The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1924-08-08
TURQUOISE LONG
HELD SACRED GEM
Stone ReUerenced for Its
Heavenly Resemblance.

The Zuni Indians, writes Richard
Dean In the Mentor Magazine, hold the
belief that the blue color of the sky Is
due to the reflection of the light from
an immense mountain Of turquoise.
Since the dawn of human intelligence
the sky, remote and beautiful, has
been looked upon as supernal, as the
abode Of gods and departed spirits.
Small wonder, therefore, that this
stone of azure hue has been held sa-
cred In all parts Of the world, and In
all ages. Perhaps, too, this feeling Of
mystic reverence was intensified
among peoples living along the bor-
ders Of the ocean, by the analogy Of
the various blue-green tones found in
this stone to the shifting tints Of sea
water.
Because Of its sacred and mystic
character, the turquoise Is enshrined in
thousand lovely legends, and bits
of verse. The Arabs regard 1t as
their own special luck stone and are
fond Of engraving upon it in gold
some magical character, bit from
the Koran, or the word Allah, to in
crease its potency.
Long, long before the treasures of
the new world were discovered and
plundered by greedy Adventures, the
gem had been employed in making
amulets and charms, rings, necklaces
and other articles of personal adorn-
ment. 1t was also used in the decora-
ton of breast-plates, shields and sim
ilar objects for comforting protection
upon the wearer.
The reverence paid the turquoise by
the Indians of New Mexico was
shared also by the Aztecs Of Mexico.
Though the use Of iron was unknown
to their lapidaries, their art in the
cutting and setting Of precious stones
was equal to that Of the best Euro
pean experts at the beginning Of
Sixteenth century. In the loot brought
back by Cortez there were no less
than $50 shields, 25 of which were
ornamehted with turquoise mosaic.
Since no turquoise mines have been
found In Mexico, the stones for these
were probably obtained by traffic with
tribes of New Mexico.
A remarkable Aztec shield is now q
valued possession of the Museum Of
the American Indian, New York. 1t
was found in a cave and is a perfect
example Of the ceremonial shield used
in religious dances and festivals. A
well-known authority upon the Aztecs
does not hesitate to declare that this
shield is "the most important known
example of aboriginal American art"
Though only little over foot in
diameter, the intricate design Of the
mosaic Is estimated to contain no less
than $4,000 pieces Of turquoise. These
round bits of dark and light stones are
arranged In alternating zones.
: The upper horizontal band in the
delicately colored design is supposed
to represent the heavens, while the
sun is indicated by the rosette In the
center. The upper circle probably
represents the planet Venus. The fig
uIG VI WOAudA VI 6OONCoS oASO
seen grasping staff, and there are
two other persons holding slaves and
having trumpets In their mouths.
The distinguished authority, DIR. H.
]. Spinden, asked to make a study OF
the shields design, writes:
II am inclined to believe that the
design as whole represents sun
shield, the eight radiating bars being
the rays. The holes around the rim
suggest that eagles feathers may
once have been attached. The sun and
turquoise seem to be pretty closely
connected-both mean divine. The sun
in Aztec ritual was connected with
riches and Jewels"
The back of this rare archaeological
find has vertical ridges pierced with
pairs of holes, evidently meant for
the leather thongs which held it In
place.