Amber Gemstone Symbolism Facts & Meaning: Zodiac, Superstitions, Dreams, and Legends
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Amber Gemstone Facts and History
Having been discovered in the Baltic Sea region and displaying warm, sun-like golden hues, the Amber Gemstone has earned the name “Baltic Gold”. It has been a cherished gemstone over the course of centuries by many cultures.
Amber is a dense and sticky substance that naturally flows from ancient tree resin, typically showcasing a range of golden-yellow to brown hues. Due to its distinctive pine and leathery aroma, insects are attracted to Amber as it oozes out of the trees, trapping them in the sticky substance. The preservation of insects within Amber made it the most highly valuable type of Amber, often sold for thousands of dollars.
Amber is one of the oldest gemstones around dating back to almost 50 million years during the Pleistocene and Carboniferous geological periods. It was a highly valued gemstone in many ancient cultures including the Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, and Chinese. Due to Amber’s ability to generate static electricity, the Greeks referred to it as elektron which eventually led to the word “electricity”.
In the Middle Ages, Amber was recognized as a Lithuanian gold due to its rich deposits in the Baltic region. Amber became a symbol of social status and was proudly worn by the upper class, including nobles and aristocrats.
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Amber Gemstone Uses
In ancient times, Amber played a significant role in medicine. In China, it was highly valued for its healing properties, particularly for respiratory and digestive illnesses. Historical records also suggest that ancient Egyptian and Greek doctors were pioneers in using Amber for medicinal purposes.
Throughout the centuries, Amber was recognized for its metaphysical properties, believed to possess the power to relieve stress, manage discomfort, balance emotions, enhance mental clarity, and protect individuals from negative forces.
In the modern period, Amber remains to be a sought-after gemstone among jewelers, creating a variety of pieces including Amber necklaces, rings, pendants, bangles, and more.
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Amber Gemstone Spiritual Meaning and Symbolism
Amber is often associated with the energy of the sun because of its golden yellow hues. This connection leads to the belief that it can soak up negativity and emit a bright, calming energy.
With its relation to the solar plexus chakra, Amber is also considered a grounding stone that promotes a harmonious connection with the Earth, bringing stability and a sense of control to one’s life.
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Amber Gemstone Symbolism of Different Shapes and Forms
Amber, in various forms like tears, beads, and rods, carries distinct symbolism and significance.
During the Viking Age, Amber held great value and importance for the Vikings. They considered it as the tears of their goddess of love and beauty, Freyja, who adorned herself with a necklace made of gold and Amber. This form of Amber could symbolize the transformation of emotional pain and suffering into something beautiful.
Amber beads are commonly worn as jewelry and believed to shield the wearer against negative energies and illnesses while also serving as a sign of both physical and emotional healing.
Amber rods are sleek and elongated, symbolizing clarity and focus. This form of Amber is associated with having the ability to direct one’s thoughts and intentions in a focused manner.
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Amber Gemstone Symbolism in Different Cultures
Amber has been used by many ancient cultures, each assigning their personal symbolism to the gemstone. The Romans believed Amber had the power to ward off evil and protect individuals from malevolent forces.
In Slavic culture, Amber was considered as a protective stone, shielding individuals from negative forces. It played a huge role in religious rituals where it was burned as incense to cleanse the air and invoke divine blessings.
In Native American cultures, Amber was thought of as a sacred gemstone used in spiritual rituals to forge a connection with the spirit realm. These sacred rituals reflect the metaphysical properties associated with Amber.
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Amber Gemstone in Combination with other Gems
Amber is often used in combination with other gemstones to craft jewelry pieces and to tap into the metaphysical properties of the gemstone combinations. Some of the popular combinations with Amber are citrine, sunstone, tiger’s eye, and moonstone.
For instance, combining Amber with moonstone enhances the essence of femininity and promotes emotional balance.
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Amber Gemstone Birthstone and Zodiac Sign
Amber is the designated birthstone for individuals born under the Leo zodiac sign. Leo, being a fixed fire sign ruled by the sun, aligns perfectly with the symbolic connection of Amber to the sun. It enhances strength, courage, and power, which are inherent qualities of Leonians.
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Amber Gemstone in Dreams
When Amber appears in a dream, it symbolizes a heightened spiritual awareness, signifying that one is close to healing in the waking life. It can also symbolize courage and fertility. On the other hand, when an Amber appears to be broken in a dream, it may indicate a feeling of being torn between two problems and having a difficult time figuring out what choices to make.
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Amber Gemstone Omens and Superstitions
There is a belief that the presence of trapped insects in Amber resin forms a direct connection between individuals and the universe. In some cultures, wearing Amber Gemstones around the waist or carrying them in pockets is thought to be beneficial for women trying to get pregnant.
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Amber Gemstone Mythology and Folklore
Many cultures have their own myths and legends about Amber. In Greek mythology, Amber is believed to have formed from the death of Apollo’s son, Phaëton, who drove the sun chariot and scorched the Earth in the process due to his recklessness.
In Baltic mythology, Amber was seen as the tears of Jurate, the sea goddess, who lived in an Amber castle beneath the Baltic Sea. According to the myth, Jurate fell in love with a young mortal fisherman named Kastytis, and her tears were shed over the forbidden nature of their relationship.
In Norse mythology, Amber was associated with Freyja, the goddess of love, beauty, and fertility. The story goes that Freyja, who was married to Odur, the symbol of the summer sun, was out for a walk when she noticed some dwarves crafting a stunning necklace called the Brisingamen. Freyja was so enchanted by the necklace that she agreed to their terms – to wed each of the dwarves for a day and night in exchange for the valuable necklace.
After four days of unfaithfulness, Freyja returned to her palace with the Brisingamen, filled with shame. Loki, the god of mischief, stole the necklace from her and presented it to Odur as evidence of her infidelity. Overwhelmed with pain, Odur left the place and embarked on a journey to distant lands.
Discovering that both her necklace and husband were gone, Freyja went to Valhalla to confess her sins to Odin. Albeit receiving Odin’s forgiveness, she was commanded to wear the necklace for eternity and embark on a lifelong quest to find her lost love, Odur.
According to the myth, as she journeyed across the world, her continuous weeping turned her tears into gold upon touching the earth, and these same tears turned into Amber when they fell into the sea.
