IX Birth-Stones
Project Gutenberg EPUB3 edition
Kunz, George Frederick
Benjamin
Sagittarius
Dan
Capricorn
Naphtali
Aquarius
Asher
Pisces
For Rabanus Maurus the nine gems of the king of Tyre named in Ezekiel xxxviii, 13, are types of the nine orders of angels, just as the twelve foundation stones of Revelation signify the twelve apostles.434
It is evident, from early and later usage, that, at the place and time where and when these stones were first utilized for birth-stones, the year must have begun with the month of March. This will be apparent when we compare the following eight lists, carefully gathered from various sources:
Month
Jews
Romans
Isidore Bishop of Seville
Arabians
January
Garnet
Garnet
Hyacinth
Garnet
February
Amethyst
Amethyst
Amethyst
Amethyst
March
Jasper
Bloodstone
Jasper
Bloodstone
April
Sapphire
Sapphire
Sapphire
Sapphire
May
Chalcedony Carnelian Agate
Agate
Agate
Emerald