Black Onyx

Black Onyx: A beauty within darkness. In ancient China, agate was known as the "Mysterious Pearl" due to its mystical and beautiful qualities, revered much like an ancient sacred artifact. In Daoist philosophy, it was often used as a metaphor for the most talented individuals or treasured items. Many poems and writings have praised agate, expressing deep admiration for black onyx in particular. In some places, it is said to embody a love "as strong as death, with a silent endurance that surpasses all."

There is also a folklore story about black onyx. Long ago, there was a young stone carver in a village named A Qing. He was highly skilled and made a living carving stones. Kind-hearted and generous, he often helped others without expecting anything in return, earning him the nickname "the compassionate stone carver."

One day, A Qing stumbled upon a piece of black stone along a mountain path. Its surface was smooth and exuded a deep, mesmerizing glow. Recognizing it as a rare black onyx, he brought it home, intending to carve it into a beautiful ornament.

However, he soon discovered that this piece of black onyx was incredibly hard and resistant to any changes. He spent days trying all his tools, yet it remained intact. Just when he was about to give up, the black onyx emitted a faint glow, as if responding to his perseverance.

That night, A Qing had a dream in which an elderly man with white hair appeared. The old man revealed that this black onyx held an ancient secret of the village. Hundreds of years ago, the village had been plagued by disasters, famine, and war. It was a celestial being who sealed away the calamities within the black onyx, prophesying that only a kind and diligent stone carver could break the seal and release the trapped energy to bring peace back to the village.

Upon awakening, A Qing realized what he needed to do. Instead of trying to forcefully carve the onyx, he decided to approach it with calmness and focus, patiently polishing it day by day. Months later, the black onyx began to change, becoming more translucent, with an inner force that seemed to flow within. A Qing finally shaped it into a smooth protective ring and gifted it to the village elder. The elder hung the ring on an ancient tree at the village entrance.

From that day forward, the village experienced pleasant weather, abundant harvests, and a peaceful life. The villagers believed it was A Qing's kindness and the mystical black onyx that had brought stability and protection to their home.