How a humble cabbage became one of the Forbidden City’s most memorable treasures

The Jadeite Cabbage, a jade carving from the Qing dynasty, is a star attraction at Taiwan's National Palace Museum, drawing millions of visitors annually. Despite its modest size, the sculpture's realistic detail and shimmering colors have made it a symbol of female purity and fertility, leading to its popularity across merchandise and media. Originally part of the Forbidden City's collection, the cabbage was relocated to Taiwan during the Chinese Civil War and has since become a cultural icon, though it is not officially designated as a national treasure. The museum takes great care in preserving and displaying the artifact, which is rarely lent to other countries, making its recent exhibition in the Czech Republic a significant event.