Staff with a phoenix finial

Jades for Adornment

There are two types of Chinese jade ornaments: those worn on the body (earrings, necklaces, and bracelets) and those interred with the dead (bi discs, certain types of earrings, and pendants). The qualities associated with jade have been systematized, and the ways of using jade ornaments have been codified. Far beyond mere decoration, jade ornaments also functioned as symbols for distinguishing social classes; as Confucius stated: “Without any special reasons a gentleman should not untie his jade from his body.” The wearing of jade ornaments was among the marks of a true gentleman, supposedly signifying his high morality.