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Ruyi (scepter)
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<p>A <i>ruyi</i> (<a href="/facts/Traditional_Chinese_characters/bBFLkuz7">Chinese</a>: 如意; <a href="/facts/Pinyin/pUwjfMXg">pinyin</a>: <i>Rúyì</i>; lit. 'as desired', 'as [you] wish') is a Chinese curved decorative object that serves as either a ceremonial <a href="/facts/Scepter/SnEUL8IG">scepter</a> in <a href="/facts/Chinese_Buddhism/k9EN28cK">Chinese Buddhism</a> or a <a href="/facts/Amulet/aTApH0q5">talisman</a> symbolizing power and good fortune in <a href="/facts/Chinese_folklore/6c9zMDCg">Chinese folklore</a>. The "ruyi" image frequently appears as a motif in Asian art. </p><p>A traditional <i>ruyi</i> has a long S-shaped handle and a head fashioned like a fist, cloud, or <a href="/facts/Lingzhi_mushroom/nI3PHaBc">lingzhi mushroom</a>. <i>Ruyi</i> are constructed from diverse materials. For example, the <a href="/facts/Palace_Museum/xB0WyP91">Palace Museum</a> in <a href="/facts/Beijing/Bg4puFBv">Beijing</a> has nearly 3,000 <i>ruyi</i> variously made of gold, silver, iron, bamboo, wood, ivory, coral, rhinoceros horn, lacquer, crystal, jade, and precious gems. </p>