Abalone Shell Meaning
A guide for the history, meaning, and properties of Abalone Shells.
Water Element | Cleansing Energy | Spiritual Attunement
To many, abalone shells have a long history of spiritual meaning, as they have been used in decorations and jewelry for centuries; as a result, some believe that these shells have a connection to a water element. Others believe that abalone shells can provide guidance and healing when used in spiritual rituals.
Since some believe that these shells have metaphysical properties, their use has not been limited in recent times. Some believe an abalone shell has greater meaning and purpose when used with sage or incense burning, as it can help instill greater calm for cleansing. This, however, has not been backed by modern science.
Abalone shells are sometimes said to be symbols of the sea and have a deep connection to feminine energy or the Mother aspect of the Triple Goddess. This would give the abalone shell greater meaning than being just an elemental material.
Others view the abalone shell as a symbol and meaning of life, and this could be related to its history of being associated with water, another symbol of life to many. Because of this, there is a very good chance that you have seen abalone shell and incense bundled together for meditation purposes.
The Abalone Shell is a beautiful shell that holds significant symbolism, according to claims from crystal healers. It is believed to represent various aspects and qualities, such as inner harmony and tranquility. The serene depths of the ocean inspire its calming energies, which are said to enhance emotional balance and intuition.
Not only is the Abalone Shell aesthetically pleasing, but it is also highly valued by crystal practitioners for what they claim is its ability to promote a sense of calm and tranquility. Crystal healers state that one can combine it with White Opal to amplify its inherent properties and create a harmonious and peaceful atmosphere.
Crystal healers say it can bring positive energy and favorable outcomes and act as a protective talisman against spiritual negativity. While the Abalone Shell's benefits are not a fact of science, many people find it to be a helpful meditative aid in promoting inner harmony and emotional well-being.
Spiritually, others claim that it strikes a balance between the root chakra and sacral chakra. Crystal healers claim that these aspects enable the shell to be a powerful tool in one's spiritual journey. The shell is symbolically linked with several deities, many of which are water based. Some of these include Neptune, Poseidon, Kana Loa and Tlaloc.
Beyond its chakra associations, crystal practitioners claim that Abalone Shell's energy is linked to the elements of Water, Air, and Spirit. It is recognized as a symbol of inner harmony and tranquility, drawing inspiration from the serene depths of the ocean.
It has been used as a lucky charm, with its ancient users claiming it could bring favorable outcomes. It could also be used as a protective talisman, where its users claimed it could serve as a safeguard against negativity, hexes or curses.
Scientific Information
Physically, abalone shells are nacreous materials that come from abalones, which are marine snails. The shells generally have an iridescent shine that has made abalone shell jewelry quite popular. While this material is not a gemstone or a mineral in the truest sense, it is considered an "organic gemstone" by many. All this really means is that it is a natural material that many consider to be a gemstone or use it as such.
Nacre is a tough and resilient material. The structure of nacre is well-structured, defined, and robust. Its toughness cannot be understated. The nacre making up the abalone shell owes its strength to its interlocked platelets. Nacre’s structure resembles something like bricks in a wall. Its use in décor and jewelry is ancient. Abalone was harvested for consumption. The Japanese had known about the creature for ages, with records going as far back as 30 A.D. Even today Japan continues to export large quantities of abalone. China has been particularly fond of the creature since the 90s with abalone culture now being quite common on the coast.
There are numerous types of abalone shells, probably too many to name here, and you can find a wide variety of colors if you look at jewelry and décor all across the globe.
Historically, Native Americans have used abalone shells for spiritual meaning and purpose. However, after colonization, these precious shells have become a common feature of American jewelry, particularly among those along the West Coast.
Climate concerns have been front and center for a while now. We support the ocean, nature, and all things on the Earth. Protecting our gorgeous and vast oceans should be a top priority for many. Carbon dioxide emissions are a top source for the acidification of the ocean, and abalones are only one victim of many. Many ocean critters depend on minerals for survival, and this acidification will put their lives at stake; many marine lives are at stake.
Pressure from the threat of ecological disaster have since brought many to consider certain initiatives to lessen the impact or acidification. Overall, trying to limit climate change in general has been a top priority, but many are looking into plans that can remove carbon dioxide from the ocean. The next step is to prevent more from going in.
The Wrap Up
Abalone shell has been used for centuries in decoration, jewelry, and design. It's no surprise why, either! These shells are simply gorgeous. If you've been wondering about abalone shell and meaning, then we hope that this has helped. you. Thank you for reading.
Sources
Lin, Albert Yu-Min, Po-Yu Chen, and Marc André Meyers. "The growth of nacre in the abalone shell." Acta Biomaterialia 4.1 (2008): 131-138.
Lin, Albert, and Marc André Meyers. "Growth and structure in abalone shell." Materials Science and Engineering: A 390.1-2 (2005): 27-41.
Olin, Paul. "Abalone Culture In Hawaii." University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI 96822 (1994).
Nie, Zongqing, and Suping Wang. "The status of abalone culture in China." Journal of Shellfish Research, vol. 23, no. 4, 2004, p. 941+. Gale Academic OneFile, . Accessed 21 Dec. 2020.
https://caseagrant.ucsd.edu/news/abalone-the-story-of-a-treasured-mollusk-on-the-california-coast
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3119014/
https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/white-abalone#:~:text=NOAA%20Fisheries%20listed%20white%20abalone,extinction%20of%20this%20unique%20species.
https://www.ucsusa.org/resources/co2-and-ocean-acidification