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3 types of jade discs

Posted By: Bill
Posted Date: Sep 16, 2008 (03:02 PM)

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There are three types of jade discs, accoridng to the ancient Chinese dictionary, Er Ya:

�If the outside (edge) diameter of the disc is much bigger than its inside (hole) diamerter, it is called bi; if its inside (hole) diameter is much bigger than its outside diameter, it is called yuan; if its outside diameter is equal to its inside diameter it is called huan.�

Therefore:

(1) Jade Bi (jade disc) � the diameter of its hole is about 1/3 of its outside diameter.
(2) Jade Yuan (jade bracelet) � the diameter of its hole is about 2/3 of its outside diameter.
(3) Jade Yuan (jade ring) � the diameter of its hole is about half of its outside diameter.

However, most of the jade discs found were not necessarily made to these specifications.

I like the material and carving of Jame�s jade yuan posted here.

Bill

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Correction - Bill - Sep 17, 2008 (10:50 AM)