Page 78 - Chiense TExtiles, MET MUSEUM Pub 1934

THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART
5· The Sea Shell. The symbol of holy victory, used to
call the faithful to prayer. It is the symbol of the "bless-
edness of turning to the right."
6. The Mystic Diagram. The symbol of the "thread
which guides to happiness." It is probably derived from
the mystic mark on the belly of Vishnu.
7· The Standard. The symbol of the victory of Bud-
dhism over other religions. It is the standard "erected
on the summit of the palace of salvation."
8. The Wheel. The symbol of the Buddhist doctrine
"which leads to perfection."

The Ch'i pao ("Seven Precious Things") (fig. 26),
also called the C h'i chen ("Seven Pearls"); they are the
-symbols of the attributes and dignities of the Universal
Sovereign at once spiritual and temporal and chosen for
the spread of the Buddhist religion.
I. The Precious Wheel, or Metal Disk. The wheel as
in the Pa pao is the symbol of the Buddhist doctrine. In
the form of the disk it is a symbol of the sun and a sign
of the investiture of the monarch as the sovereign Cak-
ravarti chosen for the spread of Buddhism throughout
the universe.
2. The Precious Jewel. The symbol of riches and the
accomplishment of riches.
3· The Precious Woman. The symbol of the jewel
among women and the precious wife.
4· The Precious Minister. The symbol of the best of
ministers.
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