Magnetic weapons

Rivkin · 19th September 2006, 01:00 AM

Richard Burton in his "book of the sword" tells us that ancient greeks believed magnets to posess healing properties and weapons, made from magnets to be extremely deadly.

Jens Nordlunde · 14th October 2006, 10:01 PM

Hi Rivkin,

I just saw your last two mails. No 114 I only understand part of, but that is not your fault, and what I understand is interesting. The last mail made me remember something from my childhood – I was told that if someone were cut with a magnetic knife, the wound would heal very slowly, if at all. The Indians seemed to mean that weapons made of lodestone, had a special meaning/force, as did many of the other peoples living in the area.

Rivkin · 22nd October 2006, 04:45 AM

Thank you very much,

Here is what I found rereading my books:

Adzhaib Ad'Dunia "The miracles of the world"
"Indians have a miracle steel... Magnets do not attract it...If you make a sword out of it and kill someone with it, no blood will spill, the arrows made from it can penetrate stone, it does not get hot in fire... It is used to make swords of indian rulers... they do not export it, searching all the traders for it when they leave..."

Jens Nordlunde · 22nd October 2006, 10:22 AM

I tried a search for the book, but without any result. Can you tell more about the book?

Sounds like a strange metal, I wonder what he was referring to?

Ann Feuerbach · 22nd October 2006, 03:41 PM

All very interesting. Thanks Rivkin for the reference...I will try to get it.
I am presently further looking into the "receipes" used for crucible steel production and the symbolism of the ingredients (rather than the strick material science of the ingredients). The use of magnetic ores, meteorites etc are all interesting additions. I am currrently trying to find out the symbolism of coral, as it is sometimes an ingredient.

Jeff D · 22nd October 2006, 05:11 PM

From The Complete Dictionary of Symbols in Myth, art and Literature by Jack Tresidder
"Coral
Linked with healing power - an association based on tree, water and blood symbolism. In Classical mythology, the Mediterranean red coral grew from the blood of the Gorgan Medusa; after Perseus had rescued Andromeda from Cetus, the sea monster it is said that he laid the Gorgan's head down and immediately the sea weed turned into coral. Vasari illustrates this on a cabinet door of the studiolo of Francesco I (Palazzo Vechio, Florence) to indicate the precious contents. Coral was also thought to be a protection against evil. In Roman times, amulets of coral were thought to stem bleeding and protect children from illness or the fury of the elements, and coral necklaces were also popular medieval talisman for children. At one time, coral decorated Celtic weapons and helments. It was prized in India where jet black coral was used to make sceptres."

This is Eurocentric but maybe of some use to you.

All the Best
Jeff

Ann Feuerbach · 22nd October 2006, 11:12 PM

Thanks Jeff, it is a start. Interesting how it is said to stem bleeding.

Rivkin · 23rd October 2006, 06:40 AM

The only reference to coralls I remember is from Maqrizi who says that coralls are like steel in the way that like Allah made steel soft for David so he would make mails, coralls are a stone but can be made soft to make jewelry. Something like this

.

I did not like the "miracles of the world". It just has this small segment about weapons, the rest is about other miracles.

19th September 2006, 01:00 AM	#1
Rivkin Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 655	Richard Burton in his "book of the sword" tells us that ancient greeks believed magnets to posess healing properties and weapons, made from magnets to be extremely deadly.

14th October 2006, 10:01 PM	#2
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Hi Rivkin, I just saw your last two mails. No 114 I only understand part of, but that is not your fault, and what I understand is interesting. The last mail made me remember something from my childhood – I was told that if someone were cut with a magnetic knife, the wound would heal very slowly, if at all. The Indians seemed to mean that weapons made of lodestone, had a special meaning/force, as did many of the other peoples living in the area.

22nd October 2006, 04:45 AM	#3
Rivkin Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 655	Thank you very much, Here is what I found rereading my books: Adzhaib Ad'Dunia "The miracles of the world" "Indians have a miracle steel... Magnets do not attract it...If you make a sword out of it and kill someone with it, no blood will spill, the arrows made from it can penetrate stone, it does not get hot in fire... It is used to make swords of indian rulers... they do not export it, searching all the traders for it when they leave..."

22nd October 2006, 10:22 AM	#4
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	I tried a search for the book, but without any result. Can you tell more about the book? Sounds like a strange metal, I wonder what he was referring to?

22nd October 2006, 03:41 PM	#5
Ann Feuerbach Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 133	All very interesting. Thanks Rivkin for the reference...I will try to get it. I am presently further looking into the "receipes" used for crucible steel production and the symbolism of the ingredients (rather than the strick material science of the ingredients). The use of magnetic ores, meteorites etc are all interesting additions. I am currrently trying to find out the symbolism of coral, as it is sometimes an ingredient.

22nd October 2006, 05:11 PM	#6
Jeff D Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: B.C. Canada Posts: 473	From The Complete Dictionary of Symbols in Myth, art and Literature by Jack Tresidder "Coral Linked with healing power - an association based on tree, water and blood symbolism. In Classical mythology, the Mediterranean red coral grew from the blood of the Gorgan Medusa; after Perseus had rescued Andromeda from Cetus, the sea monster it is said that he laid the Gorgan's head down and immediately the sea weed turned into coral. Vasari illustrates this on a cabinet door of the studiolo of Francesco I (Palazzo Vechio, Florence) to indicate the precious contents. Coral was also thought to be a protection against evil. In Roman times, amulets of coral were thought to stem bleeding and protect children from illness or the fury of the elements, and coral necklaces were also popular medieval talisman for children. At one time, coral decorated Celtic weapons and helments. It was prized in India where jet black coral was used to make sceptres." This is Eurocentric but maybe of some use to you. All the Best Jeff

22nd October 2006, 11:12 PM	#7
Ann Feuerbach Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 133	Thanks Jeff, it is a start. Interesting how it is said to stem bleeding.

23rd October 2006, 06:40 AM	#8
Rivkin Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 655	The only reference to coralls I remember is from Maqrizi who says that coralls are like steel in the way that like Allah made steel soft for David so he would make mails, coralls are a stone but can be made soft to make jewelry. Something like this . I did not like the "miracles of the world". It just has this small segment about weapons, the rest is about other miracles.