A Cloud as Counterweight

From the stūpa bead emerges a long string with two large stones set in heavy filigrees. Upon inspection of the portraits in the previous marker, you might notice that this string is nowhere to be found in the paintings. The reason for this can be found in the purpose of this appendage. It is worn on the back to serve as a counterweight for the long necklace with its heavy beads. The Chinese name for this part of the necklace seems like a euphemism, being very optimistic about the weight of it all: it is called the ‘back cloud’ (beiyun 背雲).