Full of Jade

What is jade?

'Jade', or yu, as it is called in China, is strictly speaking a generic term for two different gems, nephrite and jadeite. The name is derived from the Spanish 'piedra de ijada', loin-stone, jade having been recognised by the Amerindians as a remedy for kidney ailments. Because of its beneficial effect on the kidneys, the stone was also known as 'lapis nephriticus'. That, indeed, is where the term 'nephrite' came from.

The Myth of Jade

Jade – a gemstone of unique symbolic energy, and unique in the myths that surround it. With its beauty and wide-ranging expressiveness, jade has held a special attraction for mankind for thousands of years.

  Source: ICA Gem Bureau Idar-Oberstein Myrrh (pronounced as mur)

Myrrh was one of the gifts of the Magi or wise men (Mt 2:11). Legend says Caspar brought the gift of myrrh from Europe or Tarsus and placed it before the Christ Child. Because of myrrh's various medicinal uses this gift represents Christ's human nature, the Suffering Savior, the Great Physician, and the Passion.

Myrrh is an aromatic gum resin which oozes from gashes cut in the bark of a small desert tree known as Commifera Myrrha or the dindin tree. (The gashes are reminders of the wounds Christ received while being flogged by the Roman soldiers.) The myrrh hardens into tear-dropped shaped chunks and is then powdered or made into ointments or perfumes. This tree is 5-15 feet tall and 1 foot in diameter. Myrrh was an extremely valuable commodity during biblical times and was imported from India and Arabia. The Ishmaelite caravan which carried Joseph to slavery in Egypt also bore myrrh (Gen 37:25). When Israel sent his sons into Egypt for food he told them to take along some myrrh as a gift for the man in charge (Gen 43:11).

  Source: Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary

To The One Who Must Not Be Named

   You know who you are. I know you are viewing my site. Sorry, most of my photos are private. So go away, psycho! Go far away and never return!       

Previous blog entries:
Dec 27	-	Season's Greetings
Dec 11	-	Greetings!!!