In the heart of the Central Plains, at the foot of the Funiu Mountains, lies an ancient land that nurtured the cradle of Chinese civilization. Beneath this rich loess, a treasure known as 'Nanyang Dushan Jade' is deeply hidden. It may not be as renowned as Hetian jade, nor as colorful as jadeite, yet with its unique gentle luster, unpredictable colors, and profound history closely linked to the early development of Chinese civilization, it has become an indispensable part of Chinese jade culture. Dushan Jade, this brilliant pearl of ancient Central Plains jade, carries the earliest human perception of beauty and writes legendary stories of civilizational evolution.
The discovery and utilization of Dushan Jade can be traced back to the Neolithic Age, some seven to eight thousand years ago. Archaeologists have repeatedly unearthed artifacts such as jade huang (arc-shaped pendants), jade bi (discs), and jade axes carved from Dushan Jade at the Huangshan and Yangshao cultural sites in Nanyang, Henan. These unearthed artifacts are not only solid evidence of Dushan Jade's mining history but also a material embodiment of the aesthetic tastes and spiritual beliefs of ancient Chinese people. Imagine, in that distant era of extremely low productivity, how did the ancestors identify Dushan Jade from hard rocks, and how did they shape it with rudimentary tools? This was not merely a test of skill but also a reverence for and pursuit of the inherent divinity of jade. They believed that jade could communicate with heaven and earth, connecting with deities, thus treating jade artifacts as symbols of sacrifice, power, and status. Dushan Jade, in this primitive belief and labor, was endowed with cultural significance beyond its material essence.
The color of Dushan Jade is one of its major characteristics, often referred to as 'seven-color jade.' Unlike the purity of Hetian jade or the vibrancy of jadeite, it presents a wonderful blend of red, green, yellow, purple, white, black, and other colors. This polychromatic nature makes every piece of Dushan Jade unique and provides a vast creative space for jade carvers. Xu Yingkui, a scholar from the Qing Dynasty, recorded in his book 'Yu Ji' (Records of Jade): 'Nanyang Dushan Jade, with its varied colors of red, green, yellow, white, and occasionally black, possesses a fine texture and can rival other jades.' This is not only an affirmation of Dushan Jade's quality but also an admiration for its colorful charm. Jade carvers skillfully utilize the natural colors of Dushan Jade, perfectly combining the beauty of nature with human wisdom to create exquisite works of art. For instance, a Dushan Jade carving might cleverly use its natural red skin to sculpt auspicious clouds, green flesh to carve mountains, and white flesh to transform into cranes, showcasing a complete landscape within a single piece – this is the charm of Dushan Jade's unique 'qiaose qiaodiao' (skillful carving utilizing natural colors) technique.
The cultural significance of Dushan Jade extends far beyond its material and carving. It is inextricably linked with Central Plains culture, especially Chu and Han cultures. During the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, the Chu State had a vast territory and flourishing culture, and Dushan Jade, as an important jade material, was extensively used to make ritual vessels and ornaments. Although historical records do not explicitly state whether the famous 'He Shi Bi' (Heshi jade disc) was made of Dushan Jade, its origin is close to that of Dushan Jade, and Dushan Jade possesses the characteristic of 'flaws not obscuring its beauty,' leading later scholars to speculate about its relationship with the He Shi Bi. In the Han Dynasty, with Nanyang as the hometown of Emperor Guangwu Liu Xiu, the status of Dushan Jade reached its peak. Dushan Jade artifacts unearthed from Han tombs, with their regular shapes and exquisite carvings, reflect the high level of jade carving and the custom of elaborate burials during the Han Dynasty. These jade artifacts were not only symbols of the tomb owner's status but also microcosms of Han dynasty social thought and aesthetic concepts.
In modern times, the inheritance and development of Dushan Jade face new opportunities and challenges. With the renewed appreciation for traditional cultural values, the unique charm of Dushan Jade has once again attracted worldwide attention. Nanyang Dushan Jade Carving, as a national intangible cultural heritage, is radiating new vitality with its exquisite craftsmanship and profound cultural connotations. Contemporary jade carving masters, while inheriting tradition, continuously innovate, combining modern aesthetics with traditional craftsmanship to create Dushan Jade works that possess both contemporary characteristics and classical charm. At the same time, the cultural dissemination of Dushan Jade is becoming increasingly widespread through exhibitions, seminars, and cultural and creative product development, allowing more people to understand, appreciate, and collect Dushan Jade. Dushan Jade, this ancient jade once hidden deep underground, is continuing to write a new chapter in the jade culture of the Chinese nation with its unique cultural charm, becoming an important carrier connecting the past and the future, and inheriting the bloodline of civilization.