The jade pecking order

This two minute video is very funny, but only if you love jade. It is set in a sauna. Every man in the sauna represents white jade from different areas. It starts with four men representing what are considered the lower quality white jades, Qinghai and Korean, for example. In struts the better quality Russian jade. The others make room for him and hide their faces and acknowledge his superiority. Russian jade sits there, proud as a peacock until white jade from Qiemo in the Kunlun Mountains enters. The lesser jades such as Qinghai and Korea flee from the sauna and Russian jade nervously makes room for him.  Now its Qiemo jade who sits proud as a peacock. Until Seed Jade, representing cobbles from Hotan, enters. Now Russian jade and Qiemo Jade bow their heads and acknowledge he is king…..until the emperor arrives, White Jade with a Red rind. Then the other jades turn their faces to the wall to hide their shame at being so inferior. It's very funny if you love jade. My only quibble with it is placing jade from Qiemo above Russian jade in the hierarchy. Russian jade is generally better.

And if you love jade you might be interested in A Jade Treasury, a book which brings together the myths and legends surrounding the Stone of Heaven from around the world. To ancient cultures all over the world it was sacred. In China, Confucius raved about it; wars were fought over it and cities were offered in exchange for a piece of it. The ancient Olmecs of Central America treasured it far more than gold. Maori were so fond of it they killed and ate ten British sailors who tried to steal some of it. You can BUY IT HERE or click on the cover image to purchase it.