.
The religious concepts and symbolism of gold are also ubiquitous among the ancient Jews. In the Old Testament, Abraham was a particularly wealthy person who possessed large quantities of gold and silver. Other references come from the time when Moses was the prophet of his own people. And in the New Testament, gold retains its value, being found among the gifts given to the infant Jesus by the magi.
In Greek tradition, gold evokes the sun and all the symbolism associated with the star of the day: wealth, fertility, love, dedication, the home of light, knowledge. Apollo, the Sun-god, wore golden robes and wore golden weapons.
Similarly, the Druids, the priests of the Celtic peoples, only cut the coveted mistletoe from oak with a golden sickle.
Gold Is A Symbol Of Eternity
When people discovered the yellow metal's resistance, they started to consider it a symbol of eternity and perfection. Gold jewelry displays much longer longevity than other jewelry.
Gold is a metal with an exceptional lifespan. It offers excellent resistance to oxidation, corrosion, acids, decomposition and does not rust in direct contact with seawater or freshwater. The only solution to change the look of gold is ... to melt it!
Wearing gold jewelry or ornaments on a daily basis would, in the view of initiates, lead to increased charisma, courage, and the ability to lead others. On the same note, wearing gold chains or necklaces is believed to maintain the wearer's optimal health, increase self-confidence and optimism, and improve social prestige.
Check out now DSF Antique Jewelry collection and choose the perfect gold piece! Be it vintage or antique, we surely have what you are looking for.
Gold has stopped and started conflicts. It was a motive for murder or revenge. It kept monarchies and empires alive. It was the mirage that drove the explorers to new continents.
Gold is a ubiquitous symbol in human history, a way of preserving value, a precious metal that has changed its meanings from one period to another and from one region to another. No other metal has had such a revolutionary impact on the evolution of mankind.
Different cultures of the world have linked the precious yellow metal with universal concepts and values such as vitality, life, health, wisdom, light, virtue, union, and, obviously, prosperity. Opulence and luxury have always been linked to the presence of gold, as have the concepts of monarchy and aristocracy.
Gold In The Eyes Of Different Cultures
Wearing gold jewelry in the form of various ornaments and adornments has always been the prerogative of kings, emperors, and rulers. The Chinese considered it the perfect metal.
According to some cultures, the flesh of the Gods is made of gold. Traditional images of the Buddha, whether paintings or statues, were gilded, a sign of enlightenment and absolute perfection, while Byzantine-style Orthodox icons also had a gilded background.
In ancient India, the Brahmins believed that gold was "mineralized light". It is defined as a product of solar, even divine, fire.
Among the Uralic peoples, gold was closely related to the great serpent of the earth, the mythical reptile being the guardian of the precious metal. The deity in the form of the serpent often appeared adorned with a golden crown or in the form of a charming man, dressed entirely in yellow, with black eyes, skin, and hair.
The religious concepts and symbolism of gold are also ubiquitous among the ancient Jews. In the Old Testament, Abraham was a particularly wealthy person who possessed large quantities of gold and silver. Other references come from the time when Moses was the prophet of his own people. And in the New Testament, gold retains its value, being found among the gifts given to the infant Jesus by the magi.
In Greek tradition, gold evokes the sun and all the symbolism associated with the star of the day: wealth, fertility, love, dedication, the home of light, knowledge. Apollo, the Sun-god, wore golden robes and wore golden weapons.
Similarly, the Druids, the priests of the Celtic peoples, only cut the coveted mistletoe from oak with a golden sickle.
Gold Is A Symbol Of Eternity
When people discovered the yellow metal's resistance, they started to consider it a symbol of eternity and perfection. Gold jewelry displays much longer longevity than other jewelry.
Gold is a metal with an exceptional lifespan. It offers excellent resistance to oxidation, corrosion, acids, decomposition and does not rust in direct contact with seawater or freshwater. The only solution to change the look of gold is ... to melt it!
Wearing gold jewelry or ornaments on a daily basis would, in the view of initiates, lead to increased charisma, courage, and the ability to lead others. On the same note, wearing gold chains or necklaces is believed to maintain the wearer's optimal health, increase self-confidence and optimism, and improve social prestige.
Check out now DSF Antique Jewelry collection and choose the perfect gold piece! Be it vintage or antique, we surely have what you are looking for.
