Symbolism is the practice of attributing symbolic meanings or significance to objects, events, or relationships. Symbolism creates an importance and special meaning in objects that normally would not be important. In The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan, a story of four Chinese-born women and their four American-born daughters, many symbols are presented. Throughout the many stories in the novel objects begin to hold significant importance to the women they are attributed to. Objects such as Suyuan Woo's pendant, Lindo Jong's red candle, and Lena St. Clair's vase become symbolic for the relationships between these women and people and events that are important in their lives.

The jade pendant given to Jing-mei "June" Woo by her mother Suyuan Woo is symbolic for the relationship June has with her mother before and after Suyuan's death. In the story narrated by June entitled "Best Quality," she says, "my mother gave...