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

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From: INDOLOGY <indology-bounces@list.indology.info> on behalf of Paolo E. Rosati via INDOLOGY <indology@list.indology.info>
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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

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Paolo E. Rosati

PhD in Asian and African Studies

https://uniroma1.academia.edu/paoloerosati/

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