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