The origin of amethyst name and even explanation for some of it's healing
properties have been founded in the Greek mythology surrounding this
semi-precious stone. Amethyst's origin resides with the god Dionysus
(Bacchus) and the goddess Diana. Dionysus, the god of wine, celebration,
intoxication and joviality, found insult by a mortal who had refused him
acknowledgement. Enraged with anger Dionysus vowed to unleash his fury upon
all mortals who did not partake in his gifts of wine and drunkenness. He
immediately spotted a young maiden named Amethyst who was pure and
unfamiliar with being intoxicated. The unsuspecting young virgin, who was on
her way to pay homage to the goddess Diana, was detained by the wrathful
god. Dionysus summoned two fiercely voracious tigers to devour the youth and
sat back with his wine to watch. Amethyst cried out to Diana. When Diana saw
what was about to transpire she quickly transformed the young mortal into a
glimmering pure white stone (quartz) to protect her from the vicious wrath
of Dionysus. Moved with pity Dionysus realized the ruthlessness of his
actions and began to weep with sorrow. As the tears dripped into his goblet
Dionysus collapsed and the tear-tainted wine ran out onto the stone from the
tipped cup. The white stone then absorbed the color from the wine creating
the stone now called amethyst.
The most popular mythology surrounding amethyst is from ancient Greece. The word "amethyst" is of Greek origin and is translated as- "amethystus" meaning not drunken, or intoxicated ("-methystos" from "methyein" or intoxicated, "methy" = wine). As a symbol of sincerity and stability, the unique purple shades of amethyst have been declared the "Rose de France" and has been set, even today, in Victorian jewelry (rings, bracelets, necklaces, hair accessories etc.). The mythology of this stone, unsurprisingly, spreads through modern mythology and even ancient and recent legend.
