[tim]

Hi, I am after any reference to the Pearl in in Literature, Poetry and Myth. even if it is just a single line of poetry or prose, it would be great.

I would like to use these literal references as inspiration for a new series of paintings inspired by the pearl.

The more romantic the better!!

[jshepherd]

Of Pearls and Stars

The pearly treasures of the sea,
The lights that spatter heaven above,
More precious than these wonders are
My heart-of-hearts filled with your love.

The ocean's power, the heavenly sights
Cannot outweigh a love filled heart.
And sparkling stars or glowing pearls
Pale as love flashes, beams and darts.

So, little, youthful maiden come
Into my ample, feverish heart
For heaven and earth and sea and sky
Do melt as love has melt my heart.

Heinrich Heine

[pearlshoppe]

Hi Tim,

Here's a couple I know of:


"This pearl has become my soul. If I give it up, I shall lose my soul. Go thou also with God."
John Steinbeck, The Pearl

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls; Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all he had, and bought it."
The Bible, Matthew chapter 13 v. 45-46

[tim]

These are exactly what i needed!!
Cheers, Tim

www.timothyjohn.com.au

[Satine De La Courcel]

Hi Tim,

Where do you want to start?

Here are a few ideas.... Hope they are of some help.

There are Pliny's writings.

Then we have Caligula who loved his horse so much he gave him pearls (to wear).

The famous tale of Cleopatra dissolving pearls in vinegar for a dinner bet with Anthony (very short version).

Richard Burton, once gave Elizabeth Taylor the Pearl named La Peregrina (also known as "the Wanderer", once owned by Mary Queen of Scots) it fell off her necklace and she found it in her dogs mouth (also very short Version)

Lets see, there is a 14th Century poem about pearls I think it’s allegorical and possibly a 16th Century one, (I have not been able to verify for myself, still looking.)

A really good book to get your hands on is by George Frederick Kunz, called The Book of the Pearl by ISBN:0-486-42276-3 (Dover Pub) There is a plethora of Information in that book in regards to history.

The carpet of Baroda that is encrusted with Pearls and other precious gemstones.

Early Chinese myth:

When dragons fight pearls fall from the sky, told of pearls falling from the sky when dragons fought.

Greeks believed that wearing pearls would bring about marital bliss

The hope pearl was owned by yes that is right Phillip (Henry) Hope the same man who owned the Hope Diamond (how lucky can he really be?)

JAMON PEARL OF JAPAN- the worlds oldest Extant pearl dating back 5500 years

This one is fuzzy and not sure but I believe it originated in Arab lands.

Another legend says that pearls were thought to be dew from the moon and the Oysters would go up and "eat or Kiss" these drops which would turn into pearls

There was also a Sassanid king who threw his beloved pearl in the mud rather than have it taken in battle.

throughout history in about every culture there is some kind of reference to Pearls even in the Americas with the temple of Talomeco. And Burial mounds that reveal pearls being buried. Recently there have been Viking grave digs in which some of the Beads recovered were actually pearls not just lamp work glass beads.


I am not at home right now. that is all I can think of off the top of my head. Hope this helps out.

Good Luck!

Cheers
Ash

[tim]

anything you can think of is appreciated, especially romantic texts inspired by pearls.

[CLICLASP]

Hi Tim
If you want to use a translator, you will find here a very beautiful poem from Paul Claudel

http://www.cliclasp.com/fr/galerie.html

[CortezPearls]

In a song by famous Mexican Rock Band "Jaguares" (formerly "Caifanes") called "Quisiera ser alcohol" ("I wish I were alcohol") a part of the lyrics state: "...como una perla, te saco de lo obscuro, te llamo por tu nombre y digo que no puede ser..." (like a pearl I bring you out of darkness, I call you by your name and I say it cannot be..." (loose translation).

We are hours from being hit by hurricane "Norbert"...wish us luck! Prayers also accepted

[Sueki]

Prayer sent, Douglas.
May Norbert give you a wide berth....

[tim]

Thank you for input, and i pray that you are spared any destruction

[Hanaleimom]

Hi Douglas,

Hope you will be fine and out of the path of destruction.

[Nerida]

Douglas - trusting you and your oysters can be kept safely out of Norbert's way...
Cathy - are things back to normal for you?

[Amrita]

Sending prayers and positive vibes your way, Douglas! Hope all is well.

[mausketeer]

Originally Posted by tim

Hi, I am after any reference to the Pearl in in Literature, Poetry and Myth. even if it is just a single line of poetry or prose, it would be great.

I would like to use these literal references as inspiration for a new series of paintings inspired by the pearl.

The more romantic the better!!

Hi Tim - I am Canadian so I chose a quote from a famous Canadian author, Lucy Maude Montgomery (she wrote the Anne of Green Gables series of books) for my "signature". Not sure it it is literally what you need but pearls are mentioned in it!

Good luck!
Jodie

[Nathan Reed]

Here are some quotes I like.

"Dive into the sea of thought, and find there pearls beyond price."
Moses Ibn Ezra, Shirat Yisrael

"Those are pearls that were his eyes:
Nothing of him that doth fade
But doth suffer a sea-change
Into something rich and strange."
William Shakespeare (1564 - 1616), "The Tempest", Act 1 scene 2