Carbuncle

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[edit] 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" (begin to open to the surface), along with administration of antibiotics.

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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".

[edit] 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 saltire.

[edit] 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.
  • 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".
  • 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".
  • In the Vampire Hunter D novels by Hideyuki Kikuchi, D has a "countenanced carbuncle" in his left palm, a sort of symbiotic lifeform that acts as his companion, advisor, and comic relief. It is sometimes referred to as Left Hand.
  • In Yu-gi-oh! GX, Ruby Carbuncle is a duel monster played by Johan Anderson, one of the seven jewel beasts, and has the ability to call forth the other jewel beasts from their gems when it is in gem form on the field. Also, Ruby Carbuncle appears outside of the card game as a card spirit, much like Winged Kuriboh. Johan affectionately refers to the Carbuncle as Ruby.(It is a small purple cat-like creature with a red ruby on its forehead.)
  • In the popular Pokemon video games, Espeon, the Psychic type "DayTime/Friendship" evolution of Eevee, is clearly based on the image of the Carbuncle.
  • A monster of this name also appears in the Japanese trading card video game "Culdcept."
  • The famous Japanese swordsman Miyamoto Mushashi was said to have had a large carbuncle that kept him from shaving his head and was partly responsible for his non-traditional appearance.

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