Jade Maiden's Open Heart

Jade Maiden's Open Heart

Attraction Location

Within the Nanshuiyuan Scenic Area of Sanqingshan Mountain, Shangrao City, Jiangxi Province

Jade Maiden's Open Heart is located in Nanshuiyuan. It has been playfully dubbed “a spear playing with twin breasts” and “one center, two basic points,” symbolizing the purity and beauty of Sanqingshan. From afar on the stone platform, it resembles a pair of plump, full breasts exposed in the air, open and unrestrained. This naturally formed, uniquely shaped rock is extremely rare in the world and is hailed as the “Venus of the East.”

Jade Maiden's Open Heart is one of the ten most breathtaking wonders of Sanqingshan. It is situated to the west of Yutai (Jade Terrace) and above Laishengtai (Next Life Terrace) in the Nanshuiyuan area of Sanqingshan, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site and a National Key Scenic Spot. Commonly known as “a spear playing with twin breasts,” it is also called the “perfect yin-yang match,” and has the playful nickname “one center, two basic points.” On a natural stone platform, a pair of round, full, and sacred breasts are exposed between the holy mountain’s green pines and trees, sitting openly and gracefully atop the terrace. On the breasts sit two exquisitely round jade-like beads, standing tall and proud like lotus flowers emerging from water or twin blossoms joined at the stem. The breasts and beads are naturally formed, perfectly integrated, and their miraculous beauty is beyond words. Just below and in front of the breasts, there is a small natural stone pillar that forms a perfect match — resembling a spear or halberd, with a masculine shape pointing upward, subtly present yet not overt. It is said: “The Golden Boy and Jade Maiden roam Sanqingshan, overjoyed and carefree.”

The *Classic of Divine Marvels: Central Wasteland* states: “The nine celestial palaces’ golden boys and jade maidens rest together with heaven and earth. Without deliberate pairing, male and female attain immortality naturally.” In the blessed lands where immortals dwell, golden boys and jade maidens freely love each other, enjoying the bliss of attaining enlightenment.

Jade Maiden's Open Heart is a symbol of the purity, beauty, and sanctity of Sanqingshan. That such hard stone peaks can take on soft, voluptuous forms is extremely rare in the world, showing the wonder of nature’s creation.

Jade Maiden's Open Heart is a miraculous natural heritage of Sanqingshan. A masterpiece of nature, it opens its vast embrace, reveals great sanctity, and hides the legendary story of the birth of Laozi, the primordial deity of Taoism.

Historical records state that Laozi was a great thinker from the State of Chu during China’s Spring and Autumn period nearly 3,000 years ago. But as the revered progenitor of Taoism, Laozi is an eternal, supreme heavenly deity. Before heaven and earth were divided, he transformed into Pangu, who created the world. Later, he took on various incarnations to descend to the mortal realm, always serving as a teacher to kings. By the 18th generation of the Shang Dynasty, Laozi separated his spirit and energy from the Taiqing Realm, transforming into a plum that floated in a river called “Lixiang Gully.” It was then swallowed by Yuniu (Jade Maiden), the daughter of King Xuanniao, who was washing clothes by the river. From then on, Yuniu became pregnant. According to *Youyang Zazu*, she was pregnant for 3,700 years — known as the “Three Pure Spirits” years — but had still not given birth. It is clear that this Laozi was truly the “most unusual fetus in the world.” Later, this “most unusual being” appeared in Yuniu’s dream, telling her that she must go to a sacred mountain called Sanqingshan, lie in the holy environment of Yutai, and cut open her left armpit to give birth to him. Following the deity’s instructions, Yuniu went to Sanqingshan, lay on the jade platform surrounded by thousands of green pines, opened her chest, and cut open her left armpit. Sure enough, she gave birth to a child — but it was an old man with white hair. So Yuniu named him “Laozi” (literally “Old Child”). Since Laozi was conceived after Yuniu swallowed a plum, his family name became “Li” (plum). Because Laozi had three ear holes, his given name was “Er” (ear), making his name Li Er. It is also said that Laozi’s ears were seven inches long, hence his alias “Lao Dan” (“Dan” meaning long, large ears).

Opposite Yutai (Jade Terrace) in Sanqingshan are three ethereal main peaks called Yujing (Jade Capital), Yuxu (Jade Emptiness), and Yuhua (Jade Splendor). When the Tang Dynasty poetic genius Li Bai visited Mount Lu, he was divinely inspired by the deity and wrote the famous verse: “From afar I see immortals amid the rosy clouds, holding lotus flowers and facing Jade Capital. Long ago they roamed the boundless skies, wishing to welcome Lu Ao to journey through the Great Clarity.” The poem mentions landscapes — lotus flowers, Jade Capital, and Great Clarity — that do not exist on Mount Lu but are all found in Sanqingshan. This is a message guiding people to come to Sanqingshan to worship Jade Capital, pay homage to the Three Pure Ones, ascend Yutai, and admire the magnificence of Jade Maiden's Open Heart.

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