Legends of Chinese Jade: Meaning and Confucian Virtue

Jade is a stone with unique physical properties, due to which it has been actively used by people since Neolithic times.

Translated from Greek, the word “nephrite” (νεφρός) means “kidney”. The gem received its name due to the fact that the ancient Greeks attributed to it the ability to cure kidney and liver diseases. The Chinese speak of this nugget as a stone of life: it is believed that it changes fate.

WHAT IS JADE: GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Jade is a semi-precious mineral. Due to its strength and magical properties, for some peoples it was more valuable than gold and precious stones.

The high strength of the mineral and resistance to mechanical stress are explained by its structural features. Jade fibers are microscopic in size and tangled together.

The pigmentation of the mineral depends on the presence of impurities of other substances and can be variegated. Gems with a uniform color are valued higher.

Other names for the gem are “jad” and “Maori”.

Historical reference

Our ancestors learned to process hard semi-precious jade stones many thousands of years ago.

• When excavating Neolithic settlements, archaeologists find ritual objects, figurines of gods, talismans, tools, and weapons made of jade. Arrow and spear tips, knives and axes remain sharp to this day.
• After the invention of steel, the mineral was used for amulets and to decorate the armor of warriors.
• At all times, it was customary to make symbols of power from jade.
• In Ancient Egypt, the gem was used in jewelry and to create household and religious objects.
• In the east, the mineral was considered a symbol of harmony.
• The most famous museums in the world exhibit works by masters of the Indian jade school. Carvers of this school made vases, chess, sculptures of Buddha and other gods.
• Jade plates were used to lay out funeral masks and clothes on the bodies of deceased leaders of the Mayan tribes, Siberian nomadic tribes, and Chinese emperors.

Jade Buddha

The Chinese have a special attitude

The ancient Chinese considered the mineral a sacred stone. In China, to this day they believe in the magical powers of jade and carve figures from it.

Maori figurines meanings:

Chinese stone cutters made musical instruments from the mineral for religious ceremonies:

• In such instruments, jade plates touched each other: this is how magical music arose.
• Different notes were extracted from the records due to their different thicknesses.
• Minerals mined in different places sounded different.

The ringing of Maori stones calms passions , reminding of an important rule - “don’t rush and don’t worry.”

Chinese jade decoration (1900)

One of the miracle creations of Chinese masters is the ancient “Rubik cube”:

• thin white lace balls were placed one inside the other and rotated freely;
• there were 24 spheres in total;
• the device was created specifically for the emperor and his entourage;
• modern stone cutters create similar products, but the secret of making a large number of spheres in one ball has not yet been revealed.

Jade is still credited with strong magical properties. Thus, the black stone in the burial of Tamerlane in Uzbekistan is considered dangerous.

Before the start of the Great Patriotic War, Soviet scientists disturbed the jade tomb of Tamerlane . Esotericists say: this is precisely what became the cause of the world conflict. We recommend: CARNELIK - healer and protector

Mausoleum of Tamerlane Gur-Emir

Physical properties

Due to its high strength, jade is ranked among the first class of semi-precious stones.

Physical properties of jade:

• jade formula: Ca2(Mg,Fe)5[Si4O11]2(OH)2;
• jade density: 2.95-3.5 g/cm3;
• hardness on the Mohs scale: from 6 to 6.5 - compared to steel, jade is 2 times stronger;
• specific heat capacity: 1.10 kJ/kg*C - jade has the highest heat capacity among minerals and is used for heating baths and as heating pads;
• jade transparency: translucent or opaque - you can increase the transparency of the product by reducing the thickness;
• Jade contains impurities of iron, chromium, magnesium, vanadium and other substances, which determine the final color of the mineral.

Different types of jade - roller massagers

There are 3 types of jade based on the number of inclusions:

• homogeneous,
• spotted,
• spotted-interspersed.

Formation and deposits

Mining of the mineral is carried out all over the world, deposits are found on all continents. The largest deposits were found in Russia, Australia, China, New Zealand, and also in the USA.

Jade mine in British Columbia

Jade in Russia is found in the main deposits:

• mines of the East Sayan group;
• Vitim underground storerooms;
• Dzhida group;
• Polar Urals;
• Buryatia.

A rare white stone is mined in Buryatia. Buryat raw jade is often exported to the “Celestial Empire”.

What the unique mineral jade looks like in nature can be seen where volcanic magma poured into the rock. The mineral is also found in placers of rivers and streams.

Nuggets mined in waterways are the most valuable : rolled natural blocks made from raw materials of the highest quality have already undergone long-term natural processing.

Yunnan Province of China, where jade is mined

TYPES AND COLORS OF JADE

Types of jade are divided by color as follows:

Gems without inclusions are used in jewelry.

Nuggets with inclusions and spots are used for making interior items.

The magical properties of jade depend on the color of the stone.

Green jade figurine (New Zealand)

Due to the special reverence for the gem, China created its own classification:

Khotan

“Khotan” is a milky-white gemstone with a “greasy sheen.”

Objects made from such stone could only be used by the Emperor.

Khotan

Xiuyan

The mineral is colored greenish, but is transparent.

Sometimes it is called “azure”.

It is believed that the gem prolongs youth.

