The Prioress of The Canterbury Tales is portrayed as prioritizing luxury over spirituality, as shown by her coral prayer beads, which symbolize contemporary values yet hint at deeper ambivalence.
Chaucer’s depiction of coral beads not only reflects the Prioress' character but also denotes the evolving meanings of coral from protection in medieval times to promises of earthly love.
Birthstones, commonly seen today, are largely a modern construct designed for commercial purposes, but examining their historical meanings reveals rich, imaginative layers that transcend mere consumerism.
Lapidaries from medieval scholars provided a wealth of knowledge on the supernatural powers attributed to gemstones, illustrating how beliefs connected earthly materials to spirituality and magic.
Collection
[
|
...
]