| It’s usual to see butterflies being used as a | | | | butterfly “Hu Die Ma Ma” – “The |
| design of silver earrings, but it’s unusual to | | | | Butterfly Mom”. And they consider the maple |
| see a people fancying the styling to distraction. | | | | tree the ‘Guardian Tree’. |
| If you’ve ever seen a Miao woman, you | | | | Henceforth, the butterfly is honored by the Miao. |
| would have known. | | | | As one tribe grows into two, two into three, the |
| Wearing a staggering set of silver jewelry, a Miao | | | | people all use butterfly as their common symbol. |
| woman would attire the designs of butterflies | | | | And it is venerated and given offerings during |
| from top to toe: the caps, clasps, pins, chains, | | | | festivals. |
| earrings, necklaces, bracelets, chest bands, as well | | | | With time going by, butterfly becomes the totem |
| as anklets. They are wearing the design in such an | | | | of all Miao tribes. |
| excessive way that you simply can’t turn | | | | In their own way of memorizing the butterfly |
| your eyes away without being amazed. | | | | – their ‘Mom’, the Miao silversmiths |
| However, why do the Miao have such a zeal for | | | | make it a design of silver earrings and other |
| butterfly on their silver jewelry? | | | | jewelry pieces for the people to wear. |
| The answer lies in a beautiful legend that has been | | | | They believe that such a piece of jewelry could |
| passed down for countless generations. | | | | protect them from evil spirits and bring wearer |
| Once upon a time, there is a large maple tree at | | | | health and good luck. |
| the mountain top. Living in the comfort of dense | | | | The tradition is kept till this day. |
| leaves is a happy butterfly. When sun rises, the | | | | Today, if you visit a Miao village, you would be |
| butterfly dances for the maple tree. And when | | | | impressed by how often the butterfly silver |
| storms come, the maple tree protects the | | | | jewelry is worn, and how great it looks when |
| butterfly from the rains. | | | | going with a traditional Miao costume. |
| The happy two watch for each other day after | | | | That’s probably why some big fans of Miao |
| day. And there is love between them that cannot | | | | silver jewelry would rather travel thousands of |
| lie. Years past, and there is the product of the | | | | miles to the region in order to get an original pair |
| romance. | | | | of butterfly Miao silver earrings. |
| The butterfly has bore the children of the maple | | | | They say that when you move, the earrings |
| tree. And there are 12 of them: thunder, dragon, | | | | dangle like a pair of butterflies dancing around |
| snake, tiger, sheep, boar, lion, and a man to be | | | | your ears. |
| named Jiang Yang. | | | | Even great, by wearing a pair of butterfly |
| As Jiang Yang grows up, he moves away to | | | | earrings, you wear a piece of Miao history on you. |
| establish his own tribe. Though far away from | | | | And it is that mysterious charm that will often |
| home, Jiang never forgets the ones that has | | | | make you stand out and become the talk of the |
| given his life. He and his tribesmen begin call the | | | | day. |