Waching daily Jan 4 2018

In the last episode, we looked at special jadeite pendant carvings

Now, I have another special jadeite piece

This is an arrow tube

Let us look at its carvings and significance

(Arrow tube)

Qing Dynasty officials used to wear hats that were part of their uniform

At the top of the hat is a bead

Different colors and materials were used to identify ranks

The highest ranking officials used rubies

The second ranking officials used coral

The third highest ranking officials used blue sapphire, etc.

Below the bead is a 2 inch arrow tube

made with nephrite or jadeite

The purpose of an arrow tube is to secure a peacock's feather

Natural peacock feathers were used

At the end of the peacock feather is shaped like an eye

More "eyes" mean that a government official has a higher rank

Here is a jadeite arrow tube

Upon closer examination, there are carvings of clouds

Cloud carvings were popular during the Qing Dynasty

Here are carvings of 2 magpies

Magpies are symbols of promotion and luck in the royal courts

At the bottom of this arrow tube is a carving of a phoenix

In Chinese culture, the phoenix is the king of birds

Phoenix and dragons were equally significant in Chinese culture

The phoenix consists of a chicken head, sparrow's chin,

snake's neck, turtle's back, fish tail,

and a rainbow tail

A phoenix is roughly 6 feet tall

In Chinese culture, the phoenix is the bird of good fortune,

peace and prosperity

People believe that the phoenix will come during prosperous times

The phoenix also represents the emperor

and is used along with dragons

and is the favorite among empresses and consorts.

People with power and status used arrow tubes

We often wonder if TV shows depict accurate historical events

But this arrow tube that I am holding is in fact a historical artifact