Бележки за символиката на златото
Notes About the Symbol of Gold

Summary/Abstract: The symbol of gold is deeply in the culture of different societiesin human history. The meanings of gold are universal for monotheistic andpolytheistic religions and traditions. They are united around the ideas of salvation,glory and eternity. Gold is associated with the notion of political and secularpower. Ritual attributes are made of precious material. This increased theirsemiotic status and turned into golden “pass” to the afterlife. In biblical texts, theyellow metal is a symbol representing the invaluable and lasting, timeless natureof spiritual things - such as faith or the Scriptures. The glitter of gold quitenaturally perceived as a bearer of light. In Christian symbolism, light occupies animportant place. The painting is full of light – so-called “golden” system ofnymphs and rays. “Golden” is Bulgarian medieval capital Preslav in the writingsof John Ekzarh. The symbol of “gold” is forming a system of signs that give birthto a myth – the Golden Age. This is a metaphor that is still present in the ancientliterature.The discovered golden finds of representative nature are: the triple relicsof Pliska, the liturgical gold discos found in Preslav, a ring with polychromaticenamel decoration from the necropolis at the apses of the Great Basilica in Pliska,separate golden appliqués performed in the same jewelery technique by Preslavand the most emblematic for the epoch compilation of monuments that came intoscience as “Preslav Gold treasure”. Objects made of gold quickly change theirowners, and hence their geographic position. They can easily become a prey or agift of peace.The good, positive aspect of gold symbolism is preserved in variousmetaphors. Gold-plated, meaning godly, pure, near perfection, and essentiallyfollowing the biblical archetype, the complex of epithets for personalities,attributes and creations of human intelligence and skills of past epochs should beperceived.

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