Published January 2015  •  Updated February 2024  •  Read Time: 6 minutes
Coral is often included in healing crystal lists.  Moonrise Crystals recommends using Agatized Coral, a fossil, rather than the dried skeletons of modern coral.  The Coral that is sold to jewelers and collectors is wild-harvested and this is rarely done in a responsible manner.  As recently as 2017, one of only two species of Red Coral was declared extinct in the world, specifically due to over-harvesting for these industries.  Red Coral has a beautiful energy that teaches us about interconnectedness and that are actions matter.  Its energy is best enjoyed by visiting aquariums and supporting organizations that protect our oceans.

Red Coral red coral meaning

Red Coral Meaning

Spiritual Healing Properties

Red Coral invites us to explore our true selves deeply and honestly, without false humility or blustering ego. It dares us to claim our most authentic spiritual and personal power – to stand out from the crowd and be who we truly are. Red Coral teaches us that when we are strong and independent we are also in the best position to serve others, and create healthy interdependence, much like how a Coral Reef creates a vibrant ecosystem.  It helps us to visualize our goals and understand both the practical and spiritual steps that are necessary in order to reach them.  Red Coral reminds us that every action, no matter how mundane, has a spiritual aspect to it.  As such, we can gradually learn how each movement is a form of prayer and every moment an act of devotion, and thus an opportunity to put forth our best self and to live fully alive.

Metaphysical Properties Red Coral
Chakra Root and Solar Plexus
Element Water
Numerology 4 and 22
Zodiac Libra

Emotional Healing Properties

Red Coral soothes and quiets turbulent emotions. It reminds us to breathe deeply and to step back and look at the situation logically and from a neutral mind. Red Coral offers protection and healing from the ravages of depression and anxiety. It is a phenomenal tool to use when working on First Chakra issues, which encompasses all of our most basic physical and emotional needs. Red Coral helps us to stay focused on those actions which strengthen our basic foundation. It encourages us to acknowledge our emotions, but to not let them run away with us.  Red Coral also helps us to explore any negative emotional beliefs we may have around money, love or safely.  It helps us to root out the original idea that made us think we weren’t worthy of good things, and to replace it with new ideas, ones which attract and cultivate true joy and abundance. It also helps us to better relate to others, especially those who have dramatically different lives from our own.

Mental Healing Properties

Red Coral has a unique energy that is both highly spiritual while also profoundly practical. This combined energy helps us to find balance in our own lives and to veer away from extreme actions and beliefs which do not serve us. Red Coral helps us to be in touch and trust our inherent common sense and to put that sense into action. It encourages us to routinely check in with ourselves to be sure that our thoughts, words and actions are consistent with our values. Taking it a step further, we are asked to check to make sure our values are in alignment with the Highest Good of all beings and our planet.  Red Coral is particularly good for entrepreneurs and business owners, helping us to ensure that our business is in alignment with our personal beliefs, and is a force of good in this world, giving as much or more, than it takes.

Physical Healing Properties

Red Coral is said to help reduce heartburn and treat colic, as well as severe cases of the hiccups. It is also believed to stimulate the metabolism and increase physical energy. It is commonly used by metaphysical healers to treat kidney and bladder disorders, as well as strengthening the skeletal system, particularly the spine.  Red Coral is said to nourish red blood cells and encourage a healthy immune system.

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Red Coral Mineralogy

Where does Red Coral come from?

Red Coral refers to two different species.  Corallium rubrum is an endangered species in the Mediterranean Sea.  Corallium japonicum was found in the waters of Southern China, but is now considered extinct due to aggressive over-harvesting by China.

Harvesting and Treatments

Most Coral is wild-harvested at a great environmental cost.  Coral species that grow nearer the surface are easier to collect, but also can recover more easily if protected.  When deep water Corals are over-harvested, the chances of recovery are much more slim.  While there are aquaculture farms that grow Coral, these begin with wild-harvesting, and the Coral is sold live to the aquarium trade.  The dried Coral sold to mineral collectors and jewelers is almost certainly wild-harvested.

Most of the time, dried Coral is white.  Only a few species retain their coloring.  Coral can be artificially dyed, either while still alive or after it has been dried.

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Red Coral Placeholder
Red Coral

The Environmental & Social Impact of Crystals

Your crystals should have a healing energy that is clean, powerful, & makes a positive difference.

Red Coral Species

The most popular Coral for metaphysical healing is Red Coral.  This can refer to two different species, Corallium rubrum a mid-depth species found in the Mediterranean, and Corallium japonicum a deep water species formerly found near Japan.  Both have been subjected to over-harvesting for the jewelry industry and for mineral collections.  Corallium japonicum was aggressively targeted by Chinese companies in the 21st century, and was declared extinct in the wild in 2017.  Corallium rubrum is endangered, but is slowly recovering in protected areas.

Coral Reef Formation

Coral reefs are among the most biological diverse habitats in the ocean.  They form when coral larvae attach to underwater rocks near the edge of land, and can take thousands of years to form.  There are three different types of coral reefs.  Fringing reefs form a border along the shoreline.  These are the reefs that create good waves for surfing.  Barrier reefs do the same thing, but are father out to sea and there is deep water in between the reef and the shoreland.  Atoll reefs started out as a fringing reef surrounding an underwater island.  As the reef grew, it forms a circular ring with a lagoon in the middle.  Different species can be found at the top, middle, and bottom of the reef.  Coral that grows closer to the surface grows more quickly, up to 4 inches (10 cm) a year, while deep water corals grow very slowly, as little as 0.1 inches (0.3 cm).

Species Corallium rubrum
Color Red
Depth 13 -115 feet (4-20 meters)
IUCN Classification Endangered
Skeletal System Hard
Species Corallium japonicum
Color Red
Depth 250 -918 feet (76-280 meters)
IUCN Classification Extinct in the Wild (declared 2017)
Skeletal System Hard

History of Red Coral

Agatized Coral is a best choice for anyone wanting to work with Coral energy.  These fossils come from ancient coral beds, many of which are now located inland and can be mined with a low environmental impact.  Dried Coral is widely available in specialty shops, but is not harvested in a sustainable manner and comes at a great environmental cost since it disrupts or even destroys living coral reefs in the ocean.  Farmed Coral begins with wild harvesting and depending on the location of the farm, they can be run responsibly or quite irresponsibly. Farmed Coral is used in the aquarium trade, but there is no evidence that it is being used for the collector’s market.  Coral has a long history as a healing stone.  Please see Agatized Coral to learn more.

Moonrise Crystals used to sell Red Coral that was polished in Hong Kong, and was said to be harvested in Chinese waters.  The large size of the pieces compared to the price, makes it extremely unlikely that it was authentic precious Red Coral.  Real Red Coral, from the Mediterranean and from Japan, grows in thin branches.  According to one jeweler, for every additional 1mm in diameter, the price will double.  The Red Coral sold on this website were large discs, about 1.5 inches (38mm) in diameter and were modestly priced.  This indicates that they were actually another variety of Coral that had been dyed red.

Coral will not be sold at Moonrise Crystals again.  When we know better, we do better.

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