“Jade comes from Kunlun,” this ancient adage, like an eternal song, sings the legend of Hetian jade. It not only points to the geographical origin of Hetian jade—the majestic Kunlun Mountains—but also reveals the supreme status of this warm and beautiful stone in Chinese culture. As an art critic specializing in jade carving, I deeply understand that discussing Hetian jade cannot merely stop at its physical properties; rather, it must delve into its cultural fabric, exploring how it transformed from a raw jade into a spiritual totem of the Chinese nation.
The story begins in the distant Neolithic Age. As early as seven thousand years ago, jade artifacts such as jade huang (arc-shaped pendant) and jade jue (ring with a gap) were discovered at the Hemudu cultural site, indicating that the Chinese nation's understanding and use of jade are much older than we imagine. However, it was the exchange between the Western Regions and the Central Plains that truly brought Hetian jade to the center stage of history. During the reign of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, Zhang Qian opened up the “Jade Road” to the Western Regions, continuously transporting precious jade from the depths of the Kunlun Mountains to Chang'an. This was not merely a trade route but also a cultural exchange link. According to the “Book of Han: Records of the Western Regions,” the Kingdom of Yutian (present-day Hotan region) “produces jade, mostly white jade.” This “white jade” undoubtedly refers to the finest quality of Hetian jade, mutton-fat jade. It was from then on that Hetian jade, with its unique charm of being “warm and lustrous, dense and firm, with a clear and resonant sound when struck,” conquered emperors and generals, becoming an imperial exclusive and gradually permeating the lives of literati and even ordinary people.
The cultural significance of Hetian jade far exceeds its material value. In Confucian thought, jade was endowed with the five virtues of “benevolence, righteousness, wisdom, courage, and integrity,” symbolizing the character of a gentleman. Confucius once said: “A gentleman likens his virtue to jade.” This concept of “likening virtue to jade” made jade artifacts not just ornaments but also vehicles for self-cultivation and emotional expression. For instance, the story of “He Shi Bi” (Heshi Jade) in the Warring States period not only showcases the rarity and preciousness of jade but also reflects Bian He's perseverance and determination to offer the precious jade, even at the cost of losing his feet, and the political struggle between Qin and Zhao for the jade, closely linking jade with national prosperity and decline, and personal integrity. The Tang dynasty poet Li Bai's lines, “Kunshan jade shatters, phoenix cries, lotus weeps dew, orchids smile with fragrance,” describe the elegant and noble purity of jade with romantic strokes.
In modern times, the mining and inheritance of Hetian jade face new challenges and opportunities. With the popularization of mechanized mining and the surge in market demand, traditional manual jade mining techniques and culture are at risk of being lost. However, it is against this backdrop that batches of jade carving artists and cultural scholars have taken on the mission of inheritance and innovation. They delve deep into the heart of the Kunlun Mountains, exploring ancient jade veins, and also diligently study traditional jade carving techniques, combining them with modern aesthetics to create jade carving works that possess both profound cultural heritage and contemporary appeal. For example, contemporary jade carving masters, while inheriting traditional techniques such as “clever coloring” and “qiao diao” (carving according to the natural color and shape of the stone), have incorporated concepts from modern painting and sculpture, allowing Hetian jade art to radiate new vitality. They are not merely carving jade; they are carving history, carving culture, and carving the aesthetic taste of the nation.
Today, Hetian jade has become an important symbol of Chinese national cultural identity. It is not only a collectible but also a bridge connecting history and the future. Every time we touch the warm jade, every time we admire an exquisite jade carving, we can feel the grandeur and profundity from the Kunlun Mountains, and the cultural bloodline that has traversed thousands of years of history. It reminds us that in the bustling modern society, there is still such a substance that can carry our pursuit of noble character, our reverence for traditional culture, and our pride in the long-standing Chinese civilization. Hetian jade, this precious stone from the foot of the Kunlun Mountains, will continue to write the legendary chapter belonging to the Chinese nation with its unique charm.