Xiuyan box with sapphire

Lantian

The nugget is yellow in color and sometimes has inclusions.

Lantian

Nanyang

The most common type of gem.

Usually colored greenish-yellowish, sometimes with pink streaks.

What to combine Nanyang with

Why is stone popular in China?

Let's figure out why some haven't even heard of the mineral, while others are ready to pay a tidy sum for it. Let's start with the fact that the Chinese are terribly superstitious people, and the stone brings good luck, wealth, and maintains health. Consequently, rich Chinese are willing to spend money on an expensive “toy”. And they sincerely believe that the stone meets all the declared properties.

Interesting fact: it is believed that for the listed properties the stone must meet certain criteria. So, it must be exclusively from Burma, it cannot be refined, and it must have the ideal shape, color and size.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE OF JADE

At first glance, it may seem that only jewelry is made from jade, but this is not so. The range of applications of the mineral is very wide:

• Jewelry;
• interior items, as well as furniture inserts;
• instruments of traditional oriental medicine;
• objects of magical rituals.

There are other areas where the multifaceted and magical stone jade is used and for what purpose.

Facial massage with jade rollers

Healing properties of jade

Among other areas, jade therapy is successfully developing, and the healing properties of the stone are widely known.

We recommend: Application of SNOW QUARTZ

Jade is made from:

• rugs,
• pillows,
• cones,
• sticks,
• applicators,
• pebbles,
• massagers,
• beads

The healing properties of jade

The impact on the human body and organism is multifaceted:

If used ineptly, jade not only brings benefits, but also causes harm to health. The mineral is used carefully, only on the recommendations of a lithotherapist.

Magical properties of jade

Amulets with jade have strong magical properties:

• prolong life;
• develop the mind;
• do not allow you to do stupid things;
• help get rid of past mistakes;
• help to find harmony and soften natural phenomena;
• develop the gift of clairvoyance.

In addition to general properties, a stone of each color has its own magical abilities:

For magical purposes, people use jade jewelry, amulets, amulets, dishes, figurines, and signs of power. The most convenient talisman is a jade ring. Ring with jade and pearls (56 USD)

Who is suitable for jade according to their zodiac sign?

Jade can be worn by all zodiac signs. A person must be prepared for the fact that the strong energy of the stone will change his life.

Astrologers believe that LIBRA is the sign for whom jade is most suitable according to the Horoscope. Representatives of the Constellation can choose any color, but it is better if it is white: then the stone will give health and longevity.

We recommend: BLACK ONYX stone

“Magic” properties of the mineral for other zodiac signs:

Red jade bracelet

Magic properties

There are magical characteristics that any jade exhibits, regardless of shade. They have also been studied in detail by Chinese, Indian and Tibetan sages. First of all, a gem is able to prolong the life of a person who has achieved harmony with it. Legendary magicians of the past tried to obtain the elixir of immortality with its help. They did not succeed to the end, but they lived for more than a century, and could boast of excellent health and physical strength.

Jade also improves the mental abilities of the wearer. Thanks to its energy, the owner begins to think more clearly, coherently and clearly. He will also learn to think outside the box and begin to use his time and energy more rationally.

For women, jade is the key to choosing the right life partner. The crystal will help you find a worthy man, and not fall for a womanizer or a tyrant. It is also useful for those who are trying to start life with a clean slate, forgetting about the mistakes of the past.

The aura of the mineral protects against black magic and evil spirits.

Esotericists around the world have valued the mineral since ancient times. People who practice magic note that the crystal helps them tune in to the ritual and protect themselves from the possible influences of evil spirits. For such spellcasters, the stone becomes a powerful amulet and a source of magical power. There is a belief that with its help you can command the spirits of the elements. This helps prevent earthquakes, hurricanes, floods and fires.

HOW TO CHOOSE JADE + CARE FOR IT

When purchasing a mineral, you should be careful not to choose a pressed stone or a plastic fake.

How to spot a fake

Pressed stones are considered natural and can preserve the beauty of a solid stone. The class of such products is lower, and they can carry negative energy. Plastic is completely useless.

The difference between jade and plastic:

• natural jade cannot be scratched with a needle, but marks will remain on the fake;
• a real gem is initially colder than plastic, but if you apply it to the body, it heats up quickly and retains heat for a long time;
• if beads from a real nugget are hit against each other, a melodious ringing will be heard.

The difference between solid jade and pressed jade:

• in a solid stone, the interlacing of fibers and layering are visible in the light,
• the structure of a pressed gem is more chaotic;
• Pressed stone is inferior in strength to solid stone.

Price gradations

The cost of a stone depends on its color, structure and quality.

The stone itself is not precious, so it is inexpensive.

The price is greatly increased by rare specimens of gems and settings made of precious metals.

Black and green minerals are the most expensive.

Jade monkeys

Mineral cost

The cost of one piece of jewelry is hundreds of thousands of dollars. But that's not all. In 2014, a bracelet made from this mineral was sold for 5 million 150 thousand dollars.

It is believed that such decoration will protect the health of the owner, increase his wealth, bring good luck, and prevent illness. And five million dollars is not a record. In 2014, another piece of jewelry was sold for $27 million. Impressive, isn't it?

At the next auction, which will take place at the end of 2022, the price of the cheapest lot with a stone starts at $3 million.