What in the world are Lachrymatories?
A Lacrymatory is a tear drop bottle. These small terra-cotta or glass bottles for tears are a type of bottle found in ancient tombs. Tear bottles are also called unguentaria, unguentarium, tear catcher, and tear vial. Perhaps, in the past, they contained the tears of mourners. Today, they are a thoughtful gift representing the tears we shed for both joyous and sad occasions. (photo from The Comfort Company)
"You keep track of
all my sorrows. You have
collected all my tears
in your bottle. You have
recorded each one in your book."
Psalm 56:8 (New Living Translation)
Why would I want a Tear Bottle?
What do they represent?
My first introduction to Tear Bottles occurred several years ago as I was leaving an organization I had been doing some volunteer counseling for. The director presented me with a beautiful tear bottle in an organza bag and said in effect, "This is to represent the tears that will be shed as your help people work toward healing." My Tear Bottle represents tears of emotional healing.Sometimes Tear Bottles represent tears of grief. I recently had a relative who suffered a miscarriage. My Tear Bottle to that couple would represent the knowledge that God is aware of the tears of pain and grief they shed as they grieve the loss of their baby.
Tear Bottles represent tears shed in sorrow, but also tears shed for joy. Think of weddings, coming-of-age ceremonies, and graduations. What's more joyous than the birth or adoption of a long awaited child?Tear Bottles would make unique and meaningful gifts for numerous occasions and to those in many professions. Ministers, lay counselors, professional therapists, funeral home workers, emergency services personnel and others in helping professions would all be wonderful recipients of a Tear Bottle. Ultimately, a Tear Bottle represents God's care for us in both the joyful and sorrowful times in our lives and the knowledge that He sees our tears and wants to help bear our burdens.
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History of Tear Bottles - Ancient Times
It is unknown when tear bottles or lachrymatories were first used. It seems that they were used in ancient times at least as far back as King David. Psalm 56:8, in the Old Testament refers to collecting tears in a bottle. King David's time was hundreds of years before Christ.
History of Tear Bottles - Roman Times
It seems that tear bottles were used fairly commonly during Roman times around the time of Christ. They were filled with mourners tears and placed in the tombs of the deceased loved ones as a sign of respect. It was during this time period that glass blowing was invented. 
by Dan Gerhartz
History of Tear Bottles - Victorian Era
The tradition of tear bottles reappeared during the Victorian time period of the 19th century. During this time these bottles were used with special stoppers. The mourners would collect their tears and mourn until the tears evaporated, thus showing the end of the mourning period.
History of Tear Bottles - American Civil War
During the American Civil War tear bottles were filled with a wife's tears to show her devotion for her soldier husband. In wealthy circles tear bottles were given to a wife or mother at the death of her husband or child. Once filled with tears, the bottle was sealed with wax to keep for remembrance.
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Contemporary Usage of Tear Bottles
Today tear bottles are used for symbolic gifts and for both joyous occasions and occasions of mourning.
- Weddings
- Graduations
- Births
- Rites of Passage
- Adoptions
- Illness
- Death of a Spouse
- Death of a Friend
- Death of a Child
- Stillbirth
- Miscarriage
- Death of a Pet
Tear Drop Bottles from Amazon
Tall Cobalt Blue Glass Tear Drop Bottle - 120cc
Amazon Price: (as of 12/31/2009) 
Tear Bottles in Blogs
- tears, bottles and trust
- In your view of the portrait, can you see God's tear bottle catching each drop? Understanding all the riches of Psalm 56:8 would take more than a brief post. but viewing the landscape of God's care is easily seen. ...
Tear Bottles Web Search
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Tear Bottles on eBay
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Lacrymatory or Tear Bottle links
Lacrymatory - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
What Wikipedia has to say about Lacrymatories.0 points
http://www.byleslies.com/TEAR BOTTLES.html
Egyptian hand blown Tear Bottles.0 points
Lachrymatory Tear Bottle History
Lachrymatory Tear Bottle History0 points
Tear Bottles
Tear bottles from The Comfort Company.0 points
Lachrymatory Tear Bottle History - from legends of Egypt and the Old Testament
Timeless Traditions offers lachrymatory tear bottl more...0 points
God's Tear Bottle
An article by Dr. Henry Morris, Ph.D.0 points
Hand blown Tear Bottles on eBay
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What do you think of Tear Bottles? Do you have one? How did you receive it?
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Reply
- spirituality spirituality May 12, 2009 @ 7:48 am
- great lens - blessed by a squidangel :)
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Reply
- CounselMom CounselMom Apr 9, 2009 @ 3:56 pm | in reply to Tiddledeewinks
- Are you perhaps thinking of the Scripture verse listed at the top of the page under the rose picture...Psalm 56:8?
I also added pets to my list as you suggested!
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Reply
- Tiddledeewinks Tiddledeewinks Apr 9, 2009 @ 2:38 pm
- I've heard of a scripture about God seeing the tears shed that went up to Him, or something similar. I would add to your list mourning for a lost pet, as they are family members, too. I've shed more tears over my dog than anyone I've lost.
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Reply
- caronia caronia Feb 19, 2009 @ 6:18 pm
- beautiful.I heard about those bottles, but I did not know I can own one.
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Reply
- Nathanville Nathanville Feb 19, 2009 @ 4:00 pm
- Thanks for visiting my Victorian Culture Group, and yes your lens about Tear Bottles would fit in as some were used during the Victorian era. Therefore you are welcome re-visit and join the group.
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- All about Tear Bottles
A Lacrymatory is a tear drop bottle. These small terra-cotta or glass bottles for tears are a type of bottle found in ancient tombs. Tear bottles are also called unguentaria, unguentarium, tear catcher, and tear vial. Perhaps, in the past, they conta... view lens -
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