“For the turquoise is to all Tibetans a most precious jewel, They love it for its beauty and they believe it has magic power, It is the symbol of power and of wealth, the wealth of this world and the wealth of the soul; and it is the outward sign of sovereignty. Only officials may wear the long single turquoise eatting which is the badge of rank, though all, even the poorest, men as well as women, are never contented or secure until they can wear a fleck of the magic stone, in a nose, or ear, or finger ring. However small it may be, the precious gem will protect them from danger and evil, and will link them to God.” Turquoise Book:Daughter of the Mountains Source: Daughter of the Mountains
“She looked with pleasure at the blue cushioned seat and the hood to protect the rider from sun or rain. How very strange it felt merely to sit above those turning wheels, and bowl gently down the street! And to watch the trotting legs of the rickshaw man before her in the shafts! Since she had grown too big to be lifted astride her father’s shoulder or her mother’s hip, Momo had never been carried by anything but her own strong legs, She laughed aloud with pleasure at this strange sensation, and the coolie turning, grinned at her and called to her cheerfully, “Tsk bai, baccha!”’ (All right, little girl!)” Rickshaw Book:Daughter of the Mountains Source: Daughter of the Mountains