A GREENISH-WHITE JADE RUYI SCEPTER

As the first tree to bloom each year the prunus or plum tree represents perserverance and purity, and as the flowers appear on old branches, it is also a symbol of vigorous old age. The five petals of the flower represent the Five Blessings: old age, wealth, health, love of virtue, and a natural death. The combination of the hovering bat (fu) and the ribbon-tailed birds (shoudainiao) seen in the tree on the ruyi head represent the phrase, "May you have blessings and longevity," all fitting motifs for a ruyi scepter, which itself, signified 'as you wish.'