Library

(Compendium of Materia Medica)

【Indications】Field phosphorescence, which is transformed from human blood, appearing and disappearing intermittently, approaching and depriving people of their vital essence. It can be extinguished simply by clashing horse stirrups together to make a sound. Therefore, Zhang Hua said: "When the gold leaf vibrates, the wandering light收敛 (restrains its color)." (Li Shizhen's note).

Category of Jade: Fourteen Types

(Listed as Superior Grade in *Bie Lu*)

【Correction】Merged with "Jade Dust" from *Bie Lu*.

【Names】Xuanzhen (Dark Truth).

Li Shizhen says: According to Xu Shen's *Shuowen Jiezi*: "Jade is a beautiful stone." It possesses five virtues: moist and warm, this is Ren (Benevolence); the texture allows one to know the interior from the exterior, this is Yi (Righteousness); its sound is smooth, resonant, and heard from afar, this is Zhi (Wisdom); it breaks rather than bends, this is Yong (Courage); it has sharp edges but does not injure, this is Jie (Purity). The character resembles the form of three jades connected in a line. Ge Hong in *Baopuzi* states: "Xuanzhen is another name for jade; consuming it makes the body light and able to fly." Thus it is said: "Those who consume Xuanzhen will have an unlimited lifespan."

【Collection & Explanation】 *Bie Lu* states: Yuquan (Jade Spring) and Yuxie (Jade Dust) are produced in the valleys of Lantian, collected at any time.

Tao Hongjing says: High-quality jade comes from Lantian and the Xushanting area of Nanyang, as well as from Rinnan, Luorong waters, and foreign regions such as Khotan and Shule. Those that are white and clean like lard and ring when struck are true jade. There are many similar types that closely resemble it, so careful distinction is necessary. Just as Yan stone was mistaken for jade and Bian He wept bitterly. [A scholar] says: *Yiwuzhi* records that jade comes from the Kunlun Mountains. *Biebaojing* records: For any stone containing jade, if held up to a lamp and red light is seen inside, bright as the rising sun, one knows there is jade within.

Su Song says: Nowadays, jade is no longer heard of being produced in Lantian, Nanyang, or Rinnan; only Khotan produces it. During the Jin dynasty, Ping Juhui, accompanying Zhang Kuanye, the Minister of Ceremonies, on a mission to Khotan, wrote *Xingcheng Ji*, recording the jade mining areas: The Jade River is outside the city of Khotan. Its source originates from Kunshan, flows west for 1,300 li, reaching the Niutou Mountain in Khotan territory, where it splits into three rivers: one called the White Jade River, 30 li east of the city; two, the Green Jade River, 20 li west of the city; three, the Black Jade River, 7 li west of the Green Jade River. Although the source is one, the jade changes according to the terrain, hence the different colors. In May and June, sudden floods cause jade to float down with the current. The quantity of jade depends on the volume of water. In July and August, when the water recedes, collection can begin; locals call this "fishing for jade." There are local prohibitions, yet jade is often used for vessels and consumption. Jade used in various places mostly comes from there. Wang Yi in *Yulun* describes jade colors: red like a rooster's comb, yellow like steamed chestnuts, white like cut fat, black like pure lacquer, termed "Yu Fu"; however, green jade is not mentioned. Today, green-white jade is common, black is occasional, and yellow-red is non-existent. Even the six ritual implements cannot obtain true jade. Currently, Yizhou produces a stone colored like steamed chestnuts, locally called Liyu (Chestnut Jade), said to be a type of yellow jade, but lacking moisture and clear resonance, thus inferior. However, for consumption, only pure white is valued; other colors are rejected.

Kong Zongshi says: Yizhou's Liyu is actually the bright and polished part of yellow stone, not jade. Jade is hard and textured, unharmed by fire blades. This stone can be carved with a small knife, having the same substance as Baishi (White Stone) in Jiazhou but differing in color. Li Shizhen says: According to *Taiping Yulan*: Jiaozhou produces white jade, Fuyu produces red jade, Yilou produces green jade, Daqin produces Caiyu (Vegetable Jade), and Western Shu produces black jade. Lantian produces beautiful jade, blue in color, hence named Lantian. *Huainanzi* states: Jade from Zhong Mountain, when burned with charcoal for three days and nights, retains its color and luster, possessing the essence of heaven and earth. From these accounts, jade-producing places are numerous. Those currently not producing may be due to local harm or prohibition, which is why Khotan jade is considered the most precious. Ancient rituals used Xuan Gui (Black Jade Tablet), Cang Bi (Green Jade Disc), Huang Cong (Yellow Jade Ring), Chi Zhang (Red Jade Blade), Bai Hu (White Jade Tiger), and Xuan Huang (Black Jade Crescent) to symbolize heaven, earth, and the four seasons. *Liji* states: Stones containing jade emit qi like white rainbows, revealing spirit in mountains and rivers. *Bowuzhi* states: Valleys in mountains produce jade. *Shizi* states: Round-turning waters yield pearls, square-turning waters yield jade. *Dijing Tu* states: In February, where mountain grass and trees glow and droop, there is jade; the essence of jade resembles a beautiful woman. *Yushu* states: Jade has Shanxuan patterns and Shuicang patterns; born in mountains, it nourishes trees; produced in water, it fragrances streams; hidden in raw stone, its literary grace is revealed externally. From these views, jade has mountain-produced and water-produced types. Most local jade is found in mountains, while Khotan jade is found in rivers. Stones resembling jade include Jianle, Kun, Wudeng, Cong, and Ying. In the north, there is Guanziyu (Pot Jade), snow-white with air pores, artificially fired with medicine, which must be distinguished, though none possess warmth and moisture. *Baiguan* records Huoyu (Fire Jade) is red and can cook in tripods; Nuanyu (Warm Jade) repels cold; Hanyu (Cold Jade) repels heat; Xiangyu (Fragrant Jade) has scent; Ruanyu (Soft Jade) is soft in texture; Guanriyu (Sun-Viewing Jade) reveals palaces within the sun; these are all rare treasures.

Zong says: Yanyu (Yan Jade) comes from north of Yan, soft and brittle like oil, mixed with pink powder, and is not used medicinally.