Lapis lazuli

[Lapis lazuli facing the bead]

Lapis lazuli facing the bead, Qing Dynasty, with a circumference of 98 cm, old collection of Qing Palace
The bead is incomplete, including 58 lapis lazuli, four tourmaline Buddha heads and one pagoda. An oval gold inlaid tourmaline back cloud, the back cloud frame has been broken. A shaped tourmaline with golden dots hanging on the back of the cloud. Coral remembrance is hung three times, ten for each, and three for the pendant of gold, silk, jade and ruby
According to the regulations of the code, the emperor wore the lapis lazuli beads when offering sacrifices to the heaven at the Temple of Heaven
In the Qing Dynasty, the imperial bead can be worn by those with the fifth grade of civil official and the fourth grade of military official, and also by women with the fifth grade or above. The emperor and empress used bright yellow ribbons with beads, while others used gold or stone blue ribbons. There are various materials for making Chaozhu, including Dongzhu, lapis lazuli, dense wax, coral, turquoise, agate, crystal, emerald, amber, aloe, ivory, tourmaline, etc. According to the status, level and occasion, different materials of beads are used accordingly.