Page 224 - A Dictionary of Chinese Symbols BIG Book
P. 224
A-Z 217
Princess Zhao-jun with her mandoline wrapped up
Mandrake
ya-bu-lu
Some time before the 13th century at the latest, the Chinese were introduced to the
mandrake by Muslims in Central or Western Asia. The Chinese name ya-bu-lu is derived
from the Arabic yabruh.
The traditional method of using the mandrake is as follows. A shaft is dug into
the earth until the root of the plant is reached, and dogs are then used to bring it to the
surface. The dogs are poisoned by the aroma of the plant and die. It should then
be concealed in the ground for a year, after which it is taken out and dried. A very
small dose will rob a man of all feeling for three days, during which time he will seem to
be dead.
