The term we are analyzing has two different meanings, since it is a device used for metal smelting and, on the other hand, it is a concept that refers to cultural fusion. As for its etymological origin, it comes from a word in vulgar Latin, "Cruceroolum", which was a container that was shaped like a cross and was used to melt different materials in a furnace at a high temperature.
In metal casting
A crucible is a bowl usually made of porcelain, graphite, or clay. and which is used in the smelting process of some metals, in the jewelry sector and also in some laboratories to heat or melt substances. These types of materials are used because they resist high temperatures. It should be noted that some furnaces in which metals are heated incorporate a cavity to receive the molten metal and such furnaces are known as a crucible furnace.
In the metallurgy sector there are so-called refined metals, which are all those that acquire greater purity after being purified in the crucible bowl. For this reason, acrisolar is also used in a figurative sense to highlight a moral quality that is accredited from some testimony or evidence.
Culture crucible
In some territories, people make up a homogeneous social group, since they are of the same race, speak the same language and share common beliefs. However, in other territories there is a mixture of trends, values and languages.
When this happens, there is talk of a cultural fusion. This phenomenon is quite common in some large cities in the world, such as London, Buenos Aires, Barcelona, Paris or New York. All of them make up a melting pot because there is no homogeneous group in them, but society is very plural in all senses (fashion, gastronomy, popular festivals, artistic trends ...).
The label "melting pot" is synonymous with freedom and diversity. Sometimes other similar terms are used, such as "melting pot of languages" or "melting pot of races".
The city of Buenos Aires
The capital of Argentina is a clear example of a cultural melting pot. Beginning with the migratory movements of the 19th century, Buenos Aires received Italian, Spanish, Syrian, Lebanese, Jewish, German or interior populations. This phenomenon resulted in a cultural miscegenation full of nuances.
Photos: Fotolia - Arsel - JeraRS
