Lapis Lazuli | Why Ancient Egyptian Pharaohs Loved Lapis Lazuli
The History of Lapis Lazuli: A Gem from the Stars, Illuminating the Path of Kings
In the temple murals and golden masks of ancient Egypt, the deep blue of lapis lazuli was always the most striking feature. It was not only a talisman for the pharaohs but also a tool for priests to connect with divine wisdom. From the Book of the Dead, which had been passed down through millennia in ancient Egypt, to the golden mask of Tutankhamun, lapis lazuli was regarded as a "gem of heaven," symbolizing wisdom, protection, and power.
Lapis lazuli was a gemstone reserved for royalty and priests; only those who had contact with the gods and bore the responsibility of guiding souls were qualified to wear it. Lapis lazuli was cut into the shape of an eye and plated with gold to create the "eye of the soul," granting the wearer the ability to see the future. It was also ground into powder and used as eyeshadow for ancient Egyptian women, making their eyes shine like stars, symbolizing the third eye, bestowing wisdom and protection.
Lapis lazuli was not only found in ancient Egypt, but also in the seals and ornaments of the Assyrian and Babylonian kingdoms. Legend has it that the tablets of the Ten Commandments were carved from lapis lazuli. In medieval Europe, many royal castles had their windows and door frames inlaid with lapis lazuli, as people believed this mystical blue color could ward off evil spirits and misfortune.
Lapis lazuli was also regarded as an extremely precious gemstone in ancient China. Its ancient names included Qiulin, Jinjing, Jinyu, and Qingdai. In Buddhism, it is called "Venusi" or "Biliuli" and is one of the seven treasures of Buddhism. It is believed to bring the power of wisdom and compassion.
All this evidence tells us that lapis lazuli was once a gemstone that symbolized holiness and wisdom in human civilization.
Lapis lazuli benefits | People who are suitable to wear lapis lazuli
The blue color of lapis lazuli is a projection of the profound universe and the spiritual world, representing the light of wisdom, intuition, and truth. From ancient times to the present, lapis lazuli has been regarded as a powerful spiritual gemstone, with benefits including:
Enhance intuition and insight
Lapis lazuli is the gemstone of the third eye chakra, which can help open inner intuition and connect with the higher self, and is suitable for meditation (lapis lazuli meditation).
Lapis lazuli is suitable If you are pursuing spiritual growth and want to enhance your intuition
If you feel you're at a turning point in your life, wanting to open your inner "third eye," enhance your insight, and find your own direction, then lapis lazuli will be your guardian stone. It can help you connect with universal wisdom, break through the fog, allow you to see the truth behind appearances, and find clearer answers.
Promote expression and communication
Wearing lapis lazuli can improve throat chakra energy, making speech more fluent and encouraging you to speak your true thoughts.
Lapis lazuli is suitable If you need to improve your confidence in interpersonal communication...
Lapis lazuli strengthens the throat chakra, making it suitable for wearing when clear expression is needed, such as in public speaking, interviews, negotiations, or when sharing your thoughts. Whether you are a recent graduate, a leader, or a creator, lapis lazuli can help you express your innermost feelings bravely, empower your voice, and speak your true self.
Balance emotions and release stress
Lapis lazuli has the effect of stabilizing emotions and relieving anxiety, making thoughts clearer. It is suitable for people who seek harmony in interpersonal relationships or emotions.
Lapis lazuli is suitable If you are prone to anxiety and easily influenced by external factors, and need to stabilize your emotions...
When the outside world is chaotic, emotions are easily swayed, or stress is so great that it's hard to concentrate, lapis lazuli can become your "energy shield," helping you block out negative energy and stabilize emotional fluctuations. Like a deep blue lake, it makes you feel calm and powerful, suitable for long-term wear, helping you learn to maintain inner balance amidst chaos.
Symbolizing wisdom and divine energy
In ancient times, lapis lazuli was regarded as "the gemstone of the gods," suitable for souls that need to inspire creativity and explore the depths of their hearts.
Lapis lazuli is suitable for multimedia creators who love ancient civilizations, are starting a business, and need creative inspiration.
If you appreciate unique, soulful gemstones that go beyond mere aesthetics, then lapis lazuli is a worthwhile collectible. It's not just a beautiful blue gemstone, but also a microcosm of human civilization, an energy blessing passed down from ancient Egypt, Babylon, and European royalty. Wearing it is like possessing an ancient protective legend.
How to care for lapis lazuli? Lapis lazuli hardness and cleaning methods.
Lapis lazuli has a hardness of about 5-5.5 (Mohs hardness), which is a medium to soft gemstone. It is easily scratched by friction, so avoid collisions, drops, and placing it with other harder gemstones (such as lapis lazuli phoenix stone, amethyst, etc.) when wearing it.
How to care for lapis lazuli:
- Wipe the surface with a soft cloth and avoid using chemical cleaners.
- Avoid prolonged contact with water, perfumes, and chemicals; store in a dry place.
- It can be purified by placing it in clear quartz or under moonlight to restore its energy.
How to distinguish real from fake lapis lazuli?
Fake lapis lazuli is commonly found on the market, often made from dyed calcite , dyed marble , or synthetic glass .
✅Hot water test : Soak the lapis lazuli in hot water at about 50 degrees Celsius for 10 minutes to remove any wax and pigment that may be trapped on the surface.
Image courtesy of "North American Savings Express" user Magician Tea Tea
✅Alcohol wiping method : Spray with alcohol and wipe, or soak directly in alcohol or nail polish remover, and observe whether blue dye dissolves. If dissolution occurs, it is very likely that the lapis lazuli has been dyed.
✅Observe the color : Natural lapis lazuli usually has varying shades of blue. It exhibits golden pyrite flecks and occasional white calcite veins, with a calm and substantial texture. If the color is too uniformly bright and lacks flecks... Flawless or overly lightweight products are often synthetic.
✅Touch and weight : Lapis lazuli feels heavier, cool and delicate, while plastic or glass imitations are lighter and lack the cool feel.
✅Origin Considerations : Top-quality lapis lazuli comes from Afghanistan, followed by Pakistan, Angola, Myanmar, Chile, and other regions. The most precious is deep blue lapis lazuli with no obvious yellow or white impurities, known as "all-blue" lapis lazuli.
Is it okay to wear lapis lazuli to sleep?
Lapis lazuli has strong energy, especially for those who are beginning spiritual awakening or meditating. Wearing it to bed at night may cause overactivity of the brain and lead to insomnia. If you are energy-sensitive, it is recommended to remove your lapis lazuli before bed and wear it during the day to maintain energy balance.
Is lapis lazuli valuable?
Lapis lazuli has been a precious gemstone since ancient times. High-quality lapis lazuli (deep in color, containing golden pyrite, and without excessive white veins) is particularly valuable to collectors, with prices varying depending on rarity, origin (Afghan lapis lazuli is the most famous), and purity. High-quality lapis lazuli is suitable for jewelry and art collection, and due to its rich cultural and historical significance, it has long been favored by collectors and spiritual enthusiasts.
Lapis lazuli is a bridge connecting ancient mythology and modern spiritual growth, suitable for souls seeking inner wisdom and stable energy. It's more than just a blue gemstone; it's a sacred story passed down from ancient Egypt, a blue light protecting your soul.