Coral in Ancient India: Moonga & Mars Stone

Moonga: The Red Gem of Mars

Red coral, known in Sanskrit as Praval or Vidruma and in Hindi as Moonga, held a unique and powerful position in ancient Indian gem culture. Unlike the mineral gemstones of the Navaratna system, coral is an organic gem, formed from the calcium carbonate skeletons of marine organisms called coral polyps. Yet despite its organic origin, coral was accorded the same sacred status as diamonds, rubies, and sapphires in the Vedic gem tradition, and its association with Mars, Mangal, the planet of energy, courage, ambition, and martial power, made it one of the most important gems for warriors, leaders, and all those who needed to cultivate strength, determination, and the capacity for decisive action.

The Coral in Sanskrit Literature

Coral appears throughout ancient Indian literature under several Sanskrit names. Praval is the most common Sanskrit term, while Vidruma means that which has grown from a tree, reflecting the ancient Indian understanding of coral as a kind of underwater plant. The Ratnapariksha and other Sanskrit gemological texts describe the ideal coral as one of deep, even red color, perfectly smooth surface, and brilliant luster, free from spots, cracks, or any irregularity. The texts distinguish between corals of different colors, noting that the finest and most auspicious coral is of deep ox-blood red, while lighter pink and orange corals are considered less powerful.

The Arthashastra of Kautilya mentions coral among the valuable commodities of trade, noting its sources in the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea. Ancient Indian texts describe coral as a protective gem, capable of warding off evil spirits, the evil eye, and various forms of misfortune. This protective quality made coral particularly popular as a gem for children, and the tradition of giving coral jewelry to infants and young children as protection against harm continues in India to the present day.

Mars and the Coral: Vedic Astrological Tradition

In the Navaratna system of Vedic astrology, red coral is associated with Mars, Mangal, the planet of energy, courage, ambition, physical strength, and martial power. Mars governs the capacity for decisive action, the warrior spirit, physical vitality, and the drive to achieve and compete. The coral, as Mars's gem, is believed to enhance all these qualities in its wearer: strengthening physical vitality, enhancing courage and determination, bringing success in competitive endeavors, and supporting all forms of physical and martial activity.

The Vedic astrological tradition surrounding coral is generally positive for those with a strong or favorably placed Mars in their horoscope. Vedic astrologers prescribe coral to those who need to strengthen their Mars energy: those who lack confidence or decisiveness, those who suffer from low physical vitality or chronic illness, those who face significant competition or conflict, and those whose professions require physical strength, courage, or competitive drive. The coral prescribed for astrological purposes should be of natural origin, deep red in color, and free from significant flaws.

Mars is also associated with blood, surgery, and the medical profession in Vedic astrology, and coral is sometimes prescribed for those in medical professions or for those recovering from surgery or illness. The coral's red color, the color of blood and of vital energy, reinforces this association with the body's physical vitality and regenerative capacity.

Sources of Indian Coral

Red coral is not found in Indian waters but was imported into India from the Mediterranean Sea, particularly from the waters around Sicily, Sardinia, and the coast of North Africa, where the finest red coral, Corallium rubrum, has been harvested since antiquity. The Mediterranean coral trade with India was one of the most ancient and most important components of the Indian Ocean trade network, with coral moving eastward from the Mediterranean to India in exchange for spices, textiles, and other Indian goods.

The coral trade route passed through the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea, connecting the Mediterranean world with the Indian subcontinent through a network of ports and trading cities that included Alexandria, Aden, and the great ports of the western Indian coast. The Periplus of the Erythraean Sea, a Greek trading manual of the 1st century CE, mentions coral as one of the important imports into India, confirming the antiquity and importance of this trade.

Japanese coral, from the waters around Japan and Taiwan, also reached India through the maritime trade networks of Southeast Asia, though it was generally considered inferior to Mediterranean coral for astrological purposes. The finest Mediterranean coral, known as ox-blood coral for its deep, even red color, commanded the highest prices in Indian markets and was reserved for the most important astrological and decorative uses.

Coral in Indian Royal and Protective Tradition

Coral's association with Mars and with protective power made it a popular gem in Indian royal culture, particularly among the warrior castes and military leaders who identified with Mars's martial energy. Rajput warriors wore coral as a protective talisman in battle, believing that Mars's energy, channeled through the coral, would give them courage, strength, and protection from harm. Coral-handled weapons and coral-adorned armor were prized possessions of Indian warriors, combining the practical function of the weapon with the spiritual protection of the gem.

The protective use of coral extended beyond the battlefield to everyday life. Coral necklaces and bracelets were given to infants and young children as protection against the evil eye and various forms of spiritual harm. This tradition, rooted in the ancient Indian belief in coral's protective power, continues in many parts of India today, where coral jewelry remains a popular gift for newborns and young children.

Coral in Indian Temple Tradition

Coral played a role in Indian temple worship, where it was offered to deities associated with Mars and with protective power. The god Kartikeya, the divine warrior and commander of the celestial armies, is particularly associated with coral, and offerings of coral are made at Kartikeya temples throughout South India. The goddess Durga, the fierce warrior goddess who destroys evil and protects her devotees, is also associated with coral, and coral offerings are made at Durga temples during the festival of Navaratri.

Distinguishing Natural Coral from Imitations

The ancient Indian gemological tradition developed methods for distinguishing genuine red coral from the various imitations that were common in ancient gem markets. Dyed bone, red glass, and various red stones were used as coral substitutes, and the Sanskrit gemological texts describe tests for distinguishing genuine coral from these imitations. The most reliable test was the hardness test, as genuine coral is relatively soft and can be scratched by a knife, while glass and stone imitations are harder. The texture test, in which the surface of the coral is examined for the characteristic branching structure of genuine coral, was also used.

Legacy of Coral in Indian Culture

The coral's legacy in Indian culture is one of remarkable continuity. The Vedic astrological tradition that associates coral with Mars remains a living practice, and natural Mediterranean coral continues to be prescribed by Vedic astrologers for those with weak or afflicted Mars in their horoscopes. The tradition of giving coral jewelry to children as protection continues in many parts of India. The finest Mediterranean coral continues to command significant prices in the Indian gem market, and the ancient Indian standards for coral quality, emphasizing deep, even red color and smooth, unblemished surface, remain the benchmark for coral evaluation today. The coral's journey from the depths of the Mediterranean Sea to the treasuries of Indian kings and the altars of Indian temples is one of the most ancient and most enduring chapters in the history of the Indian gem trade.