The History and Folklore of Malachite

Malachite as a talisman for children by Marbode, in Germany, malachite was considered a protection from danger in falling, was well known in ancient Egyptians, and when engraved, became a powerful talisman

For some reason not easy to fathom, malachite was considered to be talisman peculiarly appropriate for children. If a piece of this stone were attached to an infant's cradle, all evil spirits were held aloof and the child slept soundly and peacefully. (Marbodei, "De lapidibus," Friburgi, 1531, fol. 51; Camilli Leonardi, "Speculum lapidum," Venetia, 1502, fol. xxxviii.) In some parts of Germany, malachite shared with turquoise the repute of protecting the wearer from danger in falling, and it also gave warning of approaching disaster by breaking into several pieces. (Chiocci, "Museum Calceolarium," Veronae, 1622.) This material was well known to the ancient Egyptians, malachite mines having been worked between Suez and Sinai as early as 4000 B.C.

The appropriate design to be engraved upon malachite was the image of the sun. Such a gem became a powerful talisman and protected the wearer from enchantments, from evil spirits, and from the attacks of venomous creatures. (De Boot, "Gemmarum et lapidum historia," Lug. Bat., 1636, lib. ii, cap. 113.) The sun, as the source of all light, was generally regarded as the deadly enemy of necromancers, witches, and demons, who delighted in the darkness and feared nothing more than the bright light of day.


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