Lapis lazuli has captivated humanity with its deep cobalt blue hue and glittering golden pyrite inclusions for over 6,000 years. But beyond its visual appeal, this rare stone holds a powerful symbolic meaning that connects the physical and spiritual realms.
From the ancient Egyptian belief that lapis lazuli colored the night sky, to its modern metaphysical associations with wisdom and truth, this stone has been a conduit between realms for millennia. By understanding the mythic origins and lore around lapis lazuli, we can better harness its abilities in our everyday lives.
The Historical and Cultural Significance of Lapis Lazuli
The brilliant blue lapis lazuli stone has a rich history stretching back over 7,000 years. It is one of the oldest gemstones known to have been mined and prized by man for its unique deep blue color.
While deposits of lower-grade lapis can be found in the US, Russia, Canada, Chile and Pakistan, the world’s highest-quality lapis lazuli was mined for centuries at the famous Sar-e-Sang mines in northern Afghanistan’s Hindu Kush mountains.
Archaeological evidence of lapis craftsmanship by the prehistoric cultures of Mesopotamia, Egypt, China and the ancient Indus Valley suggests it was a highly-traded commodity as early as the 7th millennium BC.
The iconic golden death mask of Egypt’s King Tutankhamun, constructed in the 14th century BC, features lapis lazuli stones around the neck and eyes. This demonstrates how lapis lazuli was treasured enough in ancient Egypt to bury with their pharaohs.
Ground lapis lazuli was also used to create the brilliant ultramarine pigment used by painters from the Renaissance onwards. The expensive nature of ultramarine limited its usage to depicting only the most important religious figures such as the Virgin Mary’s robes.
So from ancient pharaohs to prehistoric traders, lapis lazuli had cemented itself as a highly coveted and significant gemstone for cultures across the globe for thousands of years.
Trade and Symbolism in Ancient Cultures
As the only known deposit for many centuries, the legendary lapis lazuli mines of north east Afghanistan remained largely a secret until around the Middle Ages. Known as ‘Lajurd’ to the mine’s Persian guardians and ‘Sang-e-Lashm’ to locals, the export of lapis lazuli was hugely profitable.
Some scholars believe myths and legends grew around lapis lazuli because its only supply came from such remote mountain summits. Storiestellers described the glittering blue stone as reflecting starlight in the night’s sky.
Regarded since antiquity as a gemstone of friendship and truth, lapis lazuli was believed to promote harmony and honesty between lovers and friends.
The ancient Egyptians associated it with deities connected to truth, wisdom and power. Warriors wore amulets of lapis for protection and courage, believing its saturated cobalt blue color emulated ferocity.
In Mesopotamia, archaeological evidence shows cylinder seals and jewelry of lapis lazuli was a mark of royalty and deities.
Chinese royalty so coveted its blue fire they ranked the value of lapis lazuli higher than gold as early as the Ming Dynasty in the 14th century. Lapis jewelry was believed to tap into the power of the deities and bring the wearer wealth and prosperity.
The Symbolic and Spiritual Meaning of Lapis Lazuli
What is the meaning of lapis lazuli on a deeper, symbolic level beyond being a rock sought by kings and common folk alike for thousands of years?
Perhaps part of lapis lazuli’s lore comes from its vibrant blue color defying all logic that a rock can be such a rich, royal blue color internally.
The ascribed virtues of wisdom, honesty and moral uprightness stem from lapis lazuli’s connection to the third eye and throat chakras. Its ability to open and stimulate these energy centers boosts awareness and truth.
Lapis lazuli’s lustering layers of gold pyrite specks are symbolic of enlightenment and heavenly realms. It reflects starlight as a reminder of the bonds between human and the celestial realms.
Regarded as a stone of friendship, lapis lazuli represents the harmony of relationships. It enhances understanding, compassion and emotional maturity to nurture truthfulness between friends and lovers.
Connection with Royalty and Honor
From the Ancient Egyptians to the Chinese, lapis lazuli was regarded as the stone to signify rank, honor and devotion to the gods. Crushed lapis lazuli as a pigment defined ultramarine – a color which would be for centuries more expensive than gold.
During the Renaissance era, ground lapis lazuli pigment was used by master painters to depict the robes and adornments of God, Jesus, the Virgin Mary and saints. As lapis came from such perilous heights in the mountains of Afghanistan, it reflected royalty and honor.
Kings, nobles and high-ranking societies awarded lapis artifacts to loyal dignitaries. The deep oceans of lapis lazuli were associated with eyes – ones that could discern truth and wisdom.
Lapis also represented rank and honor, with gifts of lapis lazuli jewelry given to loyal dignitaries in royal and noble courts from China to Europe.
Third Eye and Throat Chakra Purifier
Originating from one of the highest vibrational stones on Earth in the remote mountains of north east Afghanistan, lapis lazuli resonates with high radiant energy.
As lapis lazuli stimulates the third eye and throat chakras, the meaning here connects to awakening inner visions, intuition and expressing your deeper wisdom freely through communication.
