Spring Moon represents traditional China, and her daughter, Lustrous Jade, represents modern China. At the end of the novel, we see these elements combined in Spring Moon's great granddaughter, Jade Spring. Jade Spring takes Spring Moon's hand and is ready to listen to a story of the clan. This gives the reader hope that the traditional ways of China will not be totally lost to the more modern ways. The future of any country lies with its youth, and Jade Spring represents the future of China that will embrace its past and blend it with the present and the future.