Pearls of Great Price
Posted on Jan 13, 2010
Early in life we learn that “beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” Garage sale aficionados know this maxim as “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” However, “pearls of great price” for a culture and the rationale for why a specific item makes the transition from beauty (and/or trash) into treasure is not always clear. The common onion is one such curious example. Given the adversarial relationship between onions and the human eye, you will likely be surprised to learn that Egyptian King Ramses IV was entombed with onions in his eye sockets. Yet in ancient times, the onion was highly revered and a basketful of onions was a gift of regal proportions.
In fact, the English word onion derives from the Latin, unio and some report that its meaning was “great pearl.” The onion and some other members of the Allium genus (i.e. garlic, chives and leeks) also were thought to provide strength and courage. Scarcity of this vegetable in the region surrounding Egypt is most likely how these “pearls” gained their esteem and value. At least for the Egyptians, the onion’s many-layered growth pattern was apparently also seen as a symbol of eternity; it is this spiritual dimension that I’m guessing landed onions where King Ramses’ eyes used to reside. As cultivation improved and the onion spread, its value noticeably declined. Most of us in contemporary culture tolerate the flavor of onions and only weep at their irritation, rather than for the joy of receiving them as a priceless gift.
Fads, which esteem oddities, are clearly not only found in the past. The Antiques Roadshow is a hit show on PBS for a reason! Poodle Skirts, Nehru Jackets, Cabbage Patch Dolls and Pet Rocks have each had a run at immortality. Today’s students provide value to Kookies and Bottle Cap Necklaces. It is all great fun to watch fads come and go; however, it is also an opportunity to discuss with children why something has value and to explain how that value can be lost. What items have transcendent value and why? I trust that education is one such item on your list, as is the inherent value of the individuals with whom you share this life. Each of those items is clearly worth the investment. May the Year 2010 reveal many “pearls of great price” for your family and for RPDS!
