The Jade Peony

The jade peony is Poh-Poh’s beloved talisman and treasure. It was given to her by a traveling circus performer who lodged on the farm at which she was indentured. This circus performer, an albino, fell in love with Poh-Poh and fashioned her a beautiful windchime as a parting gift. Dangling from the middle of this windchime was the jade peony pendant—a beautiful jewel made out of pink, veined jade with a carved peony in its center. Poh-Poh keeps this pendant all of her life, and it becomes a recurring motif in the text. In many ways, the jade peony pendant represents Poh-Poh’s heart. Originating in her early life, the pendant thus bears the weight of history, and of her long and complex life. Too, the scenes in which the pendant appears involve Poh-Poh’s relationship with her grandchildren, and Sekky in particular. When she holds the pendant up to the light, it’s as if she’s holding her heart up to be acknowledged, respected, and admired. When she passes away, the pendant passes to Sekky, her most beloved grandchild.