316 , THE MAGIC OP JEWELS AND CHAEMS
annual
assemblage of pilgrims at the shrine of Mecca, it is customary to
slaughter an immense number of sheep, and certain of the Persian
pilgrims will secure possession of some of the eyes of their
sacrificial victims, and will embed turquoises in them, firmly
believing that in this way they have composed an infallible amulet
against the Evil Eye.4»
A
Persian manuscript of a work entitled "Nozhat Namah Ellaiy," written in
the eleventh century by Schem Eddin, the transcription being dated
1304, asserts that the turquoise (piruzeh), though lacking in
brilliancy, was esteemed to be a stone of good omen, and one that
would bring good luck, since this was indicated by its name, signifying
in Persian, "the Victorious."5
One
of the Egyptian tales from the time of the early dynasties shows the
value placed upon the turquoise in Egypt at that time. This recital
occurs in Baufra's Tale. The reigning Pharaoh, to relieve a fit of
mental depression, took a pleasure trip on the palace lake in a boat
rowed by twenty beautiful and richly attired maidens. While bending
over her oar, one of the maidens let fall into the water from her
hair-adornment a fine turquoise (Egypt mafkat, thus rendered by
Pétrie) and was deeply chagrined at the loss. However, the court
magician Zazamankh, who accompanied the sovereign, by his magic arts
was able to provide a remedy, for on his reciting a charm of great
power the turquoise rose up through the water so that it could be
picked up from the surface and returned to its disconsolate owner.83·
The Egyptians believed that the different kinds of pre-
*» Pogue, " The Turquois," Washington, 1915, citing an article by Sikes, in " Folklore," vol. xii, p. 268, London, 1901.
*
Cited by Joseph E. Pogue, in " The Turquois " ; Memoirs of the National
Academy of Sciences, vol. xii, pt. ii, Third Memoir, Washington, 1915,
p. 13. From Ouseley, " Travels in Various Countries of the East, more
Particularly Persia," London, 1819, vol. i, pp. 210-212.
•»Pogue,
"The Turquois," Washington* 1915, citing Pétrie "Egyptian Tales, First
Series, Fourth to Twelfth Dynasty," London, 1895, pp. 16-22.
