Ruby Gemstone Symbolism Facts & Meaning: Zodiac, Superstitions, Dreams, and Legends
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Ruby Gemstone Facts and History
Ruby is a precious gemstone that has been admired for its beauty and durability for centuries. It is a variety of mineral corundum, which is one of the hardest minerals on Earth, with a Mohs scale rating 9 out of 10. Its chemical designation is aluminum oxide, where in its pure form, is colorless. Due to the amount of chromium in Ruby’s crystal structure, this has made its color red. This is the same element which provides Rubies their fluorescence, making their colors brighter and glowing.
Rubies are formed deep within the Earth’s surface under intense heat and immense pressure conditions. They are usually found in igneous or metamorphic rock formations and typically mined in countries like Myanmar, Cambodia, and Sri Lanka. In fact, Rubies were first found in the Mogok region of Burma, which is now called Myanmar. Stone Age tools have been discovered alongside it, signifying its antiquity.
Rubies have been valued since ancient times. They were highly prized by the Indian maharajas and believed to have magical properties. In ancient Sanskrit scripture, the Ruby was called “ratnaraj,” which means “king of precious stones.” In Biblical text, the gemstone appeared four times where it was particularly associated with wisdom and beauty.
In determining its value, Rubies are actually graded based on its color, clarity, and its cut. The carat weight is the fourth thing that affects the price of the stone, but it is not a constant for grading. Rubies were highly valued in ancient times, and that continued up to the present day, where they sell for the highest price per carat of any colored gemstone.
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Ruby Gemstone Uses
Just like any other gemstones, Rubies are commonly used in a variety of jewelry pieces, including rings, necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. Due to their incredible strength and red fluorescence, both natural and synthetic ones are used in a variety of applications, including watchmaking, medical instruments, and lasers.
In addition, Rubies contain mystical uses, such as protecting the owner or wearer from negative thoughts and experiences, promoting clear thinking, and enabling the subconscious to collaborate with the conscious mind. Moreover, Rubies are believed to purify the blood, combat infection, promote fertility and wealth, and prevent hunger.
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Ruby Gemstone Spiritual Meaning and Symbolism
Rubies have long been associated with love, passion, and vitality. In some spiritual traditions, Rubies are believed to have the power to enhance one’s energy and increase their life force. They are also thought to bring courage, strength, confidence to the wearer, as well as granting protection.
For centuries, Rubies are cherished greatly by royalty, explorers, warriors, and collectors. They have been regarded as a source of power and a talisman of wisdom and health for their wearer.
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Ruby Gemstone Symbolism of Different Shapes and Forms
Different shapes and forms of Rubies have different symbolic meanings. For example, a round Ruby is said to represent the sun, which makes it ideal for rings as it is deeply meant to signify infinity or an everlasting presence. A square-cut Ruby is said to represent stability and balance, while a pear-shaped Ruby is said to represent emotional openness and receptivity.
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Ruby Gemstone Symbolism in Different Cultures
Early cultures valued Rubies because of their deep red color, which looked like the color of blood. They also thought that Rubies had the power of life and stood for the strongest emotions on both ends of the spectrum: anger and love.
In Hinduism, Rubies are seen as a representation of the sun and linked to the god Surya. It is said to be an internal flame that no one can put out, making it a powerful and spiritual gift in honoring their holy beings.
In ancient Rome, Rubies were associated with the god of war, Mars, and were thought to bring victory to the wearer. In medieval Europe, Rubies were associated with royalty and often used to decorate the crowns and scepters of kings and queens. It was worn to bring health, wealth, wisdom, and success in love.
In China, Rubies were thought to bring good luck because red is a lucky color. They were also worn to attract people to the person who wore them, claiming that their charisma and the energy of the stone would make others fall in love with them.
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Ruby Gemstone in Combination with other Gems
Rubies are often combined with other gemstones, such as diamonds, sapphires, and emeralds, to create beautiful and unique jewelry pieces. When combined with diamonds, Rubies can create a stunning contrast of color and light.
In addition, Rubies are paired with other stones to maximize its energy and symbolism. For instance, a combination of sapphire and Ruby would symbolize a powerful union in marriage or relationships, making it ideal to be worn as rings. Another is when combined with pearls, such pairing can help if one is feeling lost, apathetic, and disconnected from oneself.
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Ruby Gemstone Birthstone and Zodiac Sign
Ruby is the birthstone for the month of July and associated with the zodiac sign of Cancer. It is believed to bring good luck and prosperity to those born under this sign.
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Ruby Gemstone in Dreams
In some spiritual traditions, Rubies are believed to appear in dreams as a symbol of love, passion, and vitality. Dreaming of Rubies can be a sign of good luck and prosperity.
The most common dreams associated to mean of positive changes or events that are ahead of you is when you dream of receiving Ruby, you are surrounded by Rubies, or even losing a Ruby.
As Ruby symbolizes happiness, enlightenment and love, receiving one is a good sign that success is coming your way, while being surrounded could mean financial wealth. For the latter, although it might seem bad and unfavorable to lose the precious stone, the dream is an indication that you have the opportunity to save or store your finances for future use.
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Ruby Gemstone Omens and Superstitions
Rubies have been associated with a number of superstitions throughout history. In some cultures, it is believed that Rubies can protect the wearer from evil spirits and bring good luck. In other cultures, it is believed that Rubies can bring bad luck if they are not worn correctly or if they are given as a gift.
In India, they thought that people who owned Rubies could get along with their enemies. In Burma, now Myanmar, warriors used Rubies to make them unbeatable in battle where they actually had to put them inside their bodies and not just merely wear them.
Other superstitions reside on protection and vitality such that in ancient China, important buildings were protected by burying Rubies under them.
Moreover, in the 15th and 16th centuries, people thought that Rubies could protect against poison. They were also thought to bring back youth and vitality when rubbed on the skin.
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Ruby Gemstone Mythology and Folklore
In mythology, Rubies have been associated with various gods and goddesses, and believed to possess powerful spiritual properties. According to Hindus, Rubies were the stones that people offered to the god, Krishna. For them, giving a big and beautiful stone could result in being reincarnated as an emperor, while giving the contrary will result in a reincarnation as king.
In ancient Greek mythology, Rubies were believed to have been created by the god of fire, Hephaestus, due to their belief that Rubies were so hot that their warmth could melt wax. The ancient Greeks believed that Rubies possessed the power to bring peace and calm to the wearer, and were often used as talismans to ward off evil spirits.
In medieval European mythology, Rubies were associated with the blood of Jesus and believed to possess magical powers. They were often used in religious ceremonies and believed to have the power to bring good fortune and prosperity to those who possessed them.
Conclusively, Rubies have been enriched with various uses and significance in different cultures, which in turn has maximized its value, not just physically, but in other properties as well.
