Carnelian - The Ancient Red Stone

Carnelian as a mineral

Carnelian is a type of chalcedony made up of minute crystals of quartz (SiO₂).

The iron (Fe³⁺) content gives it an orange-red to brown-red color, and heating it makes it even redder.

Its Mohs hardness is approximately 6.5 to 7, making it durable enough for use as an ornament or seal material.

This stone has been mined in various parts of the world from ancient times to the present day, and in ancient times it was known to have originated in India, Arabia, and Sardinia.

Like agate and other chalcedony, carnelian is formed from silica that precipitates in gaps and cavities, and is characterized by its homogeneous translucent red color.

Ancient Mesopotamia—Royal Tombs and Seal Stones

In Mesopotamia in the 3rd millennium BC, carnelian was widely used in the jewelry and cylinder seals of kings and priests.

In the Royal Tombs of Ur (c. 2600 BC), numerous necklaces and seals made of carnelian were excavated along with gold and lapis lazuli.

Red is considered a symbol of the sun and life, and was used as an ornamental stone that showed authority.

Ancient Egypt—Symbols of Renewal and Protection

In Egypt, carnelian was called "hnmmt" and was widely used in amulets, statues, and ornaments.

The Book of the Dead, Chapter 156, states that a scarab made of red carnelian protects the heart of the dead.

Red as a symbol of the power of the sun god Ra, or the blood and rebirth of the goddess Isis.

Numerous examples have been found in royal tombs and temples, where it was a primary material alongside gold and turquoise.

The Greco-Roman World—Red Jewels as a σάρδιον

In classical Greece, it was called "σάρδιον (sardion)" and is described in Theophrastus's "De Lapidibus" and Book 37 of Pliny's "Naturalis Historia."

Pliny lists it as a typical gemstone for seals and carvings.

The British Museum and the Metropolitan Museum of Art have a large collection of intaglio rings (signet rings) made of carnelian, with people and mythological figures engraved on them, and archaeological evidence has confirmed that they were actually widely used during the Roman Empire.

Additionally, a carnelian intaglio ring with an eagle carved into it was discovered at the ruins of Vindolanda, a military base in northern England.

This demonstrates the use of carnelian seals even in the outlying regions of the Empire.

Tradition and religious succession since the Middle Ages

Even after the fall of the Roman Empire, carnelian was called "ʿAqīq" in the Islamic cultural sphere and was passed down religiously in the form of rings.

There is a legend that the Prophet Muhammad wore a carnelian signet ring, and it remains a Shiite religious practice to this day.

Modern symbolism of red

For thousands of years, carnelian has been used across cultures as a stone symbolizing life, the sun, and rebirth.

Its vibrant red has been used to decorate royal tombs, protect statues of gods, signify authority as seals, and remains today as a symbol of faith.

This material tells the story of the relationship between humans and stone that has continued since the earliest times, and is backed up by academic and archaeological evidence.