clicked
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| Joined: 05 Jun 2010 |
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ahead007
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| Joined: 14 Nov 2010 |
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| 17 Dec 2013 04:07 PM |
| I'm a Catholic, so I hope I get some. |
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clicked
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| Joined: 05 Jun 2010 |
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| 17 Dec 2013 04:07 PM |
GIFT OF GOLD IS WHAT THE THREE KINGS GAVE TO JESUS
GOLD, FRANKINSENSE AND MYRRR
STUPID |
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| 17 Dec 2013 04:08 PM |
nce prized by ancient civilisations, the wise men’s iconic offerings were all hugely valuable and significant at the time of the Christmas story.
Gold is believed to symbolise Jesus’ kingship, frankincense represented his divinity and myrrh, which was used by the Ancient Egyptians for embalming mummies, foretold his death.
So how have history’s most famous Christmas gifts fared since the nativity 2,000 years ago?
Today gold remains a gift fit for a king, with a market value of more than £1,000 per troy ounce, having increased by more than 60 per cent since 2009.
‘At times of uncertainty, the value of gold tends to rise because people lose faith in paper money,’ said Catherine Schenk, professor of international economic history at the University of Glasgow.
‘The price of gold has soared since the start of the financial crisis. Gold is still most commonly used for ornamentation and jewellery and as a store of value.
‘It’s often given at weddings and christenings, so there’s some continuity there from the birth of Christ.’
Jewellery today accounts for almost 80 per cent of the 2,500 tonnes of gold that is mined every year, but the precious metal isn’t just for romantic surprises on Christmas day – gold also appears in many of your electronic gifts.
‘Most electronic devices contain small quantities of gold – your mobile phone, computer and car braking system all operate reliably thanks to this precious metal,’ said Dr Trevor Keel from the World Gold Council.
‘Gold nanoparticles are driving exciting progress in many fields of science, such as new potential treatments for cancer, improved pollution control and more efficient solar cell technologies.’
First used for jewellery in 2600 BC, gold has stood the test of time thanks to its unique combination of properties.
According to Dr Robert Chapman, lecturer in geochemistry at Leeds University, its golden colour, high density and malleability are what have continued to make it such a highly sought-after precious metal.
‘It also doesn’t tarnish and that’s the key thing – it’s very resistant to chemical change, which is why since antiquity it’s been viewed as a special substance. That and its colour made it very unique in terms of what the ancients had available,’ he said.
Frankincense and myrrh, the lesser known of the wise men’s gifts, retain many of their biblical uses. The fragrant plant resins, extracted from trees across dry areas of Africa and Arabia, are used for incense or distilled to produce essential oils for aromatherapy.
Frankincense.png-AY_100168994.jpg |
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| 17 Dec 2013 04:08 PM |
| @clicked: They are also known as the Three Magi, but aren't religious topics against the forum rules? |
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