What s so special about obsidian?
This beautiful stone has been known to mankind for a very long time. It was first mentioned by the ancient Greek researcher Theophrastus in his “Treatise on Stones” (about 300 BC), and later Pliny the Elder in “Natural History” (fifties AD) designates it as Obsidianus lapis, or “Obsidia stone”. There are several options regarding this name: perhaps the Roman Obsius (Obsidius) found this stone in Ethiopia and brought it to Rome for the first time, or it came from the Greek opsis – “vision, spectacle”, as Ethiopian black obsidian was used to make mirrors. Human tools made from obsidian that are more than nine thousand years old have been found in Mesopotamia. Volcanic glass is easily processed in primitive ways and has sharp cutting edges, which makes it excellent for making primitive knives, arrowheads, spears and axes. The population of Ethiopia and the Aztecs of North America, having a more developed culture, polished obsidian to a mirror effect, and large obsidian discs were also used in jewelry. In many countries, ritual objects, priestly knives, various amulets and talismans, beads and pendants, dishes, and weapons were made from obsidian. In Ancient Egypt, obsidian incense containers were especially popular: the aroma in such containers did not evaporate for a long time. The city of Jericho, mentioned in the Bible, built its foreign economy on the obsidian trade: it was the largest point on the trade route from Asia to Egypt, and many Bronze and Iron Age people passed through it. Currently, obsidian is also known under the names “resin stone”, “bottle stone” and many others. Individual varieties are named by color:
- rainbow: obsidian with iridescence in blue, green or reddish tones. There may be samples with iridescence of one shade, several or (rarely) all at once;
- golden and silver: the silky sheen of these stones is due to the presence of tiny gas or crystalline inclusions in the glass (for example, magnetite);
- fiery: obsidian of red-brown shades, often with black stripes;
- snow: also called “Apache tears”, it has a very characteristic appearance – scattered white “snowflakes” (cristobalite crystals) throughout the main black mass.
In Armenia, the common nickname for the stone is “Satani Yehung” – “Satan’s nail” because of the black color of the stone and its findings in places of volcanic eruptions.
Obsidian has many uses in the modern world. It is used in construction, medicine (as a material for high-precision surgical instruments), it is a valuable and beautiful ornamental and collection stone. Obsidian takes polish well; Various figurines, rosaries, beads are made from it, balls are cut out, writing sets and decorative watches are decorated with obsidian plates.
At its core, obsidian is a volcanic glass with a very low water content (less than 1%). The chemical composition depends on the original composition of the magma, so it can vary. Mainly contains SiO2, oxides of magnesium and iron (MgO, Fe3O4). Obsidian is formed when viscous lava quickly hardens on the surface or in deep subvolcanic conditions.
Natural obsidian comes in a wide variety of colors, from gray-white to yellow, brown and black; Spotted ones may also occur. The characteristic appearance of Armenian obsidian is brown-brown to red with black spots and stripes. Flow patterns are often visible in the structure of the stone.
Obsidian itself is opaque, but can show through in thin chips. It produces a characteristic conchoidal fracture on the chip. On the Mohs scale it has a hardness of 5.
The most famous deposits of obsidian are Transcaucasia (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia); Ethiopia, Madagascar, Argentina, USA (Arizona, California, Nevada, etc.), Mexico.
It has long been believed that wearing an obsidian amulet will help improve health and improve immunity. Obsidians can restore the condition of the skin after injuries and burns, and help cope with colds and runny noses.
Lithotherapists recommend wearing obsidian pendants to prevent diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Beads help normalize blood pressure, but wearing them all the time is not recommended.
Since ancient times, magicians and shamans have used obsidian in their rituals. It has the glory of one of the strongest amulets against wrong thoughts, deeds and actions, which is why it is often used as a talisman for children. Obsidian jewelry and talismans will be useful to wear for those who fall into a gambling state or have some kind of addiction that they want to get rid of, since this stone has a stopping property. If a person wants to get rid of obsessive attention, then he should also wear obsidian jewelry or hold a rosary in his hands.
In cases of indecision and lack of initiative, this stone can support and energize, giving the concentration necessary to achieve your goals. Working with obsidian will help you objectively assess your shortcomings and, based on this, strengthen your strengths. Magic balls made of obsidian endow their owner with clairvoyant gifts and contribute to the development of her intuition.
Obsidian has receptive Yin energy, according to the system Feng Shui responds to the elements of Earth and Fire, enhancing their manifestations. Obsidian in brown and red shades is well suited for the southwestern Zone of love and marriage: it must be taken into account that obsidian figures or objects must be paired. For the central Health Zone, obsidian tumbling or traditional figurines – an elephant, a turtle – are also suitable. An obsidian figurine of a snake or owl – the personification of wisdom and deep knowledge will help activate the northeastern Zone of knowledge and intuition
Meditations with obsidian help in working with the sacral chakra (Muladhara), which helps to increase vitality. Obsidian is known as a strong cleansing stone that can remove “energy blockages” from the path of energy channels. Obsidian also works well in conjunction with rock crystals, removing mental and emotional blocks.
