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Jade superstitions
Jade Protects against disease: The Aztecs believed that it had prophylactic effect in gastric pains and in the passing of stones. Bernal Diaz del Castillo, the young soldier-historian who was eyewitness to the 'triumphs' of Cortez, declared that four jades he had obtained healed his wounds! In 1569, less than 50 years after the first jades from the New World could have circulated in Europe, Niccolo Monardes wrote that "the so-called nephritic stone is a species of stone, the finest of which resemble the emerald crystal, and are green with a milky hue...this stone has an occult property by means of which it exercises a wonderful prophylactic effect, preventing the occurence of pains of the loins (kidney and liver) and removing and alleviating such pain" Sir Walter Raleigh observed that the 'Amazones" exchanged large plates of gold for a "kinde of greene stone" which they used against discomforts of the spleen. So the legends multiplied. In one place jade was cited as a cure for "biliousness" and "disordered blood". In another place it was praised for checking hemorrhages; it was even considered potent for reducing edema of the feet! In the Ming dynasty, Chinese pharmacopoeia offered a "divine liquor" of jade that "refrehed the blood, calmed the mind, enriched the spirit, soothed the muscles and nourished the bones." It was said that the 'grains' of jade passed through the intestines, and only the 'virtue' of jade filtered into the body! Another perscription, purported to relieve heartburn, asthma and heavy thirst, was good also for the voice and kept the hair glossy. The apothecary was cautioned to grind only fresh jade: any that had lain in tomb may have 'altered' and so become contaminated. Even today, Chinese believe that jade protects the wearer against accident and disease. When jade 'loses color', it has absorbed disease and made the wearer healthier; conversely, robust health makes jades color 'stronger, richer and greener'. A broken bangle is viewd as an auspicious event; it saved the wearer from a far worse fate! Jade brings good fortune: Vendors of jade, of course, seldom dispute this! To the Chinese it was the quintessence of the creative force, and brought good fortune as well as wealth. To the Mayans, according to one writer, it was "a symbol and a passion." The Eskimos carried talismans of jade when hunting or fishing. The members of a certain Moslem sect carried a flat piece of jade from birth to death. In the South Pacific, in the Loyalty Islands, men were ready to trade their daughters for a strand of jade beads, craving the good fortune they would bring. Chinese who own jade frequently say 'they feel better for it.' New businesses and partnerships are often celebrated with the giving of a piece of jade to ensure the success of the enterprise. In England the story circulated that when the horse Cicero won the Derby, its owner, Lord Rosebery, had his lucky jade amulet in his pocket. On another occasion, Lord Rothschild wore his lucky jade and his horse, St. Amand, also won the Derby. Jade prevents decomposition of the body: As early as the fourth century, the Chinese began to block the nine orifices of the body with specially cut amulets and plugs of jade to prevent decomposition. A cicada was placed on the tongue (as a conductor to the next life) and almond shaped covers over the eyes. There were ear-plugs, phallic covers and nose plugs as well. Taoist philosophers maintained that, under proper conditions, swallowing jade might enable one to live a thousand years! Aztecs fixed a bit of jade onto a dead man's tongue as a replacement for the life stilled within. South Sea Islanders also swallowed finely powdered jade before death in order to prevent subsequent decay of the body. To read more about jade's curious superstitions, see 'Jade', by Louis Zara, Walker & Co., publishers, 1969. Many of these observations were drawn from there. Back to News List |