What are their purpose?
February 1999
by Jane Doherty The purpose of the crystal skulls is a mystery. There are several factors that need to be considered in order to define the possible purpose of the crystal skulls. Meanings to words are subject to change according to the era and culture we live in. For example the word chips to Americans usually refers to potato chips. However, if you ordered potato chips in England, you would be served a European version of fried potatoes, not the thin, salty, crispy chips packaged in a bag. And so it is with crystal.
A piece of quartz crystal rock to some people is simply a rock. To others the crystal may seem mystical and a product of the "New Age." To engineers, scientists and communication specialists quartz crystal is a key component in radio, television,, watches, radar, sonar and computers. In the future quartz crystal may be used in advanced technology we are not yet aware. But to ancient man quartz crystal was none of these. Ancient man's view of crystal may have a significant importance in determining the meaning of the crystal skulls.
To ancient man rock crystal came from heaven. Ancient people believed rock crystal, as well as diamonds, crystal and glass were all frozen water from heaven. According to ancient belief, God spilled water from heaven. As the water came closer to earth, it became frozen in outer space. Thus the holy ice was preserved in solid form for the protection and blessing of man. To ancient man crystal dispelled sorcery and bestowed divine power on the wearer. In early Egypt a small circular piece of crystal was placed on the center of the forehead of the deceased before mummification. This circular crystal created a sort of artificial third eye to help the newly dead find their way to the splendors of eternity. The Druids carried a crystal as a symbol of their spiritual power and the Vikings used crystal as an aid in navigation. During the Middle Ages crystal inlays were used in church altars, the most sacred part of the church. The altar was usually inlaid with seven stones and repeated in church altars throughout the world. The number seven is a mystical number.
In the King James version of the Bible, there are several references to the Urim and the Thurmmin. Webster's dictionary defines the Urim and the Thurmmin as certain objects mentioned in the Old Testament as being mediums for the revelation of the will of God to his people. Crystal vibrates at its own speed. When a human touches crystal it changes the vibration of the crystal. Either the crystal vibration matches its owners vibration or develops a vibration that harmonizes with the human's vibration. In essence crystal is just a piece of crystal until it is energized by a person. A crystal can be compared to a radio not switched on until the crystal is energized in some way. Skulls have been objects of veneration from the primitive day's of civilization. In many cultures skulls have been repeated symbols of varying degrees representing death,destruction, rebirth, knowledge and wisdom of the highest orders. Skulls probably had influence in history because priests, shamans, monks or others of recognized wisdom in the respective cultures likely used them. The skulls were used in rituals as symbols of higher knowledge, wisdom, magic and probably even as a symbol of God in some cultures. The skull shape as well as the material it was made from is both important.
In early Christianity the symbol of a skull, although not crystal, was a familiar motif in Italian paintings, women's jewelry, and even seen in religious icons. Some of the first crosses displayed an image of a skull next to the crucified feet of Jesus. The meaning of a skull in earlier days probably represented higher wisdom or protection from a higher power that is opposed to the familiar meaning of skulls today. A picture of a skull with cross bones is a symbol for danger or poisonous substances, especially visible on containers of cleaning solutions. And not too long ago pirates, who pilfered, murdered and destroyed, displayed the skull and cross bone symbols on the flags flown from their pirate ships.
The ancient Mayans had no fear of death. They believed that life and death are mutually interdependent. Life and death were two united and opposing forces that runs through all things. To die was to be reborn according to the ancient Mayans. By reconnecting with their ancestors in spirit the Mayans triumphed over death itself to eventually ascend to the higher heavens. The skulls represented the means to get there. In 1966 Jose' Diaz-Bolio discovered that Mayan geometry was based on the rattlesnake's skin pattern. This pattern was also used by other Meso-American civilizations. According to Jose' Diaz-Bolio in his instructive Guide To The Ruins Of Chichen Itza , this mathematical pattern of nature was in the Yucatan hundreds or maybe even millions of years before any archaeologists or historical civilizations. Therefore, Mayan geometry existed before Pythagoras which may indicate that the source of civilization was in the Yucatan. If the Meso-American cultures were indeed the source of civilization, then the crystal skulls could hold a lot of information about the beginning of our planets history. This discovery may also indicate why the skulls are found in Mayan ruins and could also be significant information in understanding the origin of the skulls.