When the Sea Turned to Silver

Thread and embroidery are potent symbols representing memory, storytelling, and the interconnectedness of life in When the Sea Turned Silver. Throughout the novel, these ideas are woven into the fabric of the narrative, both literally and metaphorically. Amah’s embroidery plays a significant role in preserving the past, as each stitch captures stories and events that are too important to be forgotten. This emphasizes the idea that stories are spoken and remembered through creative expressions that transcend language. In this way, embroidery functions as a vessel for memory and history, ensuring that even if stories are forgotten, their essence remains preserved in the art.

Embroidery also represents the transformations that occur throughout the story. In The Story of the Widow’s Embroidery, the widow’s embroidered tapestry comes to life, transforming a static piece of art into something living and powerful. This story reflects that creativity and dedication can transcend their original purpose and lead to unexpected changes.

The Black Tortoise of Winter undergoes a transformation into embroidery. After the Tiger Emperor traps the Black Tortoise in the embroidery using the Iron Rod, the Black Tortoise’s power is confined and controlled. This symbolizes how those in power can manipulate or constrain art and life. However, despite the confinement, the Black Tortoise remains a vital force, representing the enduring strength of stories and traditions that cannot be easily erased.

Finally, Yishan’s gift of a thread bracelet that protects Pinmei further emphasizes the symbolic importance of thread in When the Sea Turned Silver. The bracelet, woven from a single thread, becomes a physical manifestation of Yishan’s care and the bond between him and Pinmei. More than just a simple object, the thread holds protective power, guarding Pinmei throughout her journey. This gift highlights how something as delicate as a single thread can offer strength, much like how stories, though intangible, provide guidance and protection, underscoring The Power of Stories. The thread bracelet serves as a reminder of the connection between individuals, much like the way stories weave together past and present, memory and reality, to shape the characters’ lives and destinies. Through this, Lin illustrates that threads—both literal and metaphorical—hold the power to protect, unite, and transform.

The Iron Rod in When the Sea Turned Silver symbolizes the complex theme of how perception shapes reality through power, control, and the consequences of selfish ambition. Initially a strand of Nuwa’s hair, the Iron Rod represents strength and adaptability. It protects Pinmei and Amah when they hold onto it, yet it is also fluid in its form, shifting to meet the needs of those who possess it. The Iron Rod can be as tall as a tree or as small as a needle, reinforcing the idea that perception and belief influence its power, just as Perception Shapes Reality for the characters throughout the novel.

The Sea King guards the Iron Rod; only an immortal can remove it from Sea Bottom. However, Lady Meng takes it and cleverly weaves it into her husband Wan’s shirt, hoping to protect him from harm. However, this act of protection backfires, leading to Wan’s eventual death at the hands of the Tiger Emperor, who seizes the Iron Rod for himself. This tragic outcome emphasizes the destructive nature of selfish ambition, as the Tiger Emperor uses the rod to trap the Black Tortoise of Winter, unleashing an endless winter upon the land. His acquisition of the Iron Rod symbolizes how power, when wielded for selfish reasons, brings about devastation.

Lady Meng’s attempt to protect Wan with the Iron Rod reinforces the stonecutter’s message: “Perhaps [safety and protection] is not a thing to hope for […] truly, the safest place in the world is this prison cell” (261). The Iron Rod’s symbolism extends beyond its physical form to reflect the dangers of overprotectiveness and the unintended consequences of trying to shield loved ones from the realities of life.

Sacrifice is a central motif in When the Sea Turned Silver. Sacrifice in the story is tied to love, loyalty, and survival. Early in the story, Pinmei’s grandmother, Amah (the Storyteller), is taken by the emperor. Pinmei’s journey to rescue her is an act of love and sacrifice. Her willingness to face danger, despite her initial timidity, reflects personal sacrifice for family and loved ones.

Amah, the Storyteller, represents sacrifice. Amah has been the keeper of stories, knowing that this role puts her at risk under the tyrannical rule of the Tiger Emperor. She shares these stories to preserve culture and memory at great personal cost. Her kidnapping by the Tiger Emperor can be seen as a direct consequence of her refusal to silence the past, demonstrating her sacrifice in protecting and preserving truth, as well as highlighting the power of stories.

Yishan’s ultimate sacrifice comes when he gives up his youth to save Amah, embracing personal sacrifice for the greater good. This selfless act has profound, permanent consequences—Pinmei and Amah can only see Yishan in the moon, never able to speak with him again. His transformation symbolizes the inevitable loss and separation that often accompany sacrifice.

Nuwa’s sacrifice is woven into the novel’s mythos through her role in mending the broken sky, an act that costs her life. The moon, referred to by the people of Sea Bottom as Nuwa’s Tear, symbolizes her immense sacrifice and the sorrow it brought. This myth echoes throughout the story, linking the moon to the motif of sacrifice, as characters like Yishan and Lady Meng give up parts of themselves for the benefit of those they love or to restore balance to the world.