Dear Paola,

Various versions of the myths concerning the origins of pearl are found in the texts translated by Louis Finot in Les Lapidaires Indiens. https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.291975/mode/2up

There are various types of pearls described in these texts, some of them seemingly mythical or hypothetical—​oyster pearls are only one type​. The myths about oyster pearls usually have something to do with rainwater dropping into oysters but no lightning, as far as I'm aware. I do vaguely recall one text describing how to obtain pearls from nāgas, or check if a pearl is truly from a nāga, and as I recall that process does have something to do with lightning. But I don't think lightning is present in the formation of the pearl. Perhaps Eliade confused these stories?

Best,
James Reich
From: INDOLOGY <indology-bounces@list.indology.info> on behalf of Paolo E. Rosati via INDOLOGY <indology@list.indology.info>
Sent: Thursday, April 25, 2024 5:45 AM
To: Indology <indology@list.indology.info>
Subject: [INDOLOGY] mythologies of the pearl
 
Dear all,

while I was reading Eliade's Images and Symbols, my attention was struck by his vague reference to an "oriental mythology", which affirms that the pearl was born from the penetration of a lightning inside a shell/oyster.

I think he got this information from Realencyclopädie der Classischen Altertumswissenschaft (entry: "Margaritai"), but I am not sure at all.

Can someone indicate a more specific reference to this myth? or to other myths related to the pearl?

With my best wishes,
Paolo

--
Paolo E. Rosati
PhD in Asian and African Studies
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