Turquoise is a light blue-green color that evokes feelings of calmness, healing, and spirituality. Throughout history, the striking blue-green hue has been associated with ancient wisdom, protection, good fortune, and connection to nature. Turquoise gems and dyes have been prized globally for thousands of years, making the vibrant color a worldwide symbol of power, prestige, and sacred tradition.
Turquoise in Nature
In nature, turquoise is the rare and beautiful color that forms when copper minerals mix with minerals containing aluminum and hydrogen. The best known source of natural turquoise is the intense blue-green mineral found in arid regions of the American Southwest, Iran, Egypt, and the Sinai Peninsula. For thousands of years, indigenous peoples like the Navajo and Persians mined these precious turquoise deposits, treasuring the striking gems as some of the most valuable materials on earth.
The iconic blue-green shade we know as turquoise does not exist exactly in the natural rainbow spectrum. Rather, it is located between green and blue on the color wheel, shimmering with slightly different hues depending on its mineral composition. The best turquoise gems display a pure, intense blue-green with no hints of gray. Stones with a greener cast are sometimes called “apple green” turquoise in the gem trade.
Turquoise in Ancient Cultures
For at least 7,000 years, vibrant turquoise has been a coveted ceremonial stone among indigenous cultures across the globe. The ancient Egyptians were the first culture known to trade turquoise, mining the stone in the Sinai Peninsula as early as 5500 BCE. Turquoise artifacts have been discovered in tombs dating back to the First Dynasty, and pharaohs wore the blue-green gems as protection against evil. Ancient peoples in the Americas also associated turquoise with water and rainfall, believing the sacred stones summoned the life-giving forces of nature.
In ancient Persia, turquoise was the national gemstone, worn by royalty to demonstrate wisdom and ensured access to the heavenly realm. Persian turquoise often came from the oldest known mines in the world, located near Nishapur, which have been valued for over 2,000 years. Persians adorned their turbans with turquoise gems, believing the “firouzeh” stones protected them from harm.
Indigenous tribes across North, Central and South America also attributed deep meaning and protective powers to turquoise. The striking blue-green stones were symbols of life, fertility and good fortune. Turquoise has special ceremonial significance to many Native American peoples, including the Apache, Navajo, Zuni Pueblo, and Hopi. Both the Mayans and the Aztecs adorned themselves with stunning turquoise jewelry and mosaic masks.
Symbolic Meaning in Ancient Religions
In many ancient cultures and religions, turquoise was believed to connect mortal beings to the spiritual realm. For Tibetan and Nepalese Buddhists, turquoise carries a sacred meaning, representing wisdom and the embodiment of Buddhist perfections. In Tibetan culture, turquoise is considered the most valuable of all gems. Vajrayana practitioners wear the vivid stones as protection from negativity.
In ancient India, Hindu lore depicted the mother goddess Shakti in turquoise hues. Ancient Turquoise adornments have been unearthed from the Indus Valley dating back almost 6,000 years. In Buddhism, a turquoise image of the Buddha is believed to help guide one’s journey to enlightenment. In Judaism, turquoise adorns the ancient breastplates of Jewish high priests.
Christian iconography sometimes depicts the Virgin Mary wearing a turquoise robe, representing divine love. In the Islamic faith, turquoise is believed to bring safety, and traditionally adorns mosque domes, minarets and other sacred structures. In New Age spiritualism, the color turquoise represents healing power and the balance between the spiritual and physical realms.
Turquoise Meaning in the Renaissance and Enlightenment
During the European Renaissance, turquoise gems and dyes remained rare and highly prized imports from the Orient. The vibrant blue-green shade became closely associated with exoticism, prestige and mystery. Turquoise became a symbolic color worn by kings, queens, nobles and cardinals to demonstrate wealth and power.
During the 18th century Age of Enlightenment in Europe, growing scientific interest in gemology led to new appreciation of turquoise’s unique properties and striking color variations. The French explorer Pierre Gilles de la Tourette wrote an early scientific treatise on turquoise while living in Turkey during the 16th century. Turquoise became a fashionable embellishment and color motif during the Baroque and Rococo eras.
