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As a medical term
A carbuncle is an abscess larger than a boil, usually with one or more openings draining pus onto the skin. It is usually caused by bacterial infection. It is treated by drainage of the carbuncle, once it begins to point, along with administration of antibiotics.
In gemology
A carbuncle (hist. German: Karfunkel) is a term for a convex, unfaceted, deep-red garnet.
In the Bible
The word carbuncle occurs in four places in most translations of the Bible. Each use originates from the same Hebrew word בָּרְקַת בָּרְקַת or bâreqath bâreqath (baw-reh'-keth, baw-rek-ath'). In this sense, a carbuncle is usually taken to mean a gem, particularly a deep-red garnet, unfaceted and convex; however, the Hebrew definition is less definite and the precise color of the gems is not known.
- Bible,_King_James,_Exodus#Chapter_28 and Bible,_King_James,_Exodus#Chapter_39 both refer to the carbuncle's use as the third stone in the breastplate of the Hoshen.
- Bible,_King_James,_Ezekiel#Chapter_28 refers to the carbuncle's presence in the Garden of Eden.
- Bible,_King_James,_Isaiah#Chapter_54 uses carbuncle to convey the value of the Lord's blessing on His faithful servants.
In mythology
Carbuncle is also the term given to a mythical beast reportedly sighted in the Americas by early Spanish conquistadors. Although no firm eyewitness accounts are available, they have been described as small creatures, either birds or mammals. It is certain that they wear gems on their foreheads; such gems come from the brains of dragons. According to myth, dragons have inside their brain a liquid that crystallizes into a solid gem when they die. According to superstition, it is good luck to catch a carbuncle. Originally spelt "Carbunkel".
In heraldry
In heraldry, a carbuncle is a charge or bearing, consisting of eight radii, or spokes; four of which make a common cross, and the other four a salteer.
In popular culture
- Carbuncle is also the name of similar-looking monsters that appear in several different Japanese video games.
- In Puyo Puyo and its related games, Carbuncle is a "baby dragon" with a red gem on his forehead that shoots lasers.
- In the Final Fantasy series of games, Carbuncle is a rabbit-like "summoned" monster with a red gem in its forehead.
- In an episode of Ed, Edd, and Eddy, a show on Cartoon Network, Eddy gets a large pimple that Rolf cures with a head shrinking home remedy he calls Carbuncle of The Flesh Stew, derived from its medieval definition, rather than its mythological one.
- The Blue Carbuncle is a highly valuable blue diamond that is the subject of the Sherlock Holmes short story The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle.
External links
- General Carbuncle by James R Ford (artist) is a sculpture using thousands of toy cars to create a British version of the General Lee from the Dukes of Hazzard TV show.
Charles, Prince of Wales, once described the proposed extension to the National Gallery, London as a "monstrous carbuncle on the face of a much-loved and elegant friend".
"Carbuncle"