2009.07.07
Iraqis vs. Yellow Gold
Iraqi men do not commonly wear yellow gold. Maybe 1 in 20 do. The reasons are religious, cultural, and supposedly scientific, but, above all, they are surprising.
"The wearing of silk and gold has been made unlawful for males and lawful for the females of my nation.''
Many Iraqis believe that the religion of Islam forbids men from wearing gold but allows women. While this rule does not derive from the Quran, it is directly recorded in the sunnah, which is a record of traditions and actions of the prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him). The reality is that Muslims mimic the manner that he lived daily life.
Culturally, an Iraqi man who wears yellow gold is perceived as vain, as he attempts to make himself look more beautiful. Coupled with an understanding of science, this is why Iraqi men prefer white gold or platinum.
Iraqis believe that “scientists have proven” that wearing yellow gold allows the gold to break down red blood cells, which then die. The gold affects the blood, causing conditions, like Alzheimer’s disease. Women are able to release this bad blood through menstruation, so they can wear gold. Men, however, would need to be pricked and bled from certain places on the body, such as the upper shoulder, in order to get rid of the bad blood.
Another Iraqi claimed that women are not purified through menstruation, but rather just because they naturally have a higher red blood cell count and can sustain the loss.
One Iraqi explained, “White gold is okay. Platinum too. Just yellow gold affects the blood and is very bad.”
When asked if a higher karat of gold caused more problems, the Iraqi replied, “No. Do not be ridiculous.”
When one member of the team rubbed his wedding ring on an Iraqi’s arm, the Iraqi smiled saying, “It is not like getting cancer from second-hand smoke. This is not how it works.”
A quick search online found no results that could support any of the claims of scientific knowledge.
As the subject of the conversation delved into other beliefs through the sunnah, one of the Iraqis returned to the topic of gold, asking, “Why do you all wear these yellow rings? Your wives gave them to you?”
“Yes, in the States, a man wearing a simple yellow gold wedding ring band is just normal.”
With a smile and opened palms, the Iraqi said, “And Iraqi men prefer wearing silver or white gold.”