Regarded through time as allowing humanity to tap into divine guidance, the lapis lazuli stone meaning relates to purification and activation of awareness and higher guidance.
By sparking the throat chakra with radiant blue energy lapis lazuli helps you live your truth. Your soul vision and purpose can transform into crystal clarity.
The Healing Properties and Metaphysical Benefits of Lapis Lazuli
Why has lapis lazuli crystal healing endured for over 7,000 years? The whispers of its formidable powers have echoed through the ages.
On a metaphysical level lapis lazuli heals by seeking truth. It cuts through negative energies around us encouraging authentic living. By banishing emotions of guilt and fear lapis lazuli releases you from self-imposed restrictions.
As a protective stone its midnight blue presence shields your energy field and fills you with confidence to speak and live your truth without hesitation or doubt.
The radiant energy of lapis lazuli resonates at such a high frequency it can balance, realign and activate your throat and third eye chakras simultaneously.
Promotes Emotional Healing and Peace
By encouraging self reflection in a safe psychological space lapis lazuli assists to overcome traumas relating to past verbal, sexual or psychological abuse.
Releasing anxiety over expressing feelings and boundaries is a healing effect of lapis lazuli. It allows you to share ideas and viewpoints calmly with personal power.
Many therapists recommend lapis lazuli jewelry or crystals on sessions where repressed verbal expression needs freeing. Feeling at peace with your authentic self forms the basis of personal happiness and empowered decision making.
Manifestation and Intuition Enhancer
As one of the highest vibrational and ancient power stones on Earth, lapis lazuli enhances meditation through its connection to the third eye.
Awakening your intuitive abilities through lapis lazuli is said to help manifest your wildest dreams into reality through synchronicity and harnessing personal power.
Activate your latent psychic powers with lapis lazuli. Using crystals or jewelry can open doorways to your destiny and soul purpose that logic and rational thinking alone fail to tap into.
Boosts Leadership and Truth
A stone of leaders, lapis lazuli meaning connects to boosting leadership qualities of decisiveness, integrity and clear vision.
Stimulating the throat chakra brings out your stellar communication abilities. Diplomats and peacemakers may benefit from harnessing lapis lazuli properties to resolve conflicts through tact and wise arbitration.
Lawyers and politicians utilize lapis lazuli to persuasively convey essential messages to the public for the greater good through its link with truth and wisdom.
How to Harness the Power of Lapis Lazuli in Jewelry and Decor
The good news is almost anyone can tap into the magic and meaning of lapis lazuli without needing to mine 7,000 feet above sea level in north east Afghanistan!
By adorning yourself in lapis lazuli jewelry such as a ring, bracelet, necklace or earrings you emanate its stellar energy directly onto your skin.
Wearing lapis absorbs its protective and emotionally healing powers into your aura. It acts as a personal amulet for wellbeing to face each day with renewed confidence and joy.
Using lapis lazuli crystals, pyramids or obelisks amplifies the energy of creativity, leadership, truth and authentic self-expression within any room.
Simply gazing into its midnight blue depths dotted with shimmering pyrite stars allows the transient beauty of life to arrest you in the present moment.
Choosing Quality Lapis Lazuli
While lower grade lapis lazuli is widely available, premium stones offer greater potency. Vibrant blue is ideal, with less white calcite intrusions.
Lapis lazuli grade variations can come in three quality categories:
- Lower Grade – More common with high calcite white intrusions, dull blue color
- Medium Grade – Visible pyrite flecks, medium blue intensity
- Premium Grade – Vibrant royal blue, dazzling pyrite inclusions, minor white calcite veins
Although typically more expensive, high quality lapis lazuli not only displays captivating beauty but maximum metaphysical potency.
Caring for Lapis Lazuli
Delicate and rare, it’s vital to care for lapis lazuli jewelry and crystals optimally for longevity as premium material is scarce.
Avoid prolonged sunlight exposure which causes fading over time. Clean gently with a soft brush avoiding use of chemicals, water or ultrasonic jewellery cleaners.
When storing lapis lazuli, wrap separately from other gems in a soft cloth or place inside a fabric-lined jewelry box to prevent scratches.
Is Lapis Lazuli Ethically Sourced?
Modern day lapis lazuli of premium quality comes from responsible mining initiatives in Afghanistan and other countries like Pakistan, Russia and Chile.
Purchasing lapis lazuli artifacts through fair trade organizations helps local communities sustain themselves through legal small business enterprises.
Opt for suppliers adhering to Kimberley Process certification ensuring lapis lazuli rocks have been legally obtained outside conflict zones or involving armed militia groups.
So when sourcing lapis lazuli crystals or jewelry, check for ethical mining and local community benefitting practices.
Lapis lazuli’s royal blue fire and starry pyrite inclusions have reflected wisdom and truth onto humanity through the ages. From Egyptian pharaohs, Chinese emperors through to Renaissance master painters it symbolises honor, power and the celestial realms.
By awakening your authentic voice and noble leadership qualities lapis lazuli reveals your highest self. This meaning of lapis lazuli guides the way to create profound connections of friendship, purpose and joyful manifestation.