Pearl, Steam Bun + Flower
Pearl, Steam Bun + Flower
Freshwater pearl, glass peach coloured steam bun, and freshwater shell flower on 18k gold plated hardware and 18k gold plated huggie hoops.
Charm can be removed from the huggies to interchange with another, or to wear the huggie hoops on their own!
I hope that when you wear these, the pearl will attract good fortune and prosperity, and that the steam buns remind you to eat well and maintain a healthy balanced gut.
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Some symbolism:
In Chinese culture, pearls symbolize wealth, prosperity, wisdom, and good luck. They are believed to have the power to attract good fortune, and their spherical shape is seen as a representation of perfection and completeness. Additionally, pearls are associated with femininity, purity, and innocence. The Chinese word for pearl, “zhēn zhū,” (珍珠) sounds similar to the word for “precious,” and are highly valued for their symbolic meaning.
Steam buns (with filling), or bāozi (包子), have a few legend variations, but this one I think is most unique: In the 3rd century AD, a military strategist named Zhuge Liang and his army had to cross a river that was too strong (after defeating their opponents in battle). According to a barbarian lord, armies would sacrifice 50 men and then toss the heads into the river to please the river gods so that they may cross safely. However, Zhuge Liang wanted to avoid more human bloodshed. So he opted to sacrifice the livestock travelling with the army, and used the meat in buns shaped like human heads to toss into the river. These buns were later named mantou, which translates to “barbarian’s head” (maybe not the best term nowadays, but I guess it was the mid 200s).
Side note: mantou is another, perhaps older word for bāozi (filled buns), but mantou is now often referred to the steam buns without any filling.
Other sources say that steam buns and dumplings (both essentially food contained or wrapped in some kind of dough) were invented in ancient times as a way to feed sick soldiers and civilians to get better from illnesses, plague, hypothermia, etc. by eating this nutritious food that often had herbs and medicinal ingredients mixed in with the filling.
Gold-plated jewelry care:
To prolong the shine and longevity of your gold-plated jewelry, it’s recommended to avoid wearing when swimming (salt or chlorine water), showering, and sweating.
Cleaning your jewelry with a soft lint-free cloth every few months or once a year can help to keep its shine. (Note* Do not use a jewelry polishing cloth - these types of cloths are usually treated with a polishing agent and it can strip the gold plating, however, I highly recommend it if you have tarnishing 925 sterling silver jewelry!)
Warm water and dish soap can also be used to clean your gold-plated jewelry. Avoid anti-bacterial soaps.
Additionally, if you wear the jewelry regularly, your body oils actually help to keep the metal from tarnishing (this goes for sterling silver jewelry as well).
If you wear make up and perfume, try to apply this before putting your jewelry on - have your gold-plated jewelry be the last thing you put on before you leave, and the first thing you take off when you get home. The chemicals in perfumes and colognes can cause a reaction similar to oxidation and can potentially turn the gold plating black!
This information came from a helpful resource I found here !
