Page 256 - A Dictionary of Chinese Symbols BIG Book

A-Z 249
A picture showing a narcissus (xian), stones and bamboos (zhu) can be
interpreted as ‘The immortals (xian) wish (zhu) (you) long life (bamboos).’ Like the
orchid the narcissus symbolises a married couple.

Navel

ji

The umbilical cord should not be cut. with a knife; it is much better if the mother bites
it off. In Central China, however, it is burned off, sometimes with hot tongs. A nice navel
should look like a bean. If a woman has a large, deep navel, it is a sign of her
strength and beauty. A protruding navel is regarded as ugly and probably indicative
of illness.
In one ancient text, the province of Shandong is described as ‘the navel of the world’.

Needle

zhen

Needlework was taboo at certain times of the year: thus, from New Year’s Day to
the 5th of the 1st month, a needle could not be used in case it should enter the eye of the
Buddha. A woman who does needlework on the 3rd day of a lunar month will soon be a
widow; if she uses her needle on the 9th her parents will die an untimely death, if on the

10th she may give birth to a girl, but never a son. The eye of the needle is female, the
point is male.

Nephrite

yu

The usual translation of the Chinese word yu is ‘jade’. However, many pieces of ‘jade’
are not true jade at all but nephrite. This is particularly the case in Taiwan, where pure
jade is not found at all. Nephrite is less transparent than jade and it is a darker green; like
jade, however, it is polished and used for making jewellery and weapons.