This jade pendant is absolutely gorgeous.  It is naturally two colors - green and a rust color.  The artist who carved it has used the two colors to emphasize the carving.  The pendant is 2” by 1”.  On one side is carved a fish, a lotus and the Chinese character for long life.  On the back is a carved bat.  The carving is done in great detail.  Either side can be worn forward.  I have beaded it with 13 mm natural green jade to match the pendant with small andalucite beads in between the jade beads.  The necklace s 19” around and is finished with a 18k gold vermeil clasp. 

The fish is symbolic of abundance, prosperity, wealth and persistence.  It is also believed to represent an advantage in business. 

The sacred lotus, also known as the sea rose, is a symbol of purity, fruitfulness and creativity.   The lotus, an aquatic plant, grows in ponds or rivers, the roots planted in the bottom soil and the leaves float on the water.  The blossoms rise above the leaves and are very showy.   The lotus is often shown together with fish where it symbolizes prosperity year after year.  It also symbolizes sexual harmony, the lotus representing the female and the fish representing the male. The sacred lotus is one of the eight treasures of BUDDHISM.

The bat is symbolic of happiness, good fortune, prosperity and longevity. When something is portrayed upside down it means it has arrived, so the common portrayal of an upside-down bat is symbolic of good fortune that has arrived.  It is one of the best symbols of good luck.

Chinese royalty has worn jade for centuries. It has been used since the Neolithic times for tools, weaponry, amulets, vases and figurines because of its hardness.  It is believed to be a spiritual stone and has been called the jewel of heaven.  It represents the five principal virtues:  charity, modesty, courage, justice and wisdom.  From cloudy white to golden brown, light to dark green, to rare lavender, jade is the most highly prized Asian gemstone.  Jade has been regarded as the most precious stone for thousands of years.  It is believed to protect the wearer and ensure good luck and good health as well as to increase life span.