8 March - the International Women's Day

The International women’s day is a great occasion to celebrate the women and to begin one of the most beautiful seasons - the spring.

A little bit of history...

This day has beautiful traditions that have their origin in ancient Greece. Women required an exceptional attention one day a year. Even wars should be stopped in order the warriors can celebrate this day with their loved ones.

The idea of ​​celebrating this day is born at the beginning of the nineteenth century in the United States where the rapid industrialization and economic growth have caused the strikes of American workers against poor working conditions. One of the events took place in 8 of March, 1857, in the textile factory in New York, where women protested against poor working conditions and low salaries.

Claire Zetkin, the defender of woman rights, offers the idea to celebrate the international women‘s day on 8 of March, 1910. She proposed to dedicate one day a year for the fight against inequality of rights between men and women, as well as for the protection of the rights of women. For the first time, the International Women's Day was celebrated on 8 March 1911 in Germany, Austria, Denmark and Sweden.

This day has beautiful traditions: men offer flowers and small gifts for women, organize romantic dinner and do other lovely surprises.

Here are some gift ideas for the international women's day:

Bouquet of flowers. The flowers are an indispensable attribute for this day. What flowers to choose? One that your woman loves: tulips, lilies, roses or other. A pretty bouquet of favorite flowers will be a great surprise on this occasion.

Jewelry. If you want to show exceptional attention to your beloved, offer a beautiful jewel that will be the sign of your feelings, your love and respect. What jewelry item to choose? A fine jewelry item - symbol of your best intentions. A jewel with a beautiful bouquet of flowers - a perfect gift for this occasion.

Day SPA. This is a good idea! Every woman loves SPA procedures, massages ... Give her a day of total relaxation of body and mind.

Gemstones according to Chinese Zodiac

Chinese Zodiac is a scheme that relates each year to animal according to a 12-year mathematical cycle. Chinese Zodiac is similar to Western zodiac, because each has time cycles divided into 12 parts. The difference is that Chinese 12-part cycle refers to years rather than months. Also, it represents 12 animals, while Western zodiac includes not only animals but also some symbols from Greek etymology.

Rat	1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020
Ox	1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021
Tiger	1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022
Rabbit	1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023
Dragon	1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024
Snake	1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025
Horse	1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026
Goat	1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027
Monkey	1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028
Rooster	1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029
Dog	1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030
Pig	1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031

  

Rat

Year: 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020

Gemstone: amethyst, garnet, diamond

Ox

Year: 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021

Gemstone: agate, lazurite, moonstone, nephrite (jade), emerald

Tiger

Year: 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022

Gemstone: amethyst, ruby, topaz, diamond

Rabbit

Year: 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023

Gemstone: rock crystal, nephrite (jade), pearl, sapphire, emerald, topaz, black pearl

Dragon

Year: 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024

Gemstone: amethyst, amber, opal, sapphire, rose opal (Peru),

Snake

Year: 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025

Gemstone: jasper, bloodstone, opal, topaz, turquoise, rose opal (Peru)

Horse

Year: 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026

Gemstone: amethyst, garnet, obsidian, onyx, emerald, topaz, turquoise

Goat

Year: 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027

Gemstone: amber, carnelian, moonstone, nephrite (jade), sapphire, emerald

Monkey

Year: 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028

Gemstone: agate, garnet, rock crystal, peridot (olivine, chrisolite), ruby, tiger eye, topaz

Rooster

Year: 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029

Gemstone: amethyst, agate, citrine, ruby, topaz, tourmaline, diamond

Dog

Year: 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030

Gemstone: amber, jasper, carnelian, moonstone, pearl, sapphire, black pearl

Pig

Year: 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031

Gemstone: coral, lazurite, moonstone

Choosing a gemstone

The choice of the stone is very intimate and personal. You can choose the gemstone according to the East or Western zodiac or according to the birth month, day of the week or favourite colour. It is also possible to choose stone depending on what you need at the moment and what the stone can give you.

The stone can be chosen depending on your characteristics. In this case it is necessary to study the meanings of various gemstones. Anyway, the gemstone should be chosen by the light of nature, because the stone that attracts you at that particular moment is probably the one that you really need.

When buying stones for kids you should also take a look at some certain recommendations.

Gemstones can also be used in the workplaces and at home. Some are universal and can be placed anywhere while others better suits living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms or kids rooms. There is a particular category of stones which are best suited for the offices or for work rooms at home. When choosing gemstones for the premises it is necessary to know some principles, tricks and tips of Feng shui.

In the series of other posts I will try to present you with main ideas on how tochoose a perfect gemstone.