Gemstones are a unique creation of nature. Over the centuries man has assumed that gemstones have magical and healing properties. This belief has little scientific rationale,but it has existed for centuries. Among the gemstones is Coral. It is one of the oldest gemstones known to man and has been part of human life and culture for hundreds of years right from ancient civilizations to the present age.
The coral gem is harvested from the sea and is in abundance only in certain areas of the oceans. Man has invested the coral gem with magical properties. Superstition, we know is an irrational belief that is ingrained in the mind of a man.It is something that cannot be wished away. In addition the cornerstone of superstition the final destiny of man which is death lends an impetus to these beliefs. Coral gems are thought to be a safeguard against the effects of the devil as well as a panacea for cure of various ailments.
Corals and their use have been part of religious beliefs for centuries. This is more so in the Buddhist Religion where the lamas revere the Coral and use it for their rituals. The use of Coral for making rosary beads and also as a talisman against evil spells, witchcraft and the devil has been going on for ages. For it to be effective it is supposed to be worn against the skin so that the gem can transmit its vibrations to the concerned person. The Egyptians. The Romans and Etruscans all had great regard for coral. It was part of their beliefs in an age long passed.
The Romans in particular gave great importance to the purported magical properties of the coral.It was supposed to be an antidote against snake bite and snake poison. In addition coral was thought of as a cure for nightmares and fainting fits. Matrimonial harmony between a husband and his wife was also supposed be established if the couple wore Coral gems.
Another aspect of marital life Sterility was explained since time immemorial as the work of the Devil. Over the years people developed a thought that wearing the Coral gem could be an antidote for sterility. Thus sterile women would wear the coral gem and then copulate with their husbands in the hope of getting a child. This belief persisted for a long time.
Over the centuries coral gems are supposed to have inherent medicinal and curative powers.Thus small babies if decked with coral are supposed to give the babies immunity against fits and whooping cough.Ulcers and sores are also thought to be cured by coral.In addition gums and teeth are supposed to be made stronger by rubbing of coral on them. Even insanity was thought could be prevented by wearing coral on the body.Its effect on pains in the body was also thought to be profound.
Red Coral is thought to have a special association with ships and oceans. Ships caught up in a storm are supposed to steer clear if red coral is decorated in some way on the ship. Another superstition that just grew concerns wearing white coral which was supposed to imbibe modesty in the woman.Many writers have accepted the magical properties of coral. Among them Sir Hugh Platt (1552 - 1608), a writer on agriculture and inventor in his book Jewel-House of Art and Nature has alluded to the magical properties of coral. He has accepted as fact that the color of the coral is directly related to the health of the wearer. If it assumes a pale color, then the wearer must be sick. Scott Cunningham a writer on witch craft in his treatise Discovery of Witchcraft also tried to give a rationale to these beliefs and witchcraft.
Coral also is associated with numerology. The number 2 which is one of the primary numbers is supposed to represent the coral gem. Coral gems for centuries have been associated with some form of superstition. It is a moot point whether man has got out his own dogma on superstition.
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