The History of Worry Stones

In times of worry, we've all picked up a rock and rubbed it between our fingers or skipped it across the surface of a nearby stream. Stones have been sacred in various cultures for their ability to take away negativity. Worry stones are smooth stones that are rubbed between the fingers to calm away worries. Many of these stones can be found today in spiritual stores and contain one word affirmations.

In ancient times, worry stones were polished in nature from being washed up by the ocean or river. Today, most worry stones sold in shops are polished with machines or a tumbler.

Native Americans kept stones in sacred bundles, and the stones were believed to hold the power to heal. These stones were passed to each generation as a link to their ancestors. They were also rubbed between fingers to cast away worries. Quartz was believed to have the ability to absorb negativity.

Worry stones may have originated in Greece as Palm Stones. These stones were smooth from being polished by the sea.

Worry stones are similar to Komboloi, or worry beads used in Greece. The beads were used to say prayers by rubbing them between the fingers. They were also used to relieve tension.

Most cultures or religions have something similar to worry stones that are used to soothe away negativity and worry in either affirmations or prayer. During the Ottoman era, rock crystal beads were used as prayer beads because of the way light refracted from the stones. Today, there are the rosary beads used in Catholicism and mala beads used in Buddhism.