October 27, Pearl Jade

Pearl Jade, (xuán jī), XIII - 21

     Pearls are tiny precious stones that are found in the vast ocean of life. Xuán Jī is the jade within the pearl. Xuán is drawn as three pieces of jade strung together and the foot being set into motion. Jī is drawn as three pieces of jade strung together and the smallest subtle thing meaning in a pearl. The Chinese say that the pearl within must be polished with faith, humility and moderation and out of that polishing will come the radiance and beauty of the polished pearl.


Explanation of Point Name:  The combination xuan ji names an ancient astronomical instrument that turns on a pivot, much as the head turns on the neck. Thus the point is named after its location at the bottom of the neck.
     The first four stars of the big dipper form the bowl of the dipper and the last three form the handle. The second and third stars are called xuan and ji respectively. The dip at the top of the sternum resembles the bowl of the dipper. CV-21 is located in the area that corresponds to the bottom of the dipper formed by y the stars. To picture this, simply imagine the collar bone as the handle of the dipper and CV-21 as the bottom of the bowl.
     Xuan ji is also the name of a particular palindrome that was embroidered on satin in the 4th century A.D. It was done by a woman for her husband (who had been banished to Tartary), and it consisted of 840 characters, which could be read the same backwards as forwards.

Yes there is Nirvana; it is in leading your sheep to green pastures and in putting your child to sleep. To write the last line of your poem.
- Khalil Gibran