This nineteenth-century Qing Dynasty (1644-1912) embroidery is a detail of the pearl of wisdom, also known as the pearl of the dragon. This detail is similar to larger images that adorned royal robes, featuring a dragon.

A pearl has a mystical association with dragons in the traditions of China, Korea, India and Japan. There are different legends. Some associate a fiery pearl with the sun. When there are jagged red lines with the pearl, the lines may represent thunder, and the dragons, clouds. A blue pearl is associated with a full moon. When there is a comma like attachment underneath the pearl, the interpretation is yang and yin, male and female.

The image of a pair of dragons chasing a pearl can be considered decorative. This interpretation is that they are playing with the pearl, as one traditional design pattern for carving jade is “A dragon frolicking with a pearl.”

However, the enduring popularity of the dragons and pearl also has a deeper appeal, based on early Taoism and Buddhism. The flaming pearl is a symbol of good luck, prosperity, and wisdom. In Buddhism, a pearl is considered the jewel of the lotus, standing for a spiritual wealth based on the virtues of wisdom and compassion. This interprets the dragons, by legend supernaturally wise, chasing the pearl as the search for truth.

Pearl of Wisdom video: https://vimeo.com/506232110