When looking at this delicate and warm jade accessory, how would you match it with your own outfit?! The two outer rings are composed of four intertwined dragons. Can you tell where their heads and tails are? If you take a close look at the dragons’ expressions, doesn’t it look like they are sticking out their tongues?

This type of jade dragon ornament is called long. Because it had been buried for many centuries, some discoloration has occurred, giving it an uneven brownish yellow color. This particular form was very uncommon at the time. The artisan first removed the inside of the jade, leaving only the outer circle. They then finely carved this dragon-themed jade accessory. Dragons, a symbol of respect, have always been a popular motif within Chinese jade culture, ever since people dreamt up this animal long ago.

This delicate long, dating from about 2,500 years ago, was unearthed at the Liuligejia tomb in Huixian in Henan Province. Currently, scholars speculate that since the burial objects were all carefully chosen works of outstanding quality, the person buried was probably a vassal of the state of Jin in the late Spring and Autumn period. The long originally formed a pair when it was unearthed, but the other piece has been damaged. This pair of long was likely part of a jade bracelet. Just imagine how elegant and dignified you would look wearing the whole bracelet~