Discover the history of precious, semi-precious, and organic gemstones, their scientific properties, their mythical powers, and their traditional uses.
Humans have been beguiled and fascinated by gemstones and crystals since prehistory, and made use of them for everything from currency and ceremonial decoration to tokens of love or power. But why have some been considered more significant than others - rare or otherwise?
Learn all about the key characteristics of precious and semi-precious stones, and discover the science behind some of their more unusual and mysterious properties, and the various ways in which they have taken on powerful symbolic meanings. How did the Vikings use iolite to help them steer their ships, for example? Why did the Ancient Greeks and Romans believe that sardonyx could protect them in battle?
Dive deep into the pages of this curated crystal book to discover:
- A quirky and compelling angle on the subject of crystals and gems - combining science with culture and history.
- Definitions for the key properties of precious, semi-precious, and organic stones, clearly and simply.
- Explores their traditional uses in healing and manifesting, and the powers they have been ascribed through the centuries.
Encounter the fascinating stories of some of the most famous or celebrated gemstones and jewels along the way - from a turquoise-studded pectoral worn during Aztec ceremonies, to the diamond necklace that helped to bring about the French Revolution - in this glorious celebration of precious, semi-precious, and organic stones in all their beauty and variety.
Humans have been beguiled and fascinated by gemstones and crystals since prehistory, and made use of them for everything from currency and ceremonial decoration to tokens of love or power. But why have some been considered more significant than others - rare or otherwise?
Learn all about the key characteristics of precious and semi-precious stones, and discover the science behind some of their more unusual and mysterious properties, and the various ways in which they have taken on powerful symbolic meanings. How did the Vikings use iolite to help them steer their ships, for example? Why did the Ancient Greeks and Romans believe that sardonyx could protect them in battle?
Dive deep into the pages of this curated crystal book to discover:
- A quirky and compelling angle on the subject of crystals and gems - combining science with culture and history.
- Definitions for the key properties of precious, semi-precious, and organic stones, clearly and simply.
- Explores their traditional uses in healing and manifesting, and the powers they have been ascribed through the centuries.
Encounter the fascinating stories of some of the most famous or celebrated gemstones and jewels along the way - from a turquoise-studded pectoral worn during Aztec ceremonies, to the diamond necklace that helped to bring about the French Revolution - in this glorious celebration of precious, semi-precious, and organic stones in all their beauty and variety.
Buch (gebunden)
Discover the uses and symbolic meanings of flowers over the centuries and across the globe.
Flowers have been depicted as objects of beauty and wonder in countless paintings and poems, exchanged as tokens of love and affection, and displayed as symbols of both celebration and remembrance - "saying it with flowers" is truly part of the human experience.
But how does the significance of flowers vary across cultures and at different points in history?
And what makes certain flowers special?
The Secret Language of Flowers explores the meaning of more than 85 flowers, tracing their history as symbols and charting their role in folklore and mythology around the world.
This fascinating book on flowers can help you to:
-Unlock the meaning of flowers throughout history - from early peoples to the 19th-century.
- Discover the Victorian language of flowers popular in the US, UK, and Europe.
- Gain an insight into folklore and mythology in relation to different flowers.
- Uncover what flowers mean in various cultures around the world.
-Uncover traditional medicinal uses of plants, such as aloe, which is used to treat burns.
Uncover the rich and fascinating histories of individual flowers - the sunflower, for example, which was regarded by the Aztecs as a symbol of war, but became a symbol of devotion in 19th-century painting due to the fact that it "turns its head" to follow the sun. Learn about the function of flowers in society, from the practical to the playful - flowers have been used as remedies and tonics - tea tree and coneflower (or echinacea), for example - as well as as a means of sending cryptic messages to lovers and friends.
The Secret Language of Flowers is an entertaining guide to the rich stories that lie beyond the seductive aromas and dazzling beauty of flowers of all kinds. Each flower featured throughout the book is arranged by season, from the first snowdrops and primroses of spring, the glorious roses of summer, the stunning fuchsias and dahlias of autumn to the holly and poinsettia of the winter months, there's a flower for everyone to fall in love with.
At DK, we believe in the power of discovery.
So why stop there?
If you like The Secret Language of Flowers, then why not try Great Loves which celebrates some of the most famous romances in history, or Lost Masterpieces to discover extraordinary stories behind the world's missing works of art.
Flowers have been depicted as objects of beauty and wonder in countless paintings and poems, exchanged as tokens of love and affection, and displayed as symbols of both celebration and remembrance - "saying it with flowers" is truly part of the human experience.
But how does the significance of flowers vary across cultures and at different points in history?
And what makes certain flowers special?
The Secret Language of Flowers explores the meaning of more than 85 flowers, tracing their history as symbols and charting their role in folklore and mythology around the world.
This fascinating book on flowers can help you to:
-Unlock the meaning of flowers throughout history - from early peoples to the 19th-century.
- Discover the Victorian language of flowers popular in the US, UK, and Europe.
- Gain an insight into folklore and mythology in relation to different flowers.
- Uncover what flowers mean in various cultures around the world.
-Uncover traditional medicinal uses of plants, such as aloe, which is used to treat burns.
Uncover the rich and fascinating histories of individual flowers - the sunflower, for example, which was regarded by the Aztecs as a symbol of war, but became a symbol of devotion in 19th-century painting due to the fact that it "turns its head" to follow the sun. Learn about the function of flowers in society, from the practical to the playful - flowers have been used as remedies and tonics - tea tree and coneflower (or echinacea), for example - as well as as a means of sending cryptic messages to lovers and friends.
The Secret Language of Flowers is an entertaining guide to the rich stories that lie beyond the seductive aromas and dazzling beauty of flowers of all kinds. Each flower featured throughout the book is arranged by season, from the first snowdrops and primroses of spring, the glorious roses of summer, the stunning fuchsias and dahlias of autumn to the holly and poinsettia of the winter months, there's a flower for everyone to fall in love with.
At DK, we believe in the power of discovery.
So why stop there?
If you like The Secret Language of Flowers, then why not try Great Loves which celebrates some of the most famous romances in history, or Lost Masterpieces to discover extraordinary stories behind the world's missing works of art.