Lapis lazuli has had many meanings across different cultures and time periods. Found in ancient ruins across Europe, Northern Africa, and much of Asia, this gemstone has a far-reaching legacy and thus is linked to a variety of mythology.
In Ancient Mesopotamia, for example, lapis lazuli is inextricably linked to Inanna, the goddess of sex, love, justice, political power, and war. The Queen of Heaven, Inanna was worshipped through the use of lapis lazuli jewellery, as she was believed to don a necklace and staff crafted from the gemstone. Wearing a lapis lazuli pendant, often carved with Inanna's various insignias, was to ask for her blessing in one's endeavours, be they romantic or politically strategic.
A more recent example of lapis lazuli's meaning can be found in 18th and 19th century Western civilisations, where gemstones of all kinds were used among members of court to send discreet messages to one another. Gemstone language, comparable to flower language, was a way in which affection for someone could be declared without drawing too much attention. A piece of jewellery would be gifted featuring a range of different gemstones, with the first letter of each stone representing a letter of the message.
This jewellery was highly popular, with terms such as 'dearest', 'adored', 'beloved' and other affectionate phrases being spelled out through the use of gemstones. Lapis lazuli is the most common gemstone to use when representing the letter 'l', and has thus generated an intricate connection with love and affection.
Today, the lapis lazuli is often connected to the concept of wisdom, truth, and an almost divine sense of knowledge. It is likely that this connection has in part been made largely due to lapis lazuli's omnipresence in ancient cultures around the world. Such a ubiquitous stone generates an air of mystery and knowing that can seem beyond our understanding. One of the most recognised pieces of art in the modern world is the mask of Tutankhamun, which heavily features inlays of lapis lazuli. The contrast between the rich blue of the lapis lazuli and the gold of the mask also denotes a sense of royalty and majesty, with which the stone is still heavily associated.