Discovering ‘the Gold’ in the Golden Rule

Gold as Symbol

“There are realms of gold hidden deep in the human heart”
Hindu proverb

Gold has a symbolic value and a psychological appeal that stretches across the cultures of history. Gold is a common metaphor in many of the world’s languages. As a metaphor, it points to what is superlative in all things human. Indeed, gold symbolizes what is purest, most excellent, most noble, most enduring, most sought after, most ideal and most valued in terms of human aspirations, human behaviour and human relationships.

Until very recently, gold was considered to be the most valuable of metals. This explains why the metaphorical use of “gold” has become so deeply embedded in human language. From an economic perspective, gold is no longer the most valuable metal yet it retains its power as a metaphor for what is most valued in human experience.

It is therefore no surprise that the Golden Rule contains a “gold” metaphor – after all, some consider the Golden Rule to be the most universal of moral principles.

Examining the Symbolic Meanings of Gold

The purpose of the chart below is to shed further light on the symbolic meaning of gold. It features 3 categories:

1. Symbolic meanings: values, qualities or characteristics which gold symbolizes.
2. Popular expressions: some of the numerous expressions that refer to “gold”.
3. Uses and qualities of gold: uses and qualities (actual or implied) of gold.

Click here to view and print this table as a PDF document.

Symbolic meanings	Popular expressions	Uses and qualities of Gold
integrity compassion generosity goodness	“she is as good as gold””a heart of gold””he’s worth his weight in gold”	since ancient times, gold has been a measure of value and wealth in numerous cultures gold is found in a relatively “pure” state in nature
excellence the best the ultimate what is most sought after what is most valued	“going for the gold””I struck gold””a golden voice””everything he touches turns to gold” “O, to wear a crown of gold”	gold is the most “precious” of metals gold is the “perfect” metal gold is sometimes described as the “superior” metal in sports and other fields, excellence is awarded with a “gold medal”
what is most safeguarded what is most protected	“that’s like trying to break into Fort Knox”	gold, given its great worth and value, needs to be secured from the threat of theft
brilliance light illumination warmth spiritual realities	“her face shone like gold””it glitters like gold”	gold is a bright, yellow, metallic and luminous metal
maturity purity	“the golden years””a heart of gold”	gold is found in a relatively “pure” form in nature gold, like all metals, must undergo a process of “refinement” gold’s physical incorruptibility gives it great “endurance”
utopia ideal existence	“the golden age”	the word “gold” is sometimes used to describe periods in history – past or future – that are characterized by peace, abundance, achievement, order, freedom and idealism
wealth success prosperity abundance good fortune	“I struck gold””a heart of gold””it was like discovering a gold mine””golden opportunity” “the Midas touch”	since ancient times, gold has been a measure of value and wealth in numerous cultures gold is the most “precious” of metals
power authority	“O, to wear a crown of gold!”	gold has often adorned the crowns of kings and rulers

Other Symbolic Meanings of Gold

Gold as “incorruptible”

Gold is impervious to nature and does not rust, tarnish or dull with time. In numerous cultures throughout history, this physical quality of gold has been a symbol for a number of realities that include:

timelessness, changelessness, paradise, heaven, celestial truths, eternity, spiritual realities, incorruptibility, immortality, imperishability, permanence

In the history of religions, gold has both symbolized and embodied “the imperishable”. In many cultures, including that of ancient Egypt, the dead were encased in gold to symbolize the hopes and expectations of eternal life. The life of the dead, it was believed, would be as enduring as gold.

In many traditions, images of religious figures and icons are gold or gold-leafed. In temples and houses of worship of various religions, gold is often prominent and is representative of the truths – pure, eternal, incorruptible and celestial – that are believed to be embodied there. An example is the Golden Temple (Sikh) in Amritsar, India.

In some traditions, heaven or paradise is portrayed using “gold” imagery: “The streets of heaven are paved with gold.” In ancient China, gold was identified with heaven.

Gold is therefore a symbol for sacred space as well as for sacred time (“the golden age”).

Gold and Spiritual Illumination

Gold is a bright, yellow, metallic and luminous metal. These physical qualities symbolize illumination, light and brilliance. Gold can also symbolize illumination, light and enlightenment in a spiritual sense. For example, the gold sections of the robes of Tibetan Buddhist monks symbolize spiritual enlightenment.

“To become gold is to become light,
and the light in this precise sense is Truth itself”.
Hazrat Inayat Khan, Sufi Teacher, 1882-1927

The term “the Buddha” means the one who became enlightened, the one who woke up, the one who achieved spiritual illumination. The Buddha is frequently portrayed in gold. One of the most impressive examples is the huge image of the Buddha found in the Wat Traimit in Bangkok, Thailand – an image made entirely of gold.

Perfection

Gold is sometimes referred to as the “perfect” metal and is a symbol of perfection in the realms of the material, the physical, the mental and the spiritual

The Golden Rule – A Universal Standard

Throughout most of human history, gold has been the most prized of elements. Since ancient times, it has served as a medium of exchange between individuals and between nations. In fact, from 1870 to 1914 the world followed “the gold standard.” During this period, the world’s currencies were based on gold.

Gold is no longer a universal monetary standard. But it continues to set a universal ethical standard. The Golden Rule is arguably the most consistent and most universal ethical principle in history. Known also as the Ethic of Reciprocity, the Golden Rule finds expression in numerous cultures, religions, ethical systems, and secular philosophies. And because the Golden Rule crosses so many traditions and philosophies, it possesses tremendous moral authority and reveals a profound unity underlying the diversity of human experience.

The Golden Rule, with roots in a wide range of the world’s cultures, is well suited to be a global standard in resolving conflicts. As the world becomes more and more a single interacting global community, the need for such a common standard is becoming more urgent.

How, then, is one to measure the value of the “gold” in the Golden Rule? The Golden Rule expresses values that are universal and timeless. It challenges everyone to aim for the “gold medal” in all things human. Indeed, some have argued that the Golden Rule is the universal standard by which all human behaviour is to be judged.

“We have committed the golden rule to memory; let us now commit it to life”.
Edwin Markham, American poet (1852-1940)

Compiled by Paul McKenna, Leslie Mezei, Charles Purdy, Kathy (VanLoon) Gillis, David Warren, SFM and J.W. Windland

Permission to Reprint or Reproduce this Document:

Scarboro Missions encourages the reproduction and use of this document for educational purposes for limited distribution. For permission to reproduce this document for commercial use or large-scale distribution, contact Paul McKenna at interfaithgold@gmail.com