Did you know that pearls were initially male ornaments?
Looking through the centuries up to the 17th century, we find that pearls were originally worn by men. Before the invention of pearl cultivation, natural pearls were extremely rare and precious. This is why they were monopolized by royalty and the aristocracy. Pearls were often adorned on crowns, royal thrones, scepters, and even sword hilts. In films set in the 17th century, male accessories, including sword hilts, are often decorated with pearls. For example, in a movie poster depicting a Mughal emperor, pearls can be seen on his headgear, pearl necklace, and other ornaments, illustrating that pearls were a symbol of male power and status. King Khosrow II of Persia owned a pure gold crown adorned with a pearl the size of a sparrow's egg, surrounded by other precious gems.
Did you know that pearls also had laws?
In Roman times, the status of pearls was elevated to an unprecedented level, to the point where specific laws were created for pearls. These laws stipulated that only the emperor and nobility could wear pearls, and the size and quality of the pearls had to correspond to the social rank of the wearer. Pearls became a symbol of class and status. Queen Elizabeth I, for example, is renowned for her love of pearls. In her portraits, pearls can be seen everywhere, from her headdress to her white pearl necklace, to her clothing and crown. Her massive purchase of pearls drove pearl prices to astronomical levels. Cleopatra, the famous Egyptian queen, owned earrings adorned with two huge pearls, whose value was sufficient to feed the entire Egyptian population for a year. Religious texts like those of Hinduism and Christianity also mention pearls. The sacred city of Dwarka in India is described as being decorated with pearls, and in the Christian Apocalypse, the heavenly Jerusalem is said to have pearly gates.
Did you know that wearing pearls is also a philosophy?
Over time, the love for pearls has not diminished. Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Diana were both passionate about pearls. Elizabeth II had a well-known habit: she wore a simple cultured pearl necklace in the morning, a double necklace for entertaining guests at noon, and a triple necklace at dinners. Even during her visit to the Hongqiao market in Beijing, she expressed her love for pearls, whether natural or cultured. Princess Diana, famous for her quote "If every woman should own a jewel, it would be pearls," popularized wearing pearls in a unique way. One of her most iconic photos shows her wearing a velvet dress with a long pearl necklace knotted at the back, creating an unforgettable and timeless image.
Pearls have traversed the ages, carrying stories of power, status, and beauty. Their luster has never ceased to fascinate and captivate humanity, profoundly marking Western history and culture.
Interesting to read: The history of pearls
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