{"id":1403,"date":"2015-04-28T21:15:00","date_gmt":"2015-04-29T02:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.scarboromissions.ca\/?page_id=1403"},"modified":"2019-10-10T15:03:43","modified_gmt":"2019-10-10T20:03:43","slug":"discovering-the-gold-in-the-golden-rule","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.scarboromissions.ca\/golden-rule\/discovering-the-gold-in-the-golden-rule","title":{"rendered":"Discovering ‘the Gold’ in the Golden Rule"},"content":{"rendered":"

Gold as Symbol<\/h2>\n

“There are realms of gold hidden deep in the human heart”<\/b>
\nHindu proverb<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Examining the Symbolic Meanings of Gold<\/h2>\n

The purpose of the chart below is to shed further light on the symbolic meaning of gold. It features 3 categories:<\/p>\n

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

      Click here<\/a> to view and print this table as a PDF document.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
      Symbolic meanings<\/td>\nPopular expressions<\/td>\nUses and qualities of Gold<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      \n
        \n
      • integrity<\/li>\n
      • compassion<\/li>\n
      • generosity<\/li>\n
      • goodness<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
      		“she is as good as gold””a heart of gold””he’s worth his weight in gold”<\/td>\n\n
        \n
      • since ancient times, gold has been a measure of value and wealth in numerous cultures<\/li>\n
      • gold is found in a relatively “pure” state in nature<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      \n
        \n
      • excellence<\/li>\n
      • the best<\/li>\n
      • the ultimate<\/li>\n
      • what is most sought after<\/li>\n
      • what is most valued<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
      		“going for the gold””I struck gold””a golden voice””everything he touches turns to gold”<\/p>\n

      “O, to wear a crown of gold”<\/td>\n

      		\n
        \n
      • gold is the most “precious” of metals<\/li>\n
      • gold is the “perfect” metal<\/li>\n
      • gold is sometimes described as the “superior” metal<\/li>\n
      • in sports and other fields, excellence is awarded with a “gold medal”<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      \n
        \n
      • what is most safeguarded<\/li>\n
      • what is most protected<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
      		“that’s like trying to break into Fort Knox”<\/td>\n\n
        \n
      • gold, given its great worth and value, needs to be secured from the threat of theft<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      \n
        \n
      • brilliance<\/li>\n
      • light<\/li>\n
      • illumination<\/li>\n
      • warmth<\/li>\n
      • spiritual realities<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
      		“her face shone like gold””it glitters like gold”<\/td>\n\n
        \n
      • gold is a bright, yellow, metallic and luminous metal<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      \n
        \n
      • maturity<\/li>\n
      • purity<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
      		“the golden years””a heart of gold”<\/td>\n\n
        \n
      • gold is found in a relatively “pure” form in nature<\/li>\n
      • gold, like all metals, must undergo a process of “refinement”<\/li>\n
      • gold’s physical incorruptibility gives it great “endurance”<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      \n
        \n
      • utopia<\/li>\n
      • ideal existence<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
      		“the golden age”<\/td>\n\n
        \n
      • 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<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      \n
        \n
      • wealth<\/li>\n
      • success<\/li>\n
      • prosperity<\/li>\n
      • abundance<\/li>\n
      • good fortune<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
      		“I struck gold””a heart of gold””it was like discovering a gold mine””golden opportunity”<\/p>\n

      “the Midas touch”<\/td>\n

      		\n
        \n
      • since ancient times, gold has been a measure of value and wealth in numerous cultures<\/li>\n
      • gold is the most “precious” of metals<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      \n
        \n
      • power<\/li>\n
      • authority<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
      		“O, to wear a crown of gold!”<\/td>\n\n