Use: As well as being seen in the flag of the Condominium, the Jewel is used in a similar fashion to a logo or Coat of Arms for the government, in letterheads, in sculpture, on buildings, in mosaic in the entry halls of buildings. It is therefore a common symbol in interior design and fashion among the ruling elite.
Constitution: A True Norfolk Jewel, or Nirdasyusadhuta, is a manifestation of the symbol made up of the following components, heading out from the centre: a pink diamond; wood central mount covered with a ring of red lacquer (laksha, लक्ष), with brown lacquer points; triangular slates of thin grey-green emerald; aquamarine beryl points; and leaves of deep blue tanzanite. These would normally be mounted on a wall in a nobleman's office or family home.
Otherwise, Norfolk Jewels come in all kinds of varieties. Some made up of mosaic tiles, others paint, some made up of even more varieties of gemstone than a Nirdasyusadhuta.
Symbology: There are many interpretations of the symbols behind the Norfolk Jewel. The outer leaves form a dodecagon between their points, and the whole shape is rich in geometrical and mathematical complexity which make it a wonder to look at, especially when coloured appropriately. A prevailing notion about the Jewel is that it encompasses a total sum; the question is, what is the subject matter that it explains totally? The most common theory is the cosmic interpretation, that the centre of the universe - godhead - is represented by the centre; the red lacquer emanates out representing other deities and angels; the brown represents enlightened mortals, monarchs and aristocracies; the green, other mortals and natural beauty; the light blue, corrupted mortals; the outer dark blue, hell (naraka नरक).
The second theory is the psychological interpretation which holds that each of the Jewel's sections represents a part of the human soul or mind. From the highest point of enlightenment, to good moral virtue thinking, to conscious industry, to compassion and taking joy in the growth of others, to the blue sections of corrupted will (light blue) and unconscious malice (dark blue). It is said that many owners of Nirdasyusadhuta spend hours meditating on the structure of the Jewel, with this structure of the soul in mind, in an attempt to enlighten themselves and discover new wisdom about humanity and the world.
The third and perhaps least reflective of the three key conceptions of the Jewel is the most recent, and it is called the Islander interpretation. It suggests that according to certain scriptures, texts and rumours, the Jewel is not the symbol itself but the treasure indicated by the symbol, which is itself a map. This could refer to a particularly valuable gemstone (the jewel), or a whole treasure trove. The central point is clearly the treasure, while the dark blue is the North Raynor Sea, but debate rages as to the significance of the other colours and layers. This view is held predominantly by the uneducated but some scholars adhere to it, believing the cosmic and psychological theories to be later evolutions and misapprehensions, or even an act of wilful obscurity by the ruling elite who aim to discover the secret of the Jewel themselves. This particular conspiracy theory is well-known but given little credence in the mainstream.
