Buddhist Jade Art Carvings

Buddhist symbols and themes appear in jade carvings since the Tang Dynasty. A wealth of Buddhist influenced themes is also found in jade carvings of the Sung Dynasty. The most common figure in jade carvings is the Goddess Guan Yin, apparently identical to the Boddhisattva Avalokitesvara who is usually represented as a flying woman with flowing hair and surrounded by lotus flowers. Boddhisattvas as Buddhist saints are represented with ascetic figures, the most common being Boddhisattva Samanthabhadra represented as a bearded ascetic man seated in a grotto. Boddhisattva Samanthabhadra is also represented as a beautiful woman riding an elephant. Very frequently, Boddhisattva Avalokiteshvara appears as a beautiful woman riding a lion.

Buddhist influenced decorations in jade are the eight precious things and the seven gems. The most common ornaments among jade carvings are the eight emblems of the Taoist immortals and also the eight happy omens. Swastika as well as the four accomplishments Chin, Chi, Hua and Shu are also frequently represented in jade carvings.



Whitish-celadon jade carving in the shape of Shou Lao seated and holding a peach in his right hand. The left hand holds mala (Buddhist rosaries) and is resting on his left knee. Another symbol of immortality is the crane on his left side. Date to the Ming Dynasty. Size: 6" x 5" (15.2 x 12.2 cm)

Green jade pendant featuring a Buddhist deity on the obverse. A peach, bats and dragons are carved on the reverse in low-relief. Size: 2.2" x 1.8" (5.4 x 4.1 cm)


Jadeite pendant carved in white jade representing Guan Yin with a boy holding a gaint peach and standing on her right side. The reverse is decorated with lotus. Size: 2.8" x 1.7" (7.1 x 4.5 cm)

Purple-blue jade carving in the shape of a Buddhist deity. A dragon's figure is on the bottom. The reverse is adorned with ling zhi flowers and other decorations. It has a flat bottom for easy standing. Size: 5" x 4.25" (12.5 x 11 cm)