What is a Dragon Bone Stone?
Dragon Bone Stone, also known as the Dragon Pattern Stone, is a type of stone unique to Taiwan (to present understanding, though other similar sources of similar materials may exist), almost unknown in the anglosphere due to their limited availability and natural resistance to mass production.
Rumor has it that these stones were first collected by the Bunun people, the first known ‘indigenous’ inhabitants of Taiwan in our present understanding of history.
In fact, Bunun rock-hounds remain a substantial source for these stones as in 1999, the “921 Earthquake” cut off access to the primary mine available to produce these stones in mass.
Now they must be collected from riverbeds, sometimes with difficulty and danger, and thus they cannot be mass-produced or mined in large volumes to fill gem stores as with displays of material (unlike ‘Himalayan’ Pink Salt, Brazilian amethyst Geodes etc.).
There are enthusiast groups who go looking for these stones, much as a hobbyist gold-prospector might do in the United States for amusement.
Where do they come from?
In which river beds might you look for these stones? From internet copypasta: “Dragon Bone Stone can be found on the riverbeds of Zhuo-Shui Xi (also known as: Cho-Shui Xi, the River of Turbidity, 濁水溪) and Laui-Lon Xi (Mustard Thick River, 荖濃溪)”.
Like Lapis Lazuli or Tiger Iron, Dragon Pattern Stone consists of 3 distinct component materials preferably found together in one sample, though monolithic samples of just one material are certainly not uncommon.
Again, some samples are primarily or completely a single-phase (i.e. all metal or all stone). These may still be of interest for some purposes, but lack the 3-part character and charm of proper samples.
The 3 component materials are described as:
Metallic phase (described as ‘gold’, 金) - The source of the name. After polishing, the metallic component is described as “bright and dazzling, like the scales of a dragon”, giving the ‘dragon pattern’ to the material.
The composition of this phase almost certainly varies from piece to piece, as some are more gold/yellow or more silver/white in coloration, and has been stated to include the following: Gold, Copper, Iron, Nickel, etc. Specific compositional data may be available, but these reports are difficult for the author to find presently. Bears some resemblance to pyrite, but this has not been confirmed rigorously. Typically some degree of oxidation is present in the raw state.
Stone (石) - The dark grey gange rock around the metal, reported as a type of slate or shale. Polishing helps to produce a consistent, dark, background substrate for the jade and metal.
Jade (玉) - A boundary material between the metal and stone, here typically white to yellow to orange as opposed to the typical greens hues associated with Jade, it seems to be found between the metallic and stone components in variable and limited amounts, with some regions seemingly showing no Jade at all. Chemical analysis and microstructural comparison with other types of ‘jade’ (often a catch-all term) remain to be seen.
If you have further interest, information, or enthusiasm regarding this subject, please contact the author David at dbsaintjohn@gmail.com.
Healing properties of Dragon Bone Stone
In traditional philosophy, Yin Yang represents the flow of opposing primal forces in the universe – good and evil – or darkness and light. "Yin" is passive, cold, receptive feminine energy and "Yang" is masculine, movement, force and heat.
Masculine and feminine energies intertwine to strike a delicate balance between opposing forces, each infused with traces of the other. When they blend seamlessly, they form a harmonious unity of dual forces. In order to lead fulfilling lives, it's vital to ensure that our mental and physical faculties remain invigorated and in equilibrium.
If you frequently experience persistent feelings of coldness and low energy, along with symptoms like shallow breathing, sleep disturbances, and poor blood circulation, it may indicate an imbalance in the Yin-Yang energy within your body.
The dragon bone stone, renowned for its ability in Feng Shui, is considered a potent symbol of prosperity, courage, and self-assurance.
Carrying this talisman of "yang energy" daily is believed to imbue you with vibrant strength, helping to ward off negativity, adversity, and obstacles.