For zodiac signs
Obsidian jewelry is best suited for such representatives of the zodiac as Capricorn, Leo and Sagittarius. A silver ring or ring on the finger of an Aries, Aquarius or Scorpio will give them self-confidence. For Cancers or Virgos who are prone to thinking, this stone is not recommended, as it can stagnate them in their development.
Amulets and Talismans
Obsidian was widely used in ritualism: people have long known the sharp knives of the Aztecs, and the Sumerians made special mirrors from polished obsidian. It is believed that this stone contains the energies of the Sun, Saturn and Uranus, so it should be used quite carefully. However, thanks to this combination, obsidian is a very powerful amulet, protecting its owner from negative influences – both the subtle plane and the outside world.
An obsidian talisman, given to a scientist, researcher or practitioner, will give strength and help to take a fresh look at the world. It is best to set obsidian in silver. It is also believed that this stone helps to repay debts – it is worth paying attention to it if your work is related to the financial sector.
Other products made from this stone:
Obsidian, or dragon glass, is an igneous rock formed during the rapid solidification of lava poured onto the surface. In Martin’s world, obsidian has magical properties, associated with dragons and fire, opposed to cold and darkness.
- 1 Properties and distribution
- 2 Weapons of the Children of the Forest
- 3 Valyrian Candles
- 4 Other items
- 5 Sources
Properties and distribution
Being a volcanic glass, obsidian is a predominantly black, shiny material that forms a very sharp edge when fractured, although it is quite brittle [1] ; It can also be green, red, purple [2]. The name “obsidian” is used by maesters who claim that this mineral “comes from underground fire”; common people call this mineral “dragon glass” and say that dragons produce it [2]. In High Valyrian, obsidian is called “frozen fire” [3].
Asshai conducts an international trade in dragon glass, from where obsidian is brought to Qarth and further to the west [4] . At Qarth there is a bronze arch in the form of intertwining snakes, with scales of obsidian, jasper and lapis lazuli [5]. Magicians in Qarth can create fire from dragon glass [4]. Smuggler Roro Ugoris bought obsidian from the wildlings beyond the Wall [6].
According to Stannis Baratheon, the old mine workings on the volcanic Dragonstone are full of obsidian. It is found there in whole ingots, blocks and layers. Stannis gave Rolland Storm, the castellan of the castle, the order to begin mining obsidian [3]. According to legend, during the cataclysm that destroyed Valyria, “dragon glass and the black blood of demons rained down from the red clouds” [7].
Weapons of the Children of the Forest
Not knowing metals, the Children of the Forest used tools from obsidian: they made knives, arrowheads, even swords from dragon glass. These obsidian weapons can still be found in the North, thousands of years after the disappearance of the Children of the Forest. Maester Luwin has a whole pot in his office filled with obsidian tips. Osha claimed that the Children of the Forest carry obsidian weapons to this day. The Children of the Forest fought the First Men, but obsidian weapons were no match for bronze [1] [2] . In the Age of Heroes, the Children of the Forest gave the Night’s Watch a hundred obsidian daggers every year [8]. Some wildlings also carry obsidian knives as weapons [9].
Samwell Tarly kills an Other:
When he opened his eyes, the armor was dripping from the Other in streams, and pale blue blood hissed and smoked around the black dragonglass dagger stuck in his throat. Another grabbed the knife with his white hands, but his fingers, touching the blade, also began to smoke.
Sam turned on his side, eyes wide. The other shrank and melted. After about twenty moments, the flesh disappeared from him like a white mist, and the bones, like milk glass, also began to melt. And now only a dagger made of dragon glass remained in the snow, all shrouded in steam, as if it were alive and sweating. Grenn picked it up and immediately dropped it.
– Mother, he’s so cold.
– This is obsidian. — Sam rose to his knees. — It is also called dragon glass. Draconov.
Jon Snow and the direwolf Ghost discovered a cache on the Fist of the First Men that contained many objects made of obsidian: knives, arrowheads and spears [10]; there were more than three hundred arrowheads alone [2]. Mournful Edd said that a glass knife was as useful as nipples on a knight’s armor, but John took his find quite seriously and made wooden handles for several obsidian daggers. He kept one of these daggers for himself, and gave the others to Lord Commander Jeor Mormont, Samwell Tarly and Grenn. John gave Sam the head of a spear and a dozen arrowheads [11]. It was with an obsidian dagger that Samwell killed the Other – upon contact with the “dragon glass,” the ominous creature simply melted before our eyes, leaving behind only steam [12]. Mormont, having learned about this, was impressed and remarked that it would be worth arming all the brothers of the Night’s Watch with obsidian daggers. At Craster’s castle, the surviving watchmen armed themselves with the few obsidian weapons that Samwell carried in his knapsack – two daggers, a spear and 19 arrows [2].
