Ancient Jewellery Legends #003

Long before jade became the treasured gemstone we know today, it held a power that could change the fate of gods themselves. And no legend captures this mystical connection better than the heartbreaking tale of Chang'e, the Moon Goddess whose sacrifice echoes through every piece of jade jewellery ever worn.

Chang'e's story begins not with her, but with her husband Hou Yi – the legendary archer whose skill was unmatched across all of China. When ten suns threatened to scorch the earth, it was Hou Yi who shot down nine of them, saving humanity from destruction. But this heroic act came with a terrible price: the Jade Emperor, mourning his nine fallen sons, banished both Hou Yi and Chang'e to live as mere mortals.

Desperate to spend eternity with his beloved wife, Hou Yi embarked on an impossible quest to find the elixir of immortality. After countless trials, he finally obtained the precious potion – but there was only enough for one person.

The elixir sat in their home, a constant reminder of an impossible choice. Should Hou Yi drink it and leave Chang'e to age and die alone? Should Chang'e take it and abandon her husband to mortality? For a time, they chose neither – content to grow old together rather than live apart forever.

But fate had other plans. When danger threatened and evil forces sought to steal the elixir, Chang'e made the ultimate sacrifice. Rather than let such power fall into wicked hands, she drank the entire potion herself.

As the elixir coursed through her veins, Chang'e felt herself becoming lighter than air. She floated upward, past the clouds, past the stars, until she reached the moon itself. There, in her silver palace, she became the Moon Goddess – forever separated from the husband she loved more than immortality itself.

But Chang'e was not entirely alone. The Jade Rabbit, touched by her sacrifice and recognising the purity of her heart, joined her on the moon. For all eternity, this faithful companion would craft new elixirs of immortality, ensuring that Chang'e's sacrifice would never be forgotten.

From that moment forward, jade became more than just a beautiful stone – it became the embodiment of Chang'e's spirit. The shimmering green depths of jade reflect her purity, her sacrifice, and her undying hope that love can transcend even the greatest distances.

For centuries, Chinese artisans have carved jade into pendants, bangles, and talismans, each piece carrying the essence of Chang'e's story. To wear jade is to carry her protection – the courage to make difficult choices, the strength to sacrifice for what's right, and the hope that love endures beyond all earthly bounds.

Every piece of jade jewellery tells Chang'e's story anew. The cool touch of jade against your skin is said to bring her blessings: protection from harm, courage in the face of impossible choices, and the promise that true love never truly dies.

When you hold a piece of jade, you're not just holding a gemstone – you're holding the crystallised spirit of a goddess who chose sacrifice over selfishness, love over personal gain, and hope over despair.

Today, when the moon is full and bright, Chinese tradition says you can still see Chang'e in her lunar palace, accompanied by the faithful Jade Rabbit. And every piece of jade jewellery worn in her honour carries forward her legacy – reminding us that sometimes the greatest acts of love require the greatest sacrifices.

The next time you hold a piece of jade, remember Chang'e's story. You're not just holding a beautiful stone – you're holding the spirit of a goddess who sacrificed everything for what was right, and whose love story continues to inspire us across thousands of years.