Very good question. Just taking the Bible, I find pearls mentioned several
times. Some being symbolic but some being literal(pearl oyster) Then there is
coral. Both of these are of great value. Traditions handed down brings in a
hole new can of worms.
Like the symbols Bobbie brought out with the Apostle's-Paul's was a pecten.
And then you said sacred literature. This means many things to many people.
Don't want to go there. I look forward to reading more that people find.
Jr