However, against the ghoul that attacked Sam and Lilly later, the obsidian dagger turned out to be useless and simply broke when it collided with the steel chain mail. It was a different dagger – the same one Jon Snow had made for Jeor Mormont; after the Lord Commander’s death, Samwell took the weapon from his body [13] . Later, he found confirmation of his discovery in old books from the Castle Black library – Others are vulnerable to obsidian [8]. Jon Snow, having become Lord Commander, armed all scouts marching beyond the Wall with not only steel, but also obsidian weapons [14].
Valyrian candles
Marvin’s Obsidian Candle:
Besides the fire, the room is illuminated only by a tall black candle standing in the middle.
The light coming from her hurt my eyes, and there was something strange about her. The flame did not waver even when Marvin slammed the door and the sheets flew off the table. This light also worked wonders with paints. White glowed like freshly fallen snow, yellow sparkled like gold, red blazed with fire, and the shadows turned black like gates to another world. Sam stared at the candle, spellbound. Three feet long, slender as a sword, twisted, ribbed, it radiated both light and darkness.
In old Valyria, obsidian was used to make glass candles with supernatural properties. According to Archmaester Marvin, Valyrian sorcerers, with the help of such candles, could see what was happening far from them, beyond the seas and mountains; penetrate a person’s dreams, sending him visions, even use obsidian candles as a means of communication – two sorcerers can communicate with each other through candles from different ends of the world [15].
Four such candles, brought to Old Town a thousand years before the Doom of Valyria, are kept in the Citadel, in the charge of the Archmaester of the Arcane Sciences: they are tall, twisted, with razor-sharp edges. One of them is green, the rest are black [16]. These candles are used as part of an ancient rite: before taking vows, the candidate maester must hold a night vigil in the crypt of the Citadel, and is given only an obsidian candle as the only source of light, and is asked to light it or spend the night in darkness. Glass apparently does not burn – most maesters consider these candles simply an allegory of knowledge, and the inability to light them is a lesson in the humility that a maester should show. Some candidates who have studied the “secret sciences” try to light a candle, but always fail; Perhaps Maester Luwin was one of them – he admitted to Bran that in his youth he tried to perform sorcery [17] .
The most stupid and stubborn ones, especially those who studied the so-called secret sciences, try to do this. In doing so, they often injure their fingers, because the coils on these candles are razor-sharp. So, with cut fingers, thinking about their failure, they meet the dawn. The smart ones just go to bed or spend the night in prayer, but every year someone tries. Feast of Vultures, Prologue
However, one of the obsidian candles in Archmaester Marvin’s office did light up by itself and burned without burning out, with an unusually bright light that did not fluctuate in the draft and gave strange shadows. Rumors about her spread throughout the Citadel [16]. Samwell Tarly saw this candle with his own eyes [15]. A certain Urraton the night owl, who lives in Qarth, also owns obsidian candles; in 299, after Daenerys visited the House of the Undying, these candles lit up on their own for the first time in a hundred years [18].
Other items
Brynden Tully wore a cloak clasp in the shape of a black obsidian fish set in gold [19] and never parted with it [20] . Mors Amber replaced the eye pecked out by the crow with an artificial one, carved from dragon glass [21]. Dagmer Yellowfang had one or more dragonglass rings [22]. Tywin Lannister gave Ser Ilin Payne a sword with a skull carved from obsidian on the hilt [23].
Sources of
- ↑ 1,01,1 Game of Thrones, Bran VII
- ↑ 2,02,12,22,32,4Storm of Swords, Samwell II
- ↑ 3,03,1Storm of Swords, Samwell V
- ↑ 4,04,1 A Clash of Kings, Daenerys III
- ↑A Clash of Kings, Daenerys II
- ↑Storm of Swords, Davos V
- ↑A Dance with Dragons, Tyrion VIII
- ↑ 8,08,1 Feast of Vultures, Samwell I
- ↑A Dance with Dragons, John XI
- ↑A Clash of Kings, John IV
- ↑A Clash of Kings, John V
- ↑Storm of Swords, Samwell I
- ↑Storm of Swords, Samwell III
- ↑A Dance with Dragons, John VII
- ↑ 15,015,1 Feast of Vultures, Samwell V
- ↑ 16,016,1 Feast of Vultures, Prologue
- ↑A Clash of Kings, Bran IV
- ↑A Clash of Kings, Daenerys V
- ↑Game of Thrones, Catelyn VI
- ↑Game of Thrones, Catelyn IX
- ↑A Clash of Kings, Bran II
- ↑A Clash of Kings, Theon III
- ↑A Storm of Swords, Tyrion VIII
This page was last edited on August 25, 2022 at 12:36 pm. The text was written by passionate editors and is available under a CC-BY-SA 3.0 license (unless otherwise stated explicitly in the text). Contributions to the creation of this page are listed in edit history. Illustrations are available under licenses listed on the media pages.
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