Identifying the Jade Gourd
You may have seen the jade gourd carving before, having not realized what it actually was. Often, the gourd has almost a "snowman" shape like this:
Lavender jadeite jade gourd or "hulu" carving set in 18K white gold
However, sometimes the gourd shape is not so specific. Often, jade gourd carvings can look just as unique as gourds in nature, like this one:
Yellow and green jadeite jade gourd carving in 18K yellow gold
In Williams' book Chinese Symbolism and Art Motifs, the author refers to the gourd also as the "gourd-bottle" or the "bottle-gourd." In the West, that might sound confusing, but in truth gourds are durable enough when dried to be used as bottles, flasks, and containers. Like a purse, the gourd can be tied to one's back to carry items over a long distance.
After harvesting, gourds for bottles are hung to dry for weeks or months until the inner pulp has dried and can be shaken out. From there, it can be used for a number of practical or decorative purposes, as it has been for thousands of years.
Jade Gourd Symbolism
The gourd is also called 葫芦 (pronounced hulu.) The word for hulu sounds like fú lù (福禄) which means "blessing and prosperity." Because of this, the gourd is a popular symbol for prosperity.
Additionally, the gourd represents mystery and is a symbol of Li Tieguai, one of the Eight Immortals of Taoism, who holds it while smoke spirals out of it. In Taoism, gourds may also be used to contain magical elixirs associated with healing.
Because of this, the gourd is a symbol of magic, mystery, healing, and prosperity.
Jade gourds are often given as good luck charms and represent a long history of practical use in Chinese culture.
Green jade gourd carving in 18K yellow gold
The Gourd in Romance of the Three Kingdoms
In Romance of the Three Kingdoms, the Daoist immortal Zuo Ci appears before the warlord Cao Cao, carrying a small jade gourd at his waist. Cao Cao mocks the idea that such a tiny vessel could hold anything useful until Zuo Ci opens it and begins pouring wine. Cup after cup flows out, enough to fill the hall, yet the gourd never empties.
When pressed for his secret, Zuo Ci smiles and says,
“This gourd holds the harmony of Heaven and Earth. When one’s heart is still, all things flow within it.”
Enraged, Cao Cao orders his arrest, but Zuo Ci simply steps into the gourd and disappears, leaving behind only the faint scent of pine and a whisper of laughter.
