Illustration of ancient tear bottles. These bottles were used by mourners in ancient Persia to collect their tears by means of wiping their tears with cotton-wool and squeezing their tears into the bottle. Mourner\`s tears are preserved and was considered as an efficacious remedy for reviving a dying man after every other means has failed and as a charm to ward off evil spirits.
Mourning Customs in Ancient Persian Daily Life
Ancient Images
Bible History Online