Lapis Lazuli — Truth and Vision

With its deep celestial blue flecked with golden pyrite, lapis lazuli has been revered for millennia as a stone of wisdom and inner vision. Ancient civilizations from Mesopotamia to Egypt carved it into amulets, seals, and sacred objects, believing it to hold the light of the heavens within. Its presence has always been linked to truth, clarity, and spiritual awakening.

In Daoist Five Element theory, lapis lazuli resonates with the Water element, the source of wisdom (zhi), depth, and the stillness that nurtures insight. Like the night sky reflected in calm waters, it draws the mind inward, guiding the Shen (spirit) toward truth and honest expression. It is a stone that helps dissolve illusion and strengthens the courage to see clearly.

Worn close to the skin, lapis supports communication, self-expression, and the release of suppressed emotions. It encourages alignment between thought and word and protects the spirit from distraction. Across traditions, it has been valued as a guardian of truth and a guide to deeper self-knowledge and clarity.

Mineral composition: Lapis lazuli is a metamorphic rock composed primarily of lazurite, with inclusions of calcite and pyrite. Its intense blue comes from sulfur within lazurite, while golden pyrite inclusions give it a celestial sparkle, symbolizing illumination within darkness.

Primary sources: Afghanistan, Chile, Russia, Pakistan, Myanmar, United States

Element: Water

Virtues: Wisdom (zhi), Truth, Clarity, Vision

Cleansing and charging: Cleanse gently with running water or smoke. Recharge in moonlight, avoiding long exposure to sunlight to preserve its color.