| Betrothal Jade Butterfly | |
|---|---|
| |
|
Origin |
The Butterfly Lovers |
|
Type |
Jade Pendant |
|
Effects |
Flies towards an ideal romantic partner |
|
Downsides |
Separation causes worsening sickness until wasting away |
|
Activation |
Contact while experiencing romantic longing or interest |
|
Collected by |
Warehouse 6 |
|
Section |
|
|
Aisle |
939148-6149 |
|
Shelf |
294668-9247-645 |
|
Date of Collection |
1094 AD |
| [Source] | |
Origin[]
The Butterfly Lovers is a Chinese legend centered around the tragic romance between Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai, set in the Eastern Jin dynasty (266–420 AD).
Zhu Yingtai is the only daughter of the wealthy Zhu family. Although women are traditionally discouraged from scholarly pursuits, Zhu convinces her father to attend classes in disguise as a man. During her journey to Hangzhou, she meets scholar Liang Shanbo. They feel a strong affinity for each other at their first meeting and take an oath of fraternity. They study together for the next three years in school and Zhu gradually falls in love with Liang. Although Liang equals Zhu in their studies, he fails to notice the feminine characteristics exhibited by his classmate.
One day, Zhu receives a letter from her father, asking her to return home as soon as possible. In her heart, she has already confessed her love for Liang and is determined to be with him for all eternity. Before her departure, she reveals her true identity to the headmaster's wife and asks her to pass a jade pendant to Liang as a betrothal gift.
Liang accompanies his "sworn brother" for 18 miles to see her off. During the journey, Zhu hints to Liang that she is actually a woman. For example, she compares them to a pair of mandarin ducks (a symbol of lovers in Chinese culture), but Liang does not suspect his companion is a woman. Zhu finally comes up with an idea and tells Liang that she will act as a matchmaker for him and Zhu's "sister". Before they part, Zhu reminds Liang to visit her residence later so he can propose to marry her "sister".
Months later, when Liang visits Zhu, he discovers that she is actually a woman. They are devoted to another and make a vow to the effect of "till death do us part". The joy of their reunion is short-lived as Zhu's parents have already arranged for her to marry a wealthy merchant, Ma Wencai. Liang is heartbroken when he hears the news and his health gradually deteriorates until he becomes critically ill. He dies in office later as a county magistrate.
On the day of Zhu's marriage, strong winds prevent the wedding procession from escorting the bride beyond Liang's grave, which lies along the journey. Zhu leaves the procession to pay her respects at Liang's grave. She descends in bitter despair and begs for the grave to open. Suddenly, the grave opens with a clap of thunder. Without further hesitation, Zhu throws herself into the grave to join Liang. Their spirits emerge in the form of a pair of butterflies and fly away together, never to be separated again.
Effects[]
Flies away and leads people to a future partner. They don’t necessarily have to be the chosen one that perfectly fulfills the user, but someone they would appreciate and love full heartedly. Will never lead to a person that is fundamentally opposed to the lover’s personality. Strikes user with illness that wastes away the body if they are separated by force outside their own volition. Permanent long-term parting will often cause one to pass from the accumulated heartache.