Some geologists and historians place the mining of turquoise by humans to have first occurred nearly 9,000 years ago! With that much history behind it, the turquoise stone carries with it quite a bit of lore...
Turquoise Myths and Healing Properties
One of the most popular beliefs surrounding turquoise actually spans across the Atlantic Ocean. Both the Native Americans in the American southwest and European horsemen in the 13th century believed that turquoise would improve all the necessary physical, and athletic skills that were necessary for warriors to succeed in battle, specifically in situations where your mind, and your body must work together in harmony. Apache warriors used to attach turquoise to their bows, holding the belief that the stone would improve their accuracy, while horseman in the middle ages would wear in as a charm when horseback riding, believing it would bless them with better riding talents, and protect them from falling off the horse. Turquoise is known to improve all physical activities that would benefit from the mind being in a meditative state.
Perhaps the idea that turquoise gives its wearer better accuracy, both with a bow, and on a horse stems from the belief that the stone can increase mental clarity, and improve concentration. The soothing color of the stone is believed to calm the mind, and eliminate all stress, allowing the mind to focus better, and in effect it allows the mind and the body to operate more fluidly, eliminating all of the tension that creates an obstacle for mind-body cohesion.
Turquoise is also a stone that connects the physical world, with the spiritual world. It is used in many cultures as a burial ornament, guiding, and protecting the newly departed souls to their destination in the afterlife. Certain cultures native to the Southwestern United States, and Mexico, would carve turquoise stones into the shape of animals, and place them in the graves of their loved ones who had passed – the belief was that the green and blue of the turquoise stone would serve as a transition from the green of the earth into the blue of the heavens, and the animal would be their guide during the journey. The ancient Egyptians also believed that turquoise would assist the departed into their transition into the next life. King Tutankhamun's was constructed mainly of turquoise. If you look at the mask today, you will see its color is as vibrant as the day the revered king was buried – perhaps in that thought lies another reason why turquoise is used to honor the dead, even after thousands of years properly treated turquoise keeps its color, just like we keep our memories of those who have passed away.
You’ll notice all of the aforementioned theories of turquoise tend to be focused around its ability to bridge two ideas –mind and body, life and death, earth and sky – but also it has the ability to bond to people together. Both in Russia, and Tibet, turquoise rings are given to brides as a symbol of marital prosperity, and they are believed to allow for more cohesiveness in the family unit.
According to the world of metaphysics, turquoise, especially when worn as a bracelet, is known to ease the pain, and discomfort that goes along with arthritis, it is also said to emanate a balancing energy. It is also known to promote the following: overall hapiness, good fortune in love, fininicial prosperity, creativity, intuition, meditative states, peace of mind, and comfort in unknown or new situations
With all of these stories, myths, beliefs, and lore swirling around turquoise, it would make an absolutely great gift. In fact throughout many cultures, turquoise is generally given as a gift, and would only impart its healing, and mystical properties to one who received it as a gift. Not only can give someone special a beautiful piece of jewelry that they will cherish for a long time, but you can also tell them a little story about why you gave it to them, making the gift more personal, more thoughtful, and more unique. Turquoise is also the western birthstone for the month of December, so it makes a great, and affordable birthday gift for those “around the holiday” birthdays, which are always tricky to find gifts for.
