Since prehistoric times man has been fascinated by coral which, in spite of its mineral skeleton and vegetal aspect is, in reality, an animal. It was first used in the Upper Palaeolithic (approximately 20,000 B.C.). Later, it was represented on wall paintings and vases or used to make jewellery and other objects by the Egyptians, the Greeks and the Romans. The Christian religion adopted the red coral colour as a symbol of Christ's sacrifice. Coral is not a simple object but a gift from God. It was Perseus, who, according to Greek legend during a terrible battle with the Gorgon, cut off its head and put it on a bed of sea-weed. The sea-weed, covered with the freely flowing blood from the Gorgon's head, became petrified as coral and its seed spread over the waves.

Its divine origin has given it magical powers, enhanced by its being found in deep seas : it can calm evil spirits, protect the harvests, give fertility to the soil, defend ships against lightning, scare hatred from the house. In Antiquity, coral was exchanged for amber from the North Sea. In the Middle Ages, it was usual to carry a few pieces of coral in one's bag to ward off witches. It was also used medicinally for its various supposed virtues. As a powder, for example, it was added to baby food as a protection from epidemics (Liverino, 1983 ; Spinosa, 1990 ; Ascione, 1993).