![]() Some evenings, shortly after dusk, the sky fills with a lilac color at the beginning of the transition from day to night. It is also thought to aid the stranded and/or the struggling. The amethyst’s qualities are said to guide the soul through journeys to another dimension where visibility is low. The gemstone became very popular in jewelry and was used to decorate crosses carried by people. The color purple came to represent a unification of influences. It was believed the stone would protect crops from storms and locusts.ĭuring Europe’s Renaissance-era – from the 14th to the 17th century – the amethyst became a symbol of humility and modesty. Amethyst beads have been found in Anglo-Saxon graves in England. Medieval European soldiers wore amethyst amulets for protection in battle. The name “amethyst” is derived from the Ancient Greek words a, (“not”) and methustos (“intoxicated”), a tribute to the gemstone’s ability to protect its wearer from the effects of alcohol consumption. Related > September Birthstone Blue Sapphire Amethysts for Protection and Transition In the 19th century, Napoleon seized an amethyst bust of the Roman Emperor Trajan when his army conquered Berlin. It was a favorite gemstone of Catherine the Great of Russia. The mummies of Egyptian rulers were entombed with amethysts. The Amethyst and Royaltyīecause the color purple is associated with royalty, throughout history the amethyst has adorned monarch’s crowns, rings, necklaces, and other jewelry. Some Muslim prayer beads are made from amethyst. Tibetan monks dedicated the amethyst to Buddha and used the gemstone for their rosaries. It is the gemstone of the Apostle Matthew.Īs the stone of Catholic clergy, it was used in prelates’ crosses and is featured in the 15th century Papal Ring in Pforzheim’s Jewellery Museum. According to the Old Testament’s Book of Exodus, the amethyst is affiliated with the tribe of Dan, one of the Twelve Tribes of Israel. Moses described it as a symbol of the Spirit of God when it was placed in the original breastplate of the High Priest of the Jews. Symbolic of trust and piety, the amethyst has become associated with different religious faiths. Related > How Light Will Affect Your February Birthstone The Amethyst in Religion His tears stained the white quartz purple. When he saw the beautiful statue Dionysus was so overcome with the guilt he wept. To protect the maiden from the tigers the goddess turned Amethysos into a pure white crystal statue. He met Amethysos, on her way to pay a tribute to Artemis. He created a group of fierce tigers to carry out his promise. ![]() So impressed was Dionysus by Amethysos’s desires to remain pure that he poured wine over the white stone as an offering, turning the stone purple.Ī variation of this myth has a furious Dionysus declaring his intention to kill the next mortal he meets after having been insulted by a mortal. The goddess Artemis granted her wish and changed Amethysos into a white stone. Undeterred, Dionysus continued his pursuit, resulting in Amethysos praying to the gods to help her remain chaste. One myth describes how the goddess Rhea gave Dionysus an amethyst stone to protect him from drunkenness and preserve his sanity.Īccording to Greek mythology Dionysus, the god of wine, became enamored of a young woman called Amethysos, who spurned his attention. Powdered amethyst added to a drink was supposed to protect the drinker from the effects of alcohol. Ancient Greeks believed amethyst had the power to prevent intoxication and carved wine goblets from the purple stone.
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