Main Press Service The meaning of amber in different cultures European civilization

The significance of amber in European civilization

Cultural features

The value and symbolic meaning of amber have often changed over time and cultural trends. Here are several contemporary trends associated with amber in European culture:

Jewelry making
Amber is increasingly being used in the creation of jewelry.

Decorative purposes
Amber is being utilized more frequently in interiors to craft decorative objects.

Design experimentation
Some designers and artists have started incorporating amber into their works, creating unique pieces of art and design.

Traditional medicine
Amber is used in the treatment of various ailments, such as joint pain, headaches, and more.

FAMOUS CULTURAL OBJECTS

Rome, St. Peter’s Basilica

St. Peter’s Basilica is a Christian structure in Rome known for its majestic architecture and art. It was erected over many centuries and incorporates a variety of styles and materials.

Construction of the cathedral began in 1506 and lasted over 100 years. The work was led by various architects including Donato Bramante, Michelangelo and Gian Lorenzo Bernini.

Lithuania, Palanga, Amber Museum

The Amber Museum is located in Palanga, one of Lithuania’s popular resort towns. It has 15 exhibition halls with an area of 750 square meters. The museum presents the largest specimens of the mineral found on the coast, interior items, jewelry, decorative panels.

The Amber Museum in Lithuania is considered to be the only museum in the world so rich in expensive, amazing and unique collection of amber. And gives an opportunity not only to get acquainted with different types of amber, but also to get information about the process of mining “Baltic gold” and its subsequent processing.

Poland, Gdansk, Amber Museum

A unique place where you can learn about the origin, properties and various uses of amber. This museum is located in a historical building dating back to the 16th century and is considered to be one of the oldest structures in Gdansk.

The exposition of the museum contains more than 5 thousand exhibits, including amber jewelry, household items, sculptures and many other interesting artifacts. Special attention is paid to the amber products created in the 17th and 18th centuries in Gdansk, when this city was the main center of the amber trade.

Legends, myths, and stories about ambe

from Europ

Enduring Value

During the Renaissance, amber became a popular material for creating jewelry and art objects. It was used to make royal crowns and furniture, as well as exquisite jewelry pieces for wealthy patrons and aristocrats.

In the 19th century, amber gained popularity among art and mineral collectors. Its value was associated with its rarity and beauty.

Today, amber continues to be an important element of European culture and is used in various aspects of life, from jewelry to traditional medicine and design.

“Amber is a stone that contains the history of the world.” – Albrecht Dürer, German Renaissance artist.

The Legend of the Gauiya Bird

According to Baltic legend, there was a remarkable bird called the Gauiya that kept a piece of amber jewelry in its nest. This jewelry contained stones representing the Seven Wonders of the World:

– The king of Tuscany learned about it and ordered his servant to steal it. The bird chased after the thief, caught him, and threw him into the depths of the sea. The jewelry shattered and also fell. Each fragment of the jewelry sprouted into a tree, which cried and mourned the loss of the beautiful bird. Its resin tears transformed into new pieces of amber. The waves carry these amber tears onto the shore, and those who find a piece of amber on the beach and gaze deeply into it will see one of the wonders of the world. The sea gives freely to people what the king failed to obtain through force and cunning.

“Amber is a unique stone that has no parallels in the world of jewelry. It possesses a special warmth and light that can be harnessed to create beautiful and distinctive pieces.” – Yves Levy, French jeweler.

Symbol of Love

One Lithuanian legend has made amber a symbol of eternal love.
Deep underwater, there was an amber palace belonging to Jurate, one of the most beautiful goddesses. At the same time, a simple young man named Kastitis lived on land. Every day, he would come to the shore and cast his fishing net into the sea, singing while he worked. When Jurate emerged from the depths to see who was disturbing her peace, she heard one of his songs. Kastitis captured the heart of the goddess. However, this love defied the laws of the divine world. Perkunas, the supreme god, grew enraged. He commanded Kastitis to be destroyed, the castle of Jurate to be demolished, and her to be forever chained to the cliffs. With each strike of the god’s lightning, the beautiful castle crumbled. The small pieces of amber were the tears of the hapless Jurate, while the larger ones were fragments of her once magnificent palace.

“Amber is a stone that contains magical energy within itself and has the ability to transmit it to its owner.” – Michael Kottler, founder of “Michael Kottler Jewelry”.

Electricity from Greece

The word ‘electricity’ originated from the Greek word ‘electron’, which means ‘amber’ in translation. In the 7th century BCE, the Greek philosopher Thales of Miletus discovered that if a piece of amber is rubbed with wool, it attracts small lightweight objects. Millennia later, scientists such as Volta, Ampère, Ohm, Faraday, Tesla, and many others perfected these experiments, giving us the ability to harness electricity for our needs… But it all began with amber.

“Amber is a stone that speaks of the past, but it can also be used to create the future.” – Carl Linnaeus.

Amber Rosaries

In the 15th century, under the careful guidance of the Teutonic Order in Danzig (modern-day Gdansk), which declared all Baltic amber as their property, industrial production of rosaries was established. They supplied the entire Catholic Europe. These rosaries were used in churches as a substitute for ordinary prayer beads made of wood or bone. They were often adorned with various depictions, such as saints, angels, and martyrs.

Amber rosaries are depicted in many paintings by old masters, particularly in the works of the Van Eyck brothers and Joss van Cleve.

“Amber is a symbol of the sun, light, and warmth. It is also associated with growth and life, and can be used to attract positive energies.” – Hans German.

The Tears of the Trees

One of the oldest myths about amber belongs to the ancient Greeks. Hesiod, an ancient author from the 8th century BCE, tells the story of the tragic death of the beautiful Phaethon. He, the son of Helios, the Sun God, asked his father for permission to drive his sun chariot. The young man desired to race through the sky in the sun chariot, but he couldn’t control the fiery horses. The chariot, engulfed in flames, crashed into the river Eridanus. The nymphs dwelling in its waters mourned the loss of the handsome youth. The nymphs were deeply in love with him, and their tears were endless. The gods transformed the nymphs into poplar trees, yet their weeping continued. The tears of the trees transformed into delicate crystals, and eventually turned into pieces of amber.

“Amber is a stone that enchants with its beauty and magic. It has been cherished by people for many centuries.” – George Frideric Handel.

The Legend of the Golden Snake

Legends showcase that amber has a long history and is considered an important element in many cultural traditions and beliefs in Europe.

In this legend, a snake guarding the amber mines was captured and killed by a young man. The snake turned out to be a princess who had been cursed and transformed into a snake. The amber that the young man obtained brought him wealth and fame.

“Amber is a stone that will bring health, wealth, and good fortune to its owner.” – Louis XIV, King of France.

Amber from the West Coast

Denmark is one of the major producers of amber in the world. It is home to the largest amber deposit in Europe called “Baltic Amber” or “Bolshevik.” It was discovered in the 18th century, and since then, Danish geologists and archaeologists have been actively studying it.

Amber found here exhibits a range of colors, from light yellow to dark brown. It often contains inclusions of plant and animal remains, making it particularly valuable for science and art. In recent years, the extraction of amber in Bolshevik has become limited due to the depletion of amber reserves and environmental conservation efforts.

“Amber is a symbol of the sun and light. It is not only beautiful but also holds special value, as its age can reach millions of years.” – Christian Goldbach, 18th-century German geologist.

Amber in Europe

In recent years, amber has become increasingly popular in Europe, and its usage has expanded across various industries and spheres of life, ranging from jewelry to folk medicine and design.