In ancient China, a tongue amulet would have been placed on the tongue of the deceased person prior to being buried. Jade was believed to stop the body from decaying.
The left amulet is from the Han dynasty (most likely the right amulet is too). The right amulet is in the shape of a cicada. Since ancient times, the cicada has been seen as a symbol of resurrection, an association that owes to its fascinating life cycle. In the Han dynasty, jade amulets shaped like cicadas were placed on the tongues of the deceased person, no doubt to symbolize a hope for rebirth and immortality.
