Since ancient times, jade in Chinese culture has carried extraordinary significance. It is not only a symbol of beauty but also a spiritual object that connects heaven and earth and protects all living beings. Among the many meanings of jade, warding off evil is undoubtedly one of the oldest and most profound themes. How did a piece of warm jade, emerging from the depths of mountains and rivers, become a carrier of faith to resist evil and guard peace? Behind this lies the Chinese nation's profound understanding and relentless pursuit of life, order, and the universe.
The beginning of the story can perhaps be traced back to the distant Neolithic Age. In the archaeological sites of the Hongshan and Liangzhu cultures, we discovered a large number of uniquely shaped jade artifacts, such as jade pig dragons, jade cong, and jade bi. These objects were not mere decorations; they often appeared in tombs and were closely linked to sacrificial activities. For instance, the jade cong of the Liangzhu culture, with its inner circular and outer square shape, was believed to be a ritual vessel connecting heaven and earth, symbolizing the cosmic order. The beast mask patterns carved on the cong, majestic and mysterious, were both incarnations of deities and endowed with the power to deter evil. Archaeologists have found that jade cong were often placed on the chest and abdomen of tomb occupants, not only as a display of wealth but also in the hope that the spiritual energy of jade would allow the deceased to rest in peace, free from evil spirits, and also protect the living.
During the Shang and Zhou dynasties, although bronze ware became prevalent, the status of jade remained unshaken. At this time, jade artifacts were more integrated with ritual systems, but their evil-warding function remained significant. The Zhou Dynasty's "Book of Rites: Yu Zao" states: "A gentleman does not part with jade without reason." This was not merely a symbol of a gentleman's virtue but also implied the custom of wearing jade for safety. During the Warring States period, the Chu poet Qu Yuan wrote in "Li Sao": "Adorned with colorful ornaments, their fragrance spreads far and wide." Among these "ornaments," jade pendants were certainly indispensable. Ancient people believed that the purity and resilience of jade could resist defilement and dispel misfortune. The emergence of jade burial suits in the Qin and Han dynasties pushed the evil-warding function of jade to its extreme. After death, Han emperors and nobles wore jade suits sewn with gold or silver threads, intending for "gold and jade on the body, soul never scattered," to prevent bodily decay and achieve immortality. This was an ultimate combination of evil-warding and immortality beliefs, reflecting people's exploration of the ultimate meaning of life at that time.
The forms of evil-warding jade artifacts also became increasingly diverse. In addition to abstract ritual vessels, concrete animal figures became important evil-warding themes. The Han Dynasty's jade bixie (also known as Tianlu or Pixiu) is an outstanding example. These mythical beasts were fierce in appearance, either striding proudly or baring their fangs and claws, believed to devour evil spirits and attract wealth and blessings. They were often placed in front of palaces and tombs, becoming sacred totems guarding peace. After the Tang and Song dynasties, with the prosperity of Buddhism and Taoism, more religious elements were incorporated into jade carving, such as jade Guanyin, jade Buddha, and jade Eight Immortals. These figures themselves carry the meaning of saving sentient beings and subduing demons, and combined with the spirituality of jade, they add a sacred protective power.
Even today, evil-warding jade artifacts remain active in people's lives. Whether wearing a small jade Buddha or Guanyin, or placing a jade Pixiu at home, they embody people's yearning for a better life and prayers for peace and health. Modern jade carving artists, while inheriting the traditional evil-warding culture, constantly innovate. They combine traditional mythical beast images with modern aesthetics, creating evil-warding jade carvings that possess both profound cultural heritage and modern appeal. For example, some jade carving works cleverly integrate traditional patterns with modern abstract elements, retaining the evil-warding meaning while also showcasing unique artistic charm.
Jade blesses all beings; it is not just a beautiful wish but also the crystallization of the Chinese nation's wisdom in struggling against nature and the unknown for thousands of years. From the ancient jade cong to the Han Dynasty's bixie, and to today's jade pendants, every piece of jade carries the ancestors' deep emotions of reverence for life and resistance to evil. It is not just an object but a spiritual sustenance and a cultural inheritance. When we touch a warm piece of jade, we seem to feel that protective power transcending time and space, and the continuous cultural pulse of the Chinese nation.