Distinguished jade enthusiasts and esteemed colleagues, I am Zhao Yaqin. Having dedicated over thirty years to the jade industry, I deeply appreciate the beauty of ancient jade, which lies not only in its warm texture and exquisite craftsmanship but also in the profound history and cultural connotations it embodies. In recent years, with the continuous emergence of new archaeological discoveries and the deepening of interdisciplinary research, our understanding of ancient jade is undergoing a profound transformation. Today, I wish to share some of my latest thoughts on ancient jade cultural studies, hoping to offer new insights.

In the past, we primarily viewed ancient jade as an exquisite "artifact," focusing on its superficial attributes such as age, material, ornamentation, and function. However, as research has progressed, I increasingly tend to regard ancient jade as an entity possessing the characteristics of a "cultural organism." It is not merely a carrier of ancient material civilization but also a condensed and projected reflection of spiritual beliefs, social structures, aesthetic sensibilities, and even cosmic views.

What constitutes a "cultural organism"? It means that ancient jade, in different historical periods and diverse regional cultures, was endowed with distinct "meanings of life." It is no longer a static, passive existence but rather a living cultural heritage intimately connected to the trajectory of human societal development, constantly evolving, growing, and even "breathing."

For instance, the jade artifacts of the Hongshan culture, with their unique C-shaped dragons and pig-dragons, are not simply expressions of animal worship. Instead, they are intimately linked to primitive shamanic beliefs, fertility cults, and an understanding of natural forces. These jade objects were imbued with a "divine nature," serving to communicate with heaven and earth, and to invoke blessings and good fortune. They were a medium for tribal chiefs to converse with deities, and a spiritual pillar maintaining the social order of clans. When we touch these ancient jades, what we feel is not merely cold stone but the most primitive and sincere awe and exploration of life and the cosmos by ancient ancestors. Their "life" lies in the original beliefs and spiritual power they carry.

Looking at jade artifacts from the Shang and Zhou dynasties, their role as ritual objects became increasingly prominent. Jade gui, zhang, and bi were not only symbols of power and status but also essential items for major activities such as national sacrifices, alliances, and diplomatic receptions. At this time, the "life" of ancient jade lay in the political ethics and social order it represented. Each ritual object embodied the rulers' understanding of the mandate of heaven and their pursuit of social stability. They were "living" institutions, an important component in the operation of the state machinery.

By the Han dynasty, jade culture reached a new peak. The "cultural life" of Han dynasty jade artifacts was more reflected in the Confucian thought and the belief in immortality they embodied. Jade suits, jade cicadas, and jade hand-grips used in burials all illustrate the Han people's imagination of the afterlife and their pursuit of eternal life. They were bridges connecting this world and the next, and carriers for the living's sorrow and hope. The prevalent Han dynasty idea of "a gentleman comparing his virtue to jade" further elevated jade's physical attributes—its warmth, resilience, and purity—to symbols of a gentleman's noble character. At this point, jade had become an embodiment of morality, a spiritual sustenance.

Entering the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties, and Sui and Tang periods, the flourishing of Buddhism and Taoism injected new "life elements" into ancient jade culture. The emergence of jade Buddhas and Taoist figurines reflected the influence of religious beliefs on jade art. After the Song dynasty, the aesthetic appreciation of jade by literati and scholars grew, and jade artifacts increasingly integrated into daily life, becoming scholarly objects, personal ornaments, and more. At this time, the "life" of ancient jade was more embodied in its artistic aesthetics and humanistic sentiments.

Therefore, when we study ancient jade today, we should not merely interpret its material properties but delve deeper into the cultural information it contains. This requires us to employ knowledge from multiple disciplines, including archaeology, history, ethnology, religious studies, and art history, for interdisciplinary research.

For example, through precise analysis of the excavation layers of ancient jade, combined with research on other artifacts from the same layer, we can more accurately reconstruct the usage scenarios and cultural context of ancient jade. Through semiotic interpretation of ancient jade ornamentation, we can explore the hidden primitive beliefs, cosmic views, or social codes behind them. Through reconstructive research on ancient jade manufacturing techniques, we can understand the wisdom and technological level of ancient people, and even deduce the social division of labor and productivity levels of the time.

Looking ahead, I believe ancient jade cultural research will exhibit the following trends:

  • Digitalization and Intelligence: Utilizing 3D scanning, VR/AR technologies to create high-precision models of ancient jade, achieving its "eternal life" in virtual space. Through big data analysis, uncovering the deep connections between ancient jade and society, culture, and environment.


  • Cross-Cultural Comparative Research: Placing Chinese ancient jade within the context of global civilization, conducting comparative studies with jade cultures of other civilizations worldwide, to explore the commonalities and differences in human civilization.


  • Public Participation and Revitalization: Beyond academic research, it is crucial to bring ancient jade culture into public life. Through exhibitions, education, and cultural creative products, allow more people to experience the charm of ancient jade and inherit the excellent traditional Chinese culture.


Ancient jade is solidified history, a silent poem. In its unique form as a "cultural organism," it narrates the long and glorious civilizational journey of the Chinese nation. As practitioners and researchers in the jade industry, we bear the mission of deciphering these "codes of life." Let us, with reverence for history and deep affection for culture, continue to explore deeply, allowing the "life" of ancient jade to radiate an even more brilliant light in contemporary times.

Finally, I want to emphasize that the value of ancient jade is by no means solely its market price, but more importantly, its cultural, historical, and artistic value. We should approach the understanding and appreciation of every piece of ancient jade with a broader vision, a more rigorous attitude, and deeper contemplation. They are precious legacies left to us by our ancestors, and spiritual ties that connect us to the past and enlighten our future. May we all become guardians and inheritors of the "cultural organism" that is ancient jade.