Engraved silver amulet in the shape of a ‘Dragon fish’. Dragon fish are mythical creatures with a dragon’s head and a fish’s tail. They were thought to be fish transforming into dragons after they passed through the ‘Dragon’s gate’ which was located at the source of a river with almost unsurpassable rapids that could only be passed with great efforts. A Dragon fish symbolizes a wish to be successful during the Civil Service Examinations in order to achieve a ‘High status’. This amulet has recently been embellished with a artistically knotted cord as well as a jade and a coral bead. The Dragon fish dates from the late Qing period (1644 – 1912).