Ancient, Medieval and Oriental Amulets Kunz: Magic of Jewels Page 364



	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.