In literature, the word "jade" emerges with a rich duality, functioning both as a symbol of precious beauty and as a term charged with irony or even insult. It is often used in a literal sense to depict valuable ornaments or architectural marvels, such as a meticulously carved pendant or majestic walls formed of black and white jade [1, 2, 3]. At the same time, authors employ "jade" as a colloquial epithet for characters whose qualities might be seen as roguish or troublesome, lending a playful, sometimes disparaging tone to their dialogues [4, 5, 6]. Moreover, in many works the term gracefully bridges the material with the spiritual, evoking images of purity and transcendent insight—as illustrated by references to spiritual perception and the exalted status of the Jade Emperor [7, 8, 9]. Thus, its usage encapsulates a spectrum of meanings, from tangible splendor to symbolic commentary on character and fate.
- Round his neck he had a gold dragon necklet with a fringe; also a cord of variegated silk, to which was attached a piece of beautiful jade.
— from Hung Lou Meng, or, the Dream of the Red Chamber, a Chinese Novel, Book I by Xueqin Cao
- The walls of it were constructed of black and white jade.
— from The Travels of Marco Polo — Volume 1 by Marco Polo and da Pisa Rusticiano
- 186-187) says that the finest Jade comes from the high Karákásh (black Jade) River and Yurungkásh (white Jade); the Jade River is called Su-tásh.
— from The Travels of Marco Polo — Volume 1 by Marco Polo and da Pisa Rusticiano
- pícaro rogue, knave; rascally. picarón great rascal; f jade, hussy.
— from Doña Perfecta by Benito Pérez Galdós
- Her dowff excuses pat me mad; “Conscience,” says I, “ye thowless jade!
— from Poems and Songs of Robert Burns by Robert Burns
- Sir, give him head; I know he’ll prove a jade.
— from The Complete Works of William Shakespeare by William Shakespeare
- On the face of the jade was written: Precious Gem of Spiritual Perception.
— from Hung Lou Meng, or, the Dream of the Red Chamber, a Chinese Novel, Book I by Xueqin Cao
- In an unexpected meeting, Hsüeh Pao-ch'ai sees the jade of spiritual perception.
— from Hung Lou Meng, or, the Dream of the Red Chamber, a Chinese Novel, Book I by Xueqin Cao
- ” Yü Huang Yü Huang means ‘the Jade Emperor,’ or ‘the Pure August One,’ jade symbolizing purity.
— from Myths and Legends of China by E. T. C. Werner