04/07/2026
TODAY'S LEARNING
Ancient Healing Stones: The Origins Of Crystals
Ancient Sumerians
The Ancient Sumerians valued gemstones not only for jewelry-making but also for healing rituals.
Inanna, their Goddess of Love, was depicted entering the underworld with a Lapis Lazuli necklace and a rod for protection. This was thought to be the deity's crystal, bringing light and joy to whoever held it.
Puabi, a Sumerian princess, was buried with gemstone beads covering her upper body to protect her soul and to attract positive energies to keep her safe from the darkness. Carnelian and lapis lazuli were among the stones.
Ancient Egyptians
Egypt is one of the most popular ancient cultures from which we can learn today. Cleopatra was such a fan of gemstones that she had an entire collection of Emerald and Lapis Lazuli stones.
Crystals were common in Ancient Egypt and were used to both improve the health of the living and protect the souls of the dead.
Egyptians would place pieces of Quartz on the deceased's forehead as part of their burying rituals to illuminate their path in the afterlife.
Crystals were used by the living to increase personal allure and sexuality, bring good luck and health, and improve intuition.
Gemstones were a popular spiritual tool for balancing the Ka (life force) and Ba (non-physical traits of a person) energies.
They believed that each crystal possessed its own Ka, and thus the ability to strengthen the Ka of any Egyptian.
Even royalty used ground Lapis Lazuli in their eye makeup to help open the Third Eye and achieve illumination and greater wisdom.
Ancient Chinese
Ancient cultures, such as the Chinese, were ahead of their time when it came to using crystals in what is now known as alternative medicine. Crystals were used to balance one's life force and heal the Prana.
Acupuncture was performed by the Chinese using needles made of gemstones. Green jade was their power symbol.
It was extremely valuable to them and was used to attract and protect wealth, so it is not surprising that many emperors were buried with these pieces. Some wore entire suits of Jade armor.
This gemstone was also used to treat digestive and urinary tract issues, particularly those affecting the gallbladder and kidneys.
Ancient Japanese
Crystals were used for prophetic and psychic practices in Japan, emphasizing their connection to human intuition. It was thought that gazing at a crystal, or scrying could help the scryer foresee events and receive psychic visions.
Quartz, also known as the dragon's heart, was used to attract greater wisdom and knowledge. Even today, this is one of its applications.
Ancient Greeks
In Greek, Krustallos means "ice." Not only does the word crystal have Greek origins, but the Greeks believed that quartz was a form of eternal ice bestowed upon them as a gift from the Gods.
They used a wide variety of gemstones, many of which are still popular today, such as Amethyst for promoting mental clarity and sobriety.
Rose Quartz was known as the "Eternal Love Stone." In Greek mythology, he was created from the blood of the dying Adonis and Aphrodite while she was holding him.
The Greeks believed that rubbing ground Hematite on soldiers' skin before going into battle would make them invincible. Aquamarine was one of the first crystals used by sailors for good luck on the high seas.
Tibetan Buddhists
It's no wonder that Tibetan Buddhists used crystals for healing and meditation purposes. Gemstones bring peace, harmony, and light, so they naturally found a place among them for these properties.
Quartz, particularly spherical Quartz was considered holy and was used to calm the mind and help them reconnect with the higher power.
Quartz crystal families in general, including Smoky Quartz, Rose Quartz, and Amethyst were all used for spiritual and awakening purposes.
The main crystal used in medicine was Lapis Lazuli. Meditation with this crystal was believed to enhance health and help heal the mind, the body, and the spirit.
