Jade

A term covering minerals of varied color and chemical composition, credited with occult properties. Jade may be jadeite, nephrite, or chloromelanite, with a range of colors—black, brown, red, lavender, blue, green, yellow, or white. The mineral is found mainly in New Zealand, Mexico, Central America, and China. In prehistoric times jade was used for utensils and weapons, but in Mexico, Egypt, and China it was employed in burial rites. In China, Burma, and India, jade is used for amulets.

Jade is chiefly associated with China, where it has been carved into ornaments for thousands of years. The blue variety of jade was traditionally associated with the heavens, and Chinese emperors were said to have made contact with heaven through a disk of white jade. There was a Chinese superstition that rubbing a piece of jade in the hand would bring good fortune to any decision or business venture. The Chinese word for jade is yü, indicating beauty, nobility, and purity. Because of its yang (masculine, hot, active) qualities, jade is believed to prolong life. It is taken medicinally in water or wine, and is believed to protect against heat and cold, hunger and thirst. Powdered jade is taken to strengthen the heart, lungs, and voice. It is also considered an indicator of health and fortune, becoming dull and lusterless when its owner experiences ill health or misfortune.

In Burma, Tibet, and India, jade is considered a cure for heart trouble and a means of deflecting lightning. It has the property of bringing rain, mist, or snow when thrown into water. In Scotland it has been used as a touchstone to cure illness. The carving of jade into beautiful ornaments reached its peak in China, where even a small carving involved skilled and patient work over several months. There is still a large jade market in Hong Kong.

Sources:

Laufer, Berthold, Jade: A Study in Chinese Archeology and Religion. 2nd edition. South Pasadena, Calif.: Perkin, 1946.