The CHAO Jade Green is the third edition of the CHAO series, published by MPC. “Chao” is the Chinese word for “dynasty”, and the deck is dedicated to four of the best known in Chinese history: Han, Tang, Ming and Qing. This version takes jade green as its main colour.

• PublisherMPC
• SeriesCHAO, third edition (Jade Green)
• PrinterMPC
• FinishM32 linen air card stock with BETA finish
• Print run2,500 decks
• Contents52 cards + 2 jokers

Design

The green was chosen for jade, a stone that in ancient China was associated with the imperial court and considered especially precious. That shade covers the card backs and the case, which features embossing and gold foil (metallic stamping). The court cards keep the layout of a traditional deck, but each one depicts a figure from Chinese history: the kings are emperors, the queens empresses and the jacks generals. Each suit corresponds to a dynasty—Han, Tang, Ming and Qing—and the clothing and accessories change from one suit to another: the empresses carry the instrument they played and the generals wear armour and bear the weapon they fought with. The four aces carry Chinese-inspired ornaments and the Ace of Spades adds a dragon, the traditional symbol of imperial power. The two jokers depict two historical figures who are still highly respected in China. The seal on the case imitates a Chinese red-ink stamp bearing the name of QP Group, MPC’s parent company.

Manufacturing

It is made by MPC (MakePlayingCards) itself. It uses its M32 linen air stock (with a very fine linen texture on the surface) combined with the BETA finish, MPC’s own varnish developed to help the cards glide smoothly. It is an edition limited to 2,500 decks and the publisher states that it will not be reprinted.