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Statue of the 5 Rams
Jade carving of horses
Jade carving of chickens
Jade carving of a ship
Maddie on the "Red couch"

The first picture is of the statue of the 5 rams. The city of Guangzhou has two nicknames, one is the city of flowers because there are flowers blooming year round (even in the winter). The other is the city of the 5 rams. This comes from a legend. There was a farmer who couldn't pay the governor (land owner) the grain due because of a sever draught. The farmer was taken by soldiers and the farmers son was told his father would die if the boy could not pay the amount due by the next day. The boy cried so loud that night that the 5 immortals heard him and came down riding the 5 rams. The rams each had a grain of wheat in their mouths. The immortals told the boy to plant the seeds and the next day there would be enough to pay the governor. The boy wasn't sure this would happen but he planted the seeds and did all the immortals told him to do. The next day there was an abundant harvest. He took what was demanded to the governor. The governor in turn thought the boy had stolen the grain. The boy told him what had happened. The governor being greedy wanted the 5 rams and sent soldiers out to capture them. The soldiers swords were broken because the rams had turned to stone. Therefore, the monument. Also since that time this area has been blessed with rainfall and growth.

The carvings of the chickens and horses are of jade and show the different shades of jade. They are for sale, if anyone is interested. Around 800,000 yuan (approximately 100,000 US dollars). The jade ship is also carved from one piece of jade. It is very large, at least 9 feet high. Can you even imagine the size of the jade from which this was carved?

The last picture is of Maddie on the "Red Couch". This is also a tradition for the Chinese. The babies who are adopted have their pictures taken on the red couch and is supposed to bring the baby and their family good luck.