Pictorial Charm Item Number: Edz4178 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Round, square hole in centre, inner and outer rims on both sides, four Chinese characters on obverse, two Chinese characters and design on reverse; beetle or fly at top, three dots at bottom, on reverse.

History Of Use

Design similar to a coin, but not for circulation.

Iconographic Meaning

Unknown. Beetle representations are not common to Chinese symbolism. The meanings expressed by the symbols may be exclusive to certain religious or political groups (Li, Min).