J is also for...

... Jade. Since I was so incredibly late for the last post, I thought that I could offer one more for this letter.

Jade has held a special attraction for mankind for thousands of years and is especially significant in China. Jade comes in many fine nuances of green, but also in shades of white, grey, black, yellow, and orange and in delicate violet tones. In prehistoric times, however, it was valued for its strength, which made it an ideal material for weapons and tools. Yet as early as 3000 B.C. jade was known in China as 'yu', the 'royal gem'.

In the long history of the art and culture of the enormous Chinese empire, jade has always had a very special significance. Today, too, this gem is regarded as a symbol of the good, the beautiful and the precious. It embodies the Confucian virtues of wisdom, justice, compassion, modesty and courage, yet it also symbolises the female-erotic.

'Jade', or yu, as it is called in China, is strictly speaking a generic term for two different gems, nephrite and jadeite. The name is derived from the Spanish 'piedra de ijada', loin-stone, jade having been recognised by the Amerindians as a remedy for kidney ailments. Because of its beneficial effect on the kidneys, the stone was also known as 'lapis nephriticus'. That, indeed, is where the term 'nephrite' came from.

Here in China, one can see jade on almost everywhere; at New Year's people bring out their best jade jewelery and wear them= the big bangles the large pendants and the earrings. The jewelry shops have lots of different colors and carved shapes. I have a few pieces that I bought (sadly at TJMaxx in Phoenix and one in Chinatown in Vancouver). I would love to acquire more, but need an expert to shop with me.