Title:

Birthstones And Their Meanings

Word Count:
1058
Summary:
There are a lot of legends and lore surrounding the practice of wearing birthsto
nes. Many people believe that the idea of wearing birthstones started out as a
marketing ploy by companies selling jewelry, but the reason behind the practice
is much, much deeper than that. The practice of wearing birthstones has deep ro
ots in religion and astrology.
Keywords:
birthstones
Article Body:
There are a lot of legends and lore surrounding the practice of wearing birthsto
nes. Many people believe that the idea of wearing birthstones started out as a
marketing ploy by companies selling jewelry, but the reason behind the practice
is much, much deeper than that. The practice of wearing birthstones has deep ro
ots in religion and astrology.
The Myths Behind the Practice
One of the earliest stories connected to the practice of wearing birthstones com
es from the Christian Bible. In the book of Exodus, the Breastplate of Aaron is
described to have been mounted with twelve precious stones: ruby, topaz, beryl,
turquoise, sapphire, emerald, jacinth, agate, amethyst, chrysolite, onyx and ja
sper. These twelve stones represented each of the twelve tribes of the Hebrews.
Other ancient cultures, the Hellenics and the Babylonians in particular, have as
sociated certain precious stones with their gods and goddesses, and later on wit
h the planets and the stars represented in astrological signs. These stones were
given attributes pertaining to the astrological signs they are linked with, as
well as supernatural, protective powers. To wear the particular gemstone associ
ated with a particular month on that given month is to invoke the protection off
ered by the power of the stone.
Over time and as Christianity came to rise, the Church tried to downplay astrolo
gy in the lives of the flock, and so wearing gemstones came to represent guardia
n angels and the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ instead. The idea that gemston
es have the power to protect its wearer was nonetheless retained. However, sinc
e only wealthy people can afford owning a different gemstone for each month, mos
t people have adopted the practice of wearing just the gemstone that represents
the month of their birth. Since then, these gemstones were referred to as births
tones.
The Meaning behind the Stones
Here are the different birthstones for each month of the Gregorian calendar and
the meaning behind these stones.
1. January. The garnet is the birthstone for the month of January. The bright
red color of the garnet is associated with blood and thus, was thought to bestow
good health upon its wearer. The garnet is also said to provide protection aga
inst nightmares and against the dangers posed by being alone in the dark. A per
son who favors the garnet is said to possess great patience and the capacity to
endure hardships. This person whose birthstone is the garnet is consistent with
his or her deeds and is blessed with a creative mind.
2. February. A person born on the month of February has the amethyst for his or
her birthstone. Amethyst is said to bestow, among other things, peace and clar
ity of the mind to its wearer. This gem also brings him or her a heightened sen
se of self-awareness and intuition.
3. March. For the person born in March, aquamarine is his or her birthstone. T
his stone is said to nurture friendliness in its wearers personality, making him or
her a fierce and loyal comrade and companion. Because of its sea-blue color, t
he aquamarine is said to grant its wearer protection when he or she goes swimmin
g traveling by water.
4. April. The diamond, the stone of strength, longevity and innocence, is the bi
rthstone of people born in April. Because the diamond is the hardest gemstone, i
t symbolizes success and excellence, and is believed to bring forth good fortune
. The diamond is also said to bring forth the purity of its wearer and encourag
es him or her to be truthful always.
5. May. The birthstone of people born in May is the gemstone of peace and heali
ng the emerald. It is believed that wearers of emeralds are granted good health a
nd protection against illness. Wearers of emeralds are also said to have a high
er level of foresight and possess the ability to communicate well with others.
6. June. Pearls, produced by oysters and therefore the only gemstones that came
from a living creature, is the birthstone of people born in June. June is the
month of weddings in the Western world, and so the pearl has come to be associat
ed with successful marriages, as well as with faith, loyalty and tranquility in
life.
7. July. The sanguine ruby is the birthstone for July. Because of its blood-re
d color, the ruby is considered to be the gemstone for courage, strength and vit
ality. It is also said to nurture in its wearer integrity and contentment in hi
s- or herself. The ruby is also said to inspire people to seek harmony with oth
ers.
8. August. People born in August have the peridot as their birthstone. The per
idot is said to bestow a heightened sense of dignity upon its wearer, and to bri
ng upon him or her good fortune. It is also believed to provide its wearer prot
ection against evil intentions and against the terrors of the night.
9. September. Sapphire is the birthstone of September. It is a gemstone that i
s thought to build wisdom and clarity of thought in its wearer, as well as allow
him or her the discernment to see truth no matter how deeply it is buried. The
sapphire also inspires its wearer to develop serenity and tranquility in his or
her soul.
10. October. The birthstone for October is the opal. The opal, with its varyin
g colors, is associated with depth in emotions. A person who wears the opal is
granted the ability to feel deeply for his or her fellow person, to look at life
with hope and to burn subtly with an inner fire.
11. November. Topaz, the birthstone for the month of November, is a gemstone th
at represents health in body as well as health in mind. Wearing the topaz is sa
id to hasten a persons ability to heal his or her own body in times of illness or i
njury. It is also thought to nurture practicality and creativity in its wearer.
12. December. Wearing the turquoise, the birthstone of December, is believed to
bring luck and prosperity to its wearer in time for the coming New Year. The t
urquoise is also said to banish negative vibrations that can hinder the wearers hap
piness and good fortune.
The practice of wearing birthstones goes deeper beyond any marketing ploy. It i
s a practice that has ancient origins, with deep roots in religion and astrology
. Birthstones are versatile gifts to give on any season or occasion. Giving bir
thstones to loved ones shows caring and deep regard.