Embroidered trim in the shape of magnolias and jade discs

Trim of this type was often appliquéd to women's clothing or furniture covers. This pairing of the magnolia and the jade disc emphasizes their close association. The Chinese word for magnolia (yulan) translates as "jade orchid" and therefore the flower is often used as a pictorial pun to represent the Chinese word for jade (yu). The white magnolia, specifically, is an emblem of purity.