Jade is now 7 weeks old. My husband and I chose her name years ago, long before I began creating jewelry.
Jade is a popular Chinese name (yù). In China's long history of art and culture, the gemstone has special significance. The Chinese believe that the energy from a piece of jade worn and the energy of one's body flow between each other and that jade protects the person who wears it.
Hence often Chinese parents give their children jade to remind them of their love and protection.
It is considered lucky to receive a gift of jade and equally lucky to give a gift of jade.
Jade is a popular Chinese name (yù). In China's long history of art and culture, the gemstone has special significance. The Chinese believe that the energy from a piece of jade worn and the energy of one's body flow between each other and that jade protects the person who wears it.
Hence often Chinese parents give their children jade to remind them of their love and protection.
It is considered lucky to receive a gift of jade and equally lucky to give a gift of jade.
When Jade's paternal grandmother Suzanne came to help us with our newborn daughter, she brought Jade this heart-shaped jade pendant with a carving of a bat, the auspicious Chinese symbol for prosperity.
Jade's first piece of jade!
Jade's first piece of jade!
Below are pieces from the collection belonging to Jade's A-ma, my mother. Although I know the history of only one of them, I am sure they were all gifts given to Mom.
Below are pieces I acquired while I was living in Taiwan.
The first pendant is in the disk form known as bi in Chinese. It represents the heavens, and in ancient times they were buried with the dead. They were used in religious ceremonies and worn to demonstrate rank in society. In the center of this pendant is the Chinese character for longevity shòu.
I particularly love the second pendant, carved into 2 monkeys cradling between them a peach, the symbol of immortality or the wish for a long and healthy life.
The third pendant is a "chop", or seal, used instead of signatures in China and Taiwan. On the top of this pendant is a guardian lion, symbol of protection but also of power. My name is not engraved on the seal since I only wore it as a pendant.
The first pendant is in the disk form known as bi in Chinese. It represents the heavens, and in ancient times they were buried with the dead. They were used in religious ceremonies and worn to demonstrate rank in society. In the center of this pendant is the Chinese character for longevity shòu.
I particularly love the second pendant, carved into 2 monkeys cradling between them a peach, the symbol of immortality or the wish for a long and healthy life.
The third pendant is a "chop", or seal, used instead of signatures in China and Taiwan. On the top of this pendant is a guardian lion, symbol of protection but also of power. My name is not engraved on the seal since I only wore it as a pendant.
Jade is commonly known to be a green gemstone but can be found in many other colors, while a green jade stone can be of various types of green and may also contain white, pink, red, black, brown, and violet. Its color may be dense or transparent. I love that quality of jade.
Now that I have a daughter named Jade, I have inspiration to work with her namesake's gemstone!
Now that I have a daughter named Jade, I have inspiration to work with her namesake's gemstone!