Pearls in Mythology

The mysterious gem, which earned its title “Queen of Gems”, has attracted the curiosity of man since ancient times. The unique creation of the pearls inside water bodies drove many to wonder about its existence and identity. As a result, most ancient cultures saw them as sacred and high-level creatures attached to gods and angels.

Pearls carried out many legends and symbolism throughout history. Being found while looking for food sources along seashores made it popular in almost most of the sea coastal cities in different regions. Therefore, various myths and legends are attached to pearls.

Probably one of the first myths about pearls is the one attached to Adam & Eve. It says that after they had been punished out from paradise, they cried and created a lake of white & black pearls. So white pearls are Eve’s tears, whereas black pearls are Adam’s tears.

In China, for example, it was believed that pearls came from dragons. Once the dragon’s growth is completed, he would have pearls within his teeth, and you need to kill the dragon to get the pearls. Another legend says that a boy found a pearl, and he tried to hide it from his villagers. When the villagers came to know about he had to eat it and turn it into a dragon.

Japanese, on the other hand, believed that pearls are the tears of mythical creatures such as mermaids, nymphs, and angels.

The imperfection of pearls’ shape is interpreted as per ancient Persian myth that says pearls were created after a storm, and due to strong thunder and lightning caused the misshape the pearls have.

The last of Egypt queens of ancient Egypt, Cleopatra, had two pearls in a pair of earrings. She wanted to prove to Mark Anthony that she was capable of running the most precious feast, so she dissolved one of her pearls inside a glass of vinegar and had it in front of all her guests. This feast was considered the most luxurious and lavish in history as pearls are precious and have been seen as a sign of wealth.

The ancient world in the west did not differ much in appreciating and creating legends about the pearls. For example, the Greeks believed that pearls were given by gods and created with the help of thunders in the heart of oceans. In contrast, coloured pearls were created by a black pearl hitting the rainbow. Therefore, ancient kings wore pearls in necklaces, rings and sometimes on their crowns.

Many ancient civilizations considered pearls raindrops from the sky to the ocean where they were kept safe inside oysters.

Different stories and myths, but in all ancient cultures, pearls were observed as a precious gem used mostly in rings and earrings, among other gold jewellery.

Today, pearls still play an important role in jewellery designs. Many elegant wedding rings, earrings, or necklaces include pearls of various types and colours that add an aesthetic yet lavish look.