After Overcoming Depression While Caring for Her Sick Husband, Hsieh Pi-lien Donates Auspicious Jade Ornaments to National Taiwan Museum for Exhibition

TAIPEI (CNA) - Hsieh Pi-lien, a board member of Tong Mao Semiconductor Inc., has long collected jade. During her husband's illness, jade helped her overcome depression. The National Taiwan Museum is now featuring an exhibition of the jade ornaments she donated, and Hsieh hopes that visitors will also feel happiness and joy when they see these jades.

The opening press conference for the "Square Inch of Blessed Fields - Ms. Hsieh Pi-lien's Donated Auspicious Jade Ornaments Special Exhibition" was held today at the National Taiwan Museum. Chen Teng-chin, the museum director, stated that in the past, the museum would spend time researching and understanding donated artifacts. What is different about Hsieh Pi-lien's donation is that before donating, she commissioned scholars to conduct nearly a year of academic research and interpretation. The process was meticulous, and he expressed his gratitude on behalf of the museum.

In recent years, Hsieh Pi-lien has successively donated over 300 artifacts to the National Taiwan Museum. She lived abroad in the United States with her husband in her early years. After returning to Taiwan, she volunteered at the National Palace Museum, deepening her understanding of cultural relics. She shared today that there are many types of jade, and her collection consists mostly of white nephrite. She particularly likes auspicious jade pieces. In ancient times, jade was regarded as a spiritual object that could connect heaven and earth for sacrifices. With the changing times, it has taken on different meanings, becoming burial objects, or ornaments that ordinary people can wear.

Jade also holds a different significance in Hsieh Pi-lien's life. She recalled that she went to live in the United States during the era of "Come, come, come to NTU; go, go, go to the USA." She returned to Taiwan in the 1980s. Her husband gave her great confidence and sufficient financial support, allowing her to shop, buy things, and collect so many items.

"I want to thank my husband, because of his health condition, he should actually be here today," Hsieh Pi-lien said. Her husband is currently unable to speak or move due to illness, which plunged her into a deep depression. So, she began to sort through her jade collection. "When you look at the things you love, the unpleasant things slowly disappear, replaced by a joyful and peaceful state of mind."

Hsieh Pi-lien said that she would look at these jades and talk to them. With the help of friends, family, and doctors, she gradually emerged. "I got up, and I am standing here." For her, jade is truly magical. She also hopes that when visitors come to this jade exhibition, they can feel the same abundance of happiness and joy as she does.

The exhibition, centered around the auspicious meanings brought by jade, showcases multiple sets of jade ornaments. For example, there are butterfly jade ornaments symbolizing "endless blessings" and jade ornaments combining elements of chime stones, fish, and lotus flowers to symbolize "abundance year after year." The National Taiwan Museum also integrates its mineral collection to introduce scientific knowledge, guiding visitors to understand the classification of jade in modern mineralogy.

The "Square Inch of Blessed Fields - Ms. Hsieh Pi-lien's Donated Auspicious Jade Ornaments Special Exhibition" is now on display at the main hall of the National Taiwan Museum until January 3, 2027. (Editor: Li Shu-hua) 1150708

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