Pearls are one of the most well-known gems on the planet, and many of us are amazed at their puzzling silky beauty.
Yet, even though most know that pearls come from marine species like oysters, few are those that know about Pearl symbolism.
This article aims to explore this topic and answer the question: what do pearls symbolize?
First of all, let us clarify the distinction between pearls and gemstones, such as rubies, emeralds, and sapphires.
In fact, ancient civilizations made no distinction between the two, and pearls were thought to be gemstones for the longest time.
However, when looking at actual gemstones, they are now known to have a mineral origin, meaning that they were made from rock through contact with water.
The water wears the rock down, taking its minerals to deeper layers of the Earths surface.
Then, after dozens of thousand years of constant pressure and compression, the minerals assemble, and gemstones are made.
On the other hand, the story is very different for pearls, because they are made by living things.
It is believed that some species of oysters, clams, and mussels secrete a fluid when an irritant makes its way through their shells, as a means to cover and neutralize it.
As layers of that fluid accumulate over the years, their deposits stack on top of each other, eventually giving birth to a pearl.
Knowing the origin of pearls begs the question of the meaning and symbolism surrounding these beautiful gems.
This article begins by exploring the spiritual meaning of pearls.
Spiritual Meaning of Pearls
Purity
One of the main symbolisms of pearls is purity. Their whiteness, spotlessness and homogeneous aspects further enhance the angelic purity that pearls evoke.
According to Greek mythology, pearls come from the birth of Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty.
Indeed, she was born from the oceans foam, and as she emerged, small droplets of water fell from her body and crystallized to become pearls.
In this very romantic myth, the purity of pearls is rooted in its origin from the birth of the Goddess of love and beauty.
As such, pearls symbolize divine purity and emanate a feeling of saintliness.
This is how they are believed to cleanse ones aura from negative and unwanted energies and to make it glowy and clear.
Wisdom
Pearls are very often linked to the wisdom that is obtained through direct experience. This relates to the way that pearls are formed.
Indeed, mollusks and oysters produce pearls by protecting themselves from irritants across many different instances.
Through the experiences of a lifetime, a gem -or wisdom- is born.
As the world-renown filmmaker, Frederico Fellini, once put it, All art is autobiographical, the pearl is the oysters autobiography.
Our own lives are similar: it is our experiences, especially the most challenging ones, that create our inner wisdom, an intangible gem that only we have access to.
Eternal Life
The white color of pearls, their gleam, and their radiance made Hindus believe that they can foster energy flow in the Crown Chakra, located at the scalp of the head.
As the 7th and highest of chakras, it is said to be connected to our spiritual or higher self. This chakra is what links us to the undying universe and all of its spiritual entities.
In fact, it represents a pure consciousness that is devoid of time and space, a glimpse into the infinite and eternal oneness found behind everything that is.
As pearls exacerbate the 7th chakra, it makes us more in touch with this aspect of us, which was long forgotten by many of us.
The pearl symbolism in the bible is also associated with eternal life, as it demonstrates the incommensurable value of the Kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 13:45-46, The Parable of the Pearl).
Healing
Pearls are used by some practitioners for their healing properties on the body.
Some experts on the matter believe that pearls can help balance hormones and bodily rhythms in concordance with the moon, to restore harmony between man and nature.
The effects that are often discussed are improvements in digestive functions, an increase in fertility and easier childbirth.
Moreover, the process through which pearls are made is tedious and slow. Yet, from a bigger frame, creatures like oysters turn irritants into a gem, just like we can shift our problems into opportunities to better ourselves.
This transformative process is the core of what healing is: taking the challenges that life throws at us and turning them into precious wisdom.
As such, pearls can reduce nervousness and anxiety, and help you dim a pessimistic inner voice in favour of a brighter one.
Protection
According to a few spiritual healers, wearing pearls is a means to foster our protection against negative energies from this world and beyond.
This is believed to happen by creating a stronger bridge between the spiritual and the material. It can help us reconnect to our spirit guides and guardian angels, whose goals are to…
Click here to read this complete article.
