The use of white jade in smudging and cleansing rituals has become popular in various spiritual and wellness communities. However, this practice raises important cultural appropriation issues that deserve attention.
Smudging itself is a sacred ritual traditionally used by Indigenous peoples, particularly Native American tribes. It involves burning specific herbs like white sage to cleanse negative energy and purify spaces or individuals. This practice holds deep spiritual meaning and is often reserved for members within those cultures who understand its significance through generations of tradition.
When people outside these communities adopt smudging rituals—especially using materials like white jade or white sage—without understanding or respecting their origins, it can be seen as cultural appropriation. This means taking elements from a culture without permission, often stripping them of their original context and meaning. For Indigenous peoples, smudging is not just a trendy wellness activity but a sacred ceremony tied to identity, spirituality, and heritage.
White jade itself carries symbolic importance in some Asian cultures but combining it with Native American-style smudging can blur distinct cultural practices into one generic “spiritual” trend. This blending risks erasing the unique histories behind each tradition while commodifying them for commercial gain or aesthetic appeal.
Moreover, the widespread commercialization of smudging products—including bundles of sage sold online or in stores—has led to overharvesting of plants like white sage. This threatens the environment as well as the availability of these sacred herbs for Indigenous communities who rely on them for their ceremonies.
Respectful engagement with such traditions means acknowledging their origins and supporting Indigenous voices rather than appropriating symbols superficially. It also involves understanding that some practices are closed—that is, meant only for certain groups—and should not be adopted casually by outsiders.
In short, while cleansing rituals involving white jade or similar items may seem harmless or even healing at first glance, they carry complex layers tied to history, culture, spirituality, and environmental sustainability that must be honored thoughtfully rather than appropriated carelessly.