A WHITE JADE 'DOUBLE-DRAGON' RING
QING DYNASTY (1644-1911)

D 2.8 cm (1 1/8 in)

There is a Chinese myth that two dragons were practicing near a pond in mountains and saved the bathing fairies from monster attack. The Queen Mother sent a golden pearl to the dragons in thanking them. As one pearl cannot be divided among two, they were giving the pearl to each other and formed the scene shuanglong xizhu(double-dragon playing pearl). The Jade Emperor was impressed by the generosity of the dragons therefore gifted them another golden pearl. At the end, each dragon swallowed a golden pearl and became a deity. ‘Double-dragon playing pearl’ is used to symbolize peace and prosperity.