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Baozhu pearl lore: Supernatural vs. real mythology

By Alexandria Ingham

Supernatural -- "Lebanon" -- Photo: Dean Buscher/The CW -- Acquired via CW TV PR
Supernatural -- "Lebanon" -- Photo: Dean Buscher/The CW -- Acquired via CW TV PR /
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Supernatural Episode 300 used the Baozhu pearl to bring John Winchester back from the dead. Was the Baozhu pearl lore based on anything in real mythology?

In Supernatural Episode 300, John Winchester returned from the dead. While it would have been nice to have the return a complete surprise, the way he came back was sweet and exciting. It was all done using the Baozhu pearl lore.

While given its own version of the mythology in the show, there is real mythology surrounding the pearl. Here’s a look at Supernatural vs. real mythology.

Pearl lore in Supernatural

More from Supernatural

The Baozhu pearl would give a person their heart’s desire. This would look deeper than the initial belief — deeper than the thought of a wish. Instead, it would go into the soul, pulling up the deepest desire, no matter how practical it was.

In Supernatural‘s case, it was to bring John Winchester back from 2003 because Dean’s deepest desire was to have his whole family back.

Getting rid of the wish was relatively simple. A person just had to destroy the pearl and the wish would disappear, fixing anything that the wish may have caused to break.

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND – JANUARY 14: Performers hold a Chinese dragon during the launch of the Chinese New Year Edinburgh festival on January 14, 2019 in Edinburgh, Scotland. A full programme to celebrate Chinese New Year will take place in from 2 to 17 February, across Scotland’s capital as locals and visitors celebrate the Year of the Pig. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)
EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND – JANUARY 14: Performers hold a Chinese dragon during the launch of the Chinese New Year Edinburgh festival on January 14, 2019 in Edinburgh, Scotland. A full programme to celebrate Chinese New Year will take place in from 2 to 17 February, across Scotland’s capital as locals and visitors celebrate the Year of the Pig. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) /

Real Baozhu pearl lore

In real Chinese mythology, the pearl is one of the Eight Precious Things/Eight Treasures, which is used in the series. Also known as the flaming pearl, it is often shown under the chin or claw of the Chinese dragons and is often associated with power, prosperity, wisdom, and even immortality. That’s not surprising considering the deepest desires people can have.

It is similar to the Buddhist/Hindu cintamani, a jewel that can fulfill wishes. The idea is that the pearl can help to remove suffering and sickness. There are no details about whether wishes can be reversed.

Wishes, in general, have been created through various methods, even in Supernatural. We’ve watched djinns put people into their wish worlds and wishes from old coins granted in wishing wells.

Next. Are Ma'lak boxes based on anything in real lore?. dark

What did you know about the Baozhu pearl lore? Did you realize there was real mythology surrounding it? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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