Turquoise in Modern Culture
As synthetic dyes enabled more widespread use of the color turquoise in the late 19th century, it became a mainstay shade for jewelry, clothing and home decor. Turquoise took on a youthful, modern spirit during the Art Deco era of the 1920s, when bold geometric shapes showcased its vibrancy.
In the postwar period of the 1950s and 60s, turquoise became emblematic of the breezy, casual California lifestyle. Surfing, hot rods and the laidback fashion of psychedelia all embraced turquoise as a “cool” color. American western films portrayed rugged cowboys sporting turquoise belt buckles and bolo ties.
Today, turquoise remains closely linked to the bohemian, Nomadic spirit of the American West and Southwestern culture. In expensive resorts like Palm Beach, the brightly colored gems add luxe color to upscale women’s jewelry and swimwear. Around the world, turquoise is still treasured as a gem embodying ancient wisdom, sacred power, and connections between worlds.
Turquoise Meaning in Color Psychology
What does the color turquoise represent from a psychological perspective? As a balance between the emotional color blue and the energizing color green, turquoise is perceived as both calming and uplifting. It is considered a color of emotional balance and stability.
Here are some of the main psychological meanings associated with the color turquoise:
- Calming, soothing, peaceful
- Spiritual wisdom, contemplation
- Connection to nature, protection of the planet
- Healing, renewal, solace
- Friendship, empathy, open communication
- Creativity, intuitive thinking, innovation
- Balance, resilience, wellbeing
The cool tranquil hue of turquoise inspires us to slow down and find stillness. It communicates compassion, understanding and emotional safety. At the same time, as an invigorating color, turquoise encourages creativity, free thinking and the search for inner knowledge.
Turquoise as a Symbol of Protection
Throughout history, turquoise has been valued as a protective stone that shields the wearer from harm. Ancient Persian lore held that the vibrant blue gems warded off the “evil eye.” Asian warriors wore turquoise amulets to ensure safety in battle. Tibetan monks rely on turquoise to ward off fear and provide inner calm.
Traditional Navajo beliefs associate turquoise with life-giving rain. Turquoise is believed to connect humankind to the spiritual realm and ensure general good fortune. It is also seen as a bridge between different cultures, promoting openness and friendship.
To many in the American West, the pale blue-green stone represents health and resilience. Turquoise jewelry remains closely tied to Native American ceremonial dress and Southwestern pride. The popularity of turquoise never wanes – it continues to infuse modern fashion with its ancient protective powers.
Turquoise in Feng Shui
In the ancient Chinese philosophy of feng shui, turquoise plays an important role in promoting harmony. Feng shui recommends deliberately arranging your living space to allow for the ideal flow of chi, the life force energy.
As a balance of the wood and water elements, the color turquoise is excellent for feng shui use. It enhances communication and wisdom for those who reside in the home. Incorporating turquoise is also said to encourage creativity and emotional clarity.
Ideal feng shui applications for turquoise include:
- Turquoise front door
- Turquoise interior accents, pillows, rugs
- Turquoise garden flowers and pots
- Turquoise office or study space
Turquoise gemstones and artworks are also feng shui enhancers. Place turquoise decor in the North area of a home or room to promote good health and relationships.
Conclusion
With its brilliant blue-green tones and ancient origins, it’s not surprising turquoise has such enduring, universal appeal. The vibrant gems continue to inspire spirituality, creativity and emotional equilibrium. Architects, interior designers and fashion labels will surely keep incorporating this timeless shade that connects us to wisdom from ancient worlds.
Turquoise is truly a magical color – it is both mentally soothing and physically energizing. It calms the mind and revives the spirit. For thousands of years, turquoise has symbolized the profound balance between lightness and depth, stillness and vitality, nature and humanity. Precious as a jewel, but casual as a cotton t-shirt, the striking bluish-green hue will always represent life, energy, and all that connects us to this planet we call home.
