Mikimoto Paris joaillerie de la perle de culture, accueil


L'Oiseau du Paradis		MYTHS AND LEGEND SURROUNDING PEARLS
		The hidden soul of oysters.

		Pearls. Gems prized for their purity and the mystery surrounding their origins. Not only have they been objects of fascination since ancient times, they have also been objects of worship throughout the ages.
		The Bible, the Koran and the Talmud all make reference to them. Just like the moon, they are a symbol linked to water and womankind. Their everlasting significance is as remarkable as their universal appeal. Pearls are like women. Rare and precious. Their reputation knows no equal. They were born in a flash of lightning, they are drops of dew in a shell or the teardrops of the moon. They are the quintessential symbol of female creativity. The living proof of celestial activity on the earth. An ancient Persian legend tells that the Prophet explained their creation thus: "God has faithful servants that can be compared to rain, which, when it falls on the earth bears wheat, when it falls on the sea bears pearls." For the Chinese, pearls are the "magic drops of dew that fell into the oyster and held prisoner the light of dawn." A light, which, according to their doctors, would restore the sight of the blind if whole, unpierced pearls were applied to their eyes.
In Europe pearls were once used for treating insanity and melancholy. In India they are the panacea for sickness and haemorrhages while modern Hindu therapy still uses the powder of pearls for its invigorating and aphrodisiac properties. The sexual symbolism of the shell itself is implied in its inherent strength. Since ancient times the Romans saw pearls as the heralds of happiness and pleasure. The Greeks used them as their emblem of love and marriage. In the East their aphrodisiac properties are legendary; whether they are worn as a precious, invigorating talisman, or ground into a fine powder for rubbing into the vital parts of the body. Pearls are the representation of life. From ancient Egypt to Borneo via Laos, they are the companions of the deceased on their long journey to the next world or help them in their quest for resurrection. The American Indians, just like Cleopatra, had no intention of meeting their maker unless they were absolutely sure of having several baskets full of pearls by their side as a reminder of the purity of their lives. Laotians are still buried together with belts, clothes and headgear adorned with pearls. For many philosophers the study of pearls is like the search for the sublime essence hidden in the soul of each of us "the pearl of the ideal".
		In the same way as their ancestors 2000 years ago, women today are still seduced by the mysterious charm of pearls and cannot resist their attraction. These jewels, which are the living symbol of the beauty dreamed of by women the world over, is a true treasure of the sea. A treasure that Kokichi Mikimoto recreated with ingenuity, bringing to life this unique object of marine beauty. A symbol of elegance and purity, this precious and beneficial gem has, thanks to the mystery surrounding its creation, engendered legends and customs around the world. Kokichi Mikimoto proved a hundred years ago that the hand of man could replace that of nature. Far from losing their attraction, these "princess tears" have retained their mystery and the legends that have formed over the centuries hold a meaning for women that time cannot diminish.