ROMANCE OF JADE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20602, 28 June 1930, Page 6 (Supplement)

ROMANCE OF JADE.

/ MEANING OF VARIOUS AMULETS. Jade is hot only one of tho most fascinating stones; it has a history, too. According to Chinese traditions, when the gods made our mortal earth they rained down these pieces to givo it virtue. Worked jado has been found in tombs that are about 3000 years old. Jado is found in different tints of white, green,- yellow, red, brown, grey, blue, lavonder, and black. When different colours are combined in an amulet tho result is an exquisite ornament. The colours are nude use of in the design. An amulet may represent a yellow, frog sitting on green lotus leaves, while the lotus leaves themselves would be white—- | all carved out of a single piece of jade The forms in which they are carved aro symbolic. In China the gift of an amulet in tho shape of a, pomegranato means " may you have many children." The peony is said to bring wealth. Tho prunus blossom, which heralds the coming of spring, is considered a suitable, gift for a woman. The spirit of life is supposed to dwell in the Great Bar,of Constellation, which aften appears 'in amulets. But in tho Southern Cross ljves the .spirit of Death. An amulet which will keep away evil spirits is a disc studded with pellets in relief, ' - f Tho owner of a string of..jado is considored_ very unlucky if he or she breaks it. Originally strings wero composed of 108 beads, tho number of tho Buddhist rosary. Because jado is so hard it cannot, bo cut -with steel. This must bo done with sapphires crushed to a fine powder, and applied to a largo revolving wheel. Any boring is done with a diamond or sapphire point.