Native Americans have traditionally used a variety of stones to create jewelry and other items, but Turquoise is the most popular. Turquoise is a stone that has been around for thousands of years. The significance of turquoise in Native American Culture has existed since before recorded history. Further, it is best known for its use in Authentic Native American jewelry and other items, but it can also be found in many other cultures worldwide.
The name “turquoise” comes from the French term “turquerie,” which indicates “Turkish color.” This term was originally used to refer to the deep blue color of the lapis lazuli stone, which was imported from Afghanistan and Persia (now Iran). However, over time it came to be applied to any blue-green mineral similar to lapis lazuli.
The natural form of Turquoise consists primarily of hydrated copper and aluminum phosphate minerals. The copper content in Turquoise is usually just below the level that would cause it to change color due to oxidation.
Now that you have learned a lot about Turquoise let’s look at the significance of Turquoise in Native American culture and why Navajo turquoise jewelry is popular among native Americans.
What Does Turquoise Mean In Native American Culture?
When talking about the significance of Turquoise in Native American culture, the first query that pops up in our mind is, when was Turquoise discovered? Well, the earliest evidence of turquoise gemstones comes from ancient Egyptian tombs, which include beautiful turquoise jewelry going back to 3000 BCE. Egyptians put Turquoise in gold necklaces and rings, used it as inlay, and carved it into scarabs.
The Native Americans believe that the Earth is a living person and that everything in nature is valuable. The Navajo tradition is that human tears soak into the soil when it rains after a long drought and produce Turquoise. This is why the Turquoise in native American culture holds a lot of importance.
Turquoise is thought to signify life and the colors of the Earth and sky, linking the two. But what exactly Turquoise represents? The meaning of turquoise jewelry is the fragment of the sky that has fallen to Earth. Native American tribes such as the Navajo, Acoma Pueblo, and the Maya and Aztecs traditionally connected Turquoise with healing, spiritual connection, and good fortune.
Turquoise changes color based on its surroundings—aluminum turns it green, zinc gives it a yellowish tinge, and sunlight and weather brighten it to a softer blue. Because of its color-changing properties, Turquoise became known as the “living stone” because of its color-changing properties. Thus, the Navajo turquoise meaning reflects life and the various colors of the Earth. It is said to bestow protection, power, and energy on individuals who wear it.
What’s Turquoise Good For?
The color turquoise never fails to inspire with its plethora of colors. Turquoise is a stunning blend of three color wheel beauties, with green, blue, and yellow tones. Never one to brag, Turquoise shines without even realizing it. This greenish-blue tint has a lot to admire with its humility and changing appeal. Moreover, there are many healing powers of Turquoise. Consequently, these healing powers strengthen the significance of Turquoise in Native American culture. The following paragraphs will talk about these powers.
Offers Positive Effects
Turquoise is as calming as it is appealing and refreshes, warms, and calms the spirit. Its calm presence may be attributed to its blue undertones, invigorating spirit to its yellow components, and its encouraging qualities to its green components. These three colors work together to make Turquoise’s uplifting and calming color. Turquoise is a great hue to use to counteract stress and exhaustion. Its calm and bright demeanor will not disappoint.
Nervous System Relaxation
Emotional control is easier said than done. Turquoise aids in this process by soothing the nervous system. When our nerves are at peace, we may live stress-free. Furthermore, it increases self-assurance, making us more confident in our daily decisions. Besides, seeing the color turquoise can provide a sense of calm for public speakers. Further, the turquoise color reminds us to get out of our brains when making a speech. This allows us to stay concentrated and level-headed.
A Spiritual Guide
Turquoise has an amazing power to connect with our spirits. Because it is unassuming, we do not take offense when it provides advice. Turquoise helps us to feel more in tune with our intuition. Spiritual development occurs when we strengthen our connection with our sixth sense. Simply told, this gorgeous color inspires us to broaden our horizons, broaden our perspectives, and broaden our perspectives. This is another reason that increases turquoise meaning in the lives of Navajo people.
A Great Emergency Contact
Allow the color turquoise to talk you down the brink while you’re in the midst of a crisis. Turquoise helps us think clearly, making it an excellent hue to have on hand in an emergency. It not only fosters good decision-making, but it also promotes structure. We desire to be more organized when we see the color turquoise. It does not require that we arrange our affairs. Instead, it only implies it.
Together, these healing powers tell us how significant Turquoise is in Native American culture.
Turquoise Properties
There is no single rare or excellent turquoise stone. However, there are several unique varieties of Turquoise with distinctive hues. There are uncommon blue-violet turquoise specimens and very expensive transparent or translucent turquoise crystals from Virginia, for example.
Here are some of the most frequent qualities of turquoise stones:
Colour: Blue, green
Chakra: Throat, third eye
Elements: Wood, metal
Planet: Jupiter, Venus, Neptune
Zodiac: Scorpio, Sagittarius, Pisces, Rabbit
Bagua areas: Zhen, Qian
Number: Vibrates to 1
Origin: Afghanistan, Arabian Peninsula, China, Egypt, France, Iran, Mexico, Peru, Poland, Russia, Tibet, United States
The Spiritual Meaning Of Turquoise
What does Turquoise represent spiritually? The stone offers a soothing, anchoring vibration that makes it an excellent stone to use when you feel overwhelmed or to help with meditation. It is claimed to connect heaven and Earth and to help you connect with the spiritual realm. Besides, Turquoise may help you connect with your intuition and is also good for protection and cleansing. This further intensifies the turquoise Navajo meaning.
Final Words- Why Is Turquoise Important To The Navajo?
- The Navajo associate turquoise with protection and good health. The first turquoise beads are given to newborns at birth. The stone is also used in puberty rites, marriage and initiation ceremonies, healing ceremonies, and other whole and crushed rituals. No wonder the stone is so linked with every aspect of Navajo life that they are famous for their Navajo turquoise jewelry.
- The Navajo believe this stone brings good fortune and store it in baskets or hanging from the ceiling to protect their family from harm. It was also taken into combat by Navajo warriors to protect them. Also, it was thrown into the river while praying to the rain deity and is frequently offered as a gift.
- According to Navajo folklore, Estsanatlehi is a deity born from Turquoise and decked with stone. In Navajo coming-of-age ceremonies, she is honored. Turquoise is associated with healing and high talent among the Pima people of southern Arizona.
- The Apache people equate the stone with rain found at the end of a rainbow. They fastened turquoise bits to their bows to protect them and give them strength and skill in combat.
- The Hopi thought turquoise was a byproduct of a lizard that traveled between the heavens and the ground.
- The Zuni, like the Inca, Maya, and Aztecs, believe that the stone protects them from demons. Green Turquoise, according to the Zuni, signifies women, whereas blue Turquoise represents males.
- The Ojibwe have a strong dreamcatcher with a turquoise spider representing Asibikaashi (Spider Woman), who brought the sun back to their people.
Now that you know the significance of Turquoise in Native American culture, you may have got allured to buy one for yourself. So the question is, where to buy Navajo tribe arts and crafts and jewlery?
Where To Purchase Navajo Turquoise Jewlery?
To buy the finest quality Navajo tribe arts and crafts and jewlery, switch to the Navajo Arts And Crafts Enterprise website. They have a collection of the best Navajo items. So, if you want to avail the benefits Navajo jewelry brings along without burning your fingers, hook up to their website now!