"There are many myths and legends about the aquamarine stone. The
Romans believed that if the figure of a frog were carved on an
aquamarine, it served to reconcile enemies and make them friends.
Another Roman legend stated that the stone absorbs the atmosphere of
young love: 'When blessed and worn, it joins in love, and does great
things.' Aquamarine was also considered the most appropriate morning
gift to give to a bride by her groom following the consummation of their
marriage. The Greeks and the Romans knew the aquamarine as the sailor’s
gem, ensuring the safe and prosperous passage across stormy seas. In
Medieval times, the stone was thought to reawaken the love of married
couples. It was also believed to render soldiers invincible.
The Sumerians, Egyptians, and Hebrews also admired and valued
aquamarine greatly. It was a symbol of happiness and everlasting youth.
In the Christian era, the aquamarine was identified with the Apostle,
St. Thomas, because it 'imitated the sea and the air' and the Saint 'made long journeys by sea, even to India, to preach salvation.'
Identifying a certain jewel with one of the twelve apostles was a common
practice at that time. William Langland’s 'The Vision Concerning Piers
and the Plowman,' from 1377, mentions the aquamarine as an antidote for
poison. This antidote was widely known throughout Europe. Because there
was a wide amount of poisonings amongst royalty at the time, the gem was
in popular demand just for that purpose. It was not necessary to
pulverize the stone, as it was/ is with other gemstones. Simply wearing
the stone as a pendant or in a ring was just as effective.
Writers of the middle Ages claimed aquamarine was the most popular
and effective of the 'oracle' crystals. When cut as a crystal ball, it
was thought to be a superior stone for fortune telling. Many methods of
using the stone as a divining tool were described in ancient literature.
One method involved hanging a stone by a thread over a bowl of water,
just touching the surface. The inner edge of the bowl was covered with
the characters of the alphabet. The diviner was to hold the top of the
thread and allow the stone to hit certain letters, which would spell out
answers to an important question, sort of like a ouija board. Another
method was to cast a crystal into a bowl of pure water. The disturbances
in the water would reveal messages on the surface of the liquid.
Aquamarine’s powers of revelation were also said to help one in search
for lost or hidden things.
According to folklore, aquamarine would bring victory in battles and
legal disputes. The gem was also credited with curing belching and
yawning and was considered especially effective for curing ailments of
the jaws, throat, stomach, liver and toothaches. Aquamarine was also
used in ceremonies in the belief that it would bring rain when needed,
or visit drought upon their enemies. When worn as an amulet, it was
believed to bring relief of pain and to make the wearer friendlier,
quicken the intellect and cure laziness. The ancient philosopher Pliny
paid tribute to this gem of vitality, stating, 'the lovely aquamarine,
which seems to have come from some mermaid’s treasure house, in the
depths of a summer sea, has charms not to be denied.' ” (1)
"According to some legends, aquamarine is the treasure of mermaids,
with the power to keep sailors safe. Supposedly its' powers are
particularly strong when immersed in water. While on land, it is said to
have a soothing influence on married couples. The ancient Romans
believed that the Aquamarine was sacred to Neptune, the god of the sea,
having fallen from the jewel boxes of sirens and washed onto shore.
Early sailors wore aquamarine talismans, engraved with the likeness of
Neptune, as protection against dangers at sea." (2)
Information shared from:
(1)www.jewelsforme.com
(2)www.hubpages.com/hub/Myths-and-Legends-about-Gemstones.com
