Bamboo is part of many superstitions and beliefs. If a dream contains a large bamboo forest or quickly sprouting bamboo shoot, this brings good luck. On the other hand, however, it may also portend an unfortunate event striking a household, for if, in the dream, you are lost in the bamboo forest, pursued by the sound of bamboo in the wind, this actually means bad luck is coming. In Shamanism, bamboo is used to call the gods. Shamans call the gods down from the mountain before performing an exorcism. To do this, they take a bamboo culm and an already prepared stick or branch wrapped in feathers, or straw or such. The person holding the bamboo can either be the shaman, or a designated villager. If the bamboo shakes it means the gods are on their way. There is a legend attached to this ceremony. A woman named Dang-geum Ae-gi fell in love with a monk and bore three brothers. They grow up and asked their mother who their father was. She made a poor excuse that they had been born when she urinated in the bamboo forest.The brothers believed this and went to look for their father. The bamboo told them that even though it was not their father, it could become so if the brothers could arrange for the bamboo to be used as the pole for the shaman chief in funerals. So this is how the bamboo came to be used it as the cane for the chief. In Confucianism funeral rites it symbolizes the state of the chief, who is too tired mentally and physically and so he has to lean on the cane. Especially, a bamboo cane is used for someone who has lost their father, as the circular bamboo means father like the sky. In the late Go-ryeo Dynasty, the stone bridge where Jeong Mong-ju died is called Seon-juk Bridge, and there is a saying: the mind is straight like bamboo. It reminds us that bamboo is recognized as a symbol of honesty and non-compromise. A perfect addition to a collection or for a gift for that special someone. ? Maker: unknown ? Material: jade gold plate ? Size : 7 1/2" long ? Weight: medium ? Condition: In good vintage pre-owned condition. ? Lovely patina! Boxed for gift giving; gift wrapped on request. These are part of a MASSIVE estate collection of cufflinks and jewelry so be sure to check out our other items here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/NeatstuffAntiques?section_id=all We don’t polish these previously owned well loved pieces so we can keep the original patina. We try and photograph all of the pieces next to a ruler so you can see the actual size. All jewelry sold as found. NOTE TO BUYER: We Do not offer engraving services of any sorts as we are not equipped to do so I’m sure your local jeweler would be happy to do so, sorry for any inconvenience thank you. All cufflinks ( unless otherwise specified) are considered costume jewelry. We use the descriptions of any stones from the manufacturers titles when they were first produced. When we refer to the stones as moonstone or jade or garnet, for example, we are using how the original manufacturer of the pieces used them. We cannot guarantee the authenticity of a stone in a costume piece of jewelry. january13 2016 March1 2015