At the dawn of Chinese civilization, when all things were first born, an ancient and enduring legend circulated—Nüwa Mends the Sky. This story is not only a vital part of the Chinese creation myth but also intricately linked to our beloved jade culture. It not only tells of the selfless devotion of the goddess Nüwa but also implicitly imbues jade with sacred qualities and immortal cultural connotations.
According to legend, Gonggong and Zhuanxu fought for supremacy, and Gonggong, in a fit of rage, struck Mount Buzhou, causing the pillar of heaven to break, the earth's foundation to crack, and a huge hole to appear in the sky. Floods raged, and living beings suffered immensely. Faced with this cataclysmic disaster, Nüwa, the ancestress of humanity, was filled with compassion and resolutely decided to refine stones to mend the sky. She searched all over the world and finally found five-colored divine stones on the summit of Kunlun. These divine stones were no ordinary objects; they contained the essence of heaven and earth, condensing the brilliance of the sun and moon, precisely what we call "jade" today. Nüwa gathered these five-colored divine jades and, in raging flames, underwent eighty-one days of tempering, finally refining the five-colored stones capable of repairing the firmament. She used these divine stones to stitch together the broken sky, then cut off the four legs of a giant turtle to serve as four colossal pillars supporting heaven and earth, quelling the floods and saving countless lives from the deluge.
This story, from ancient oral traditions to records in classics like "Shan Hai Jing" and "Huainanzi," has maintained its core spirit. It not only showcases the Chinese nation's indomitable spirit and courage in the face of disaster but also elevates jade to an unprecedented height. In the myth of Nüwa mending the sky, jade is no longer a simple mineral; it is endowed with the supreme divinity of creation, redemption, and guardianship. The "five colors" of the five-colored stones symbolize the five elements, representing the harmony and balance of all things in heaven and earth. The toughness, warmth, and introversion of jade perfectly align with Nüwa's compassion, wisdom, and selflessness.
From an archaeological perspective, jade played a crucial role in the early stages of Chinese civilization. The large number of exquisite jade artifacts unearthed from late Neolithic sites such as the Hongshan culture and Liangzhu culture, such as jade dragons, jade cong, and jade bi, all demonstrate the sacred status of jade in society at that time. They were not merely ornaments but also important mediums for communicating with heaven and earth and offering sacrifices to deities. These jade artifacts have ancient and exquisite carvings, and the cosmology and worldview they embody are consistent with the spirit of the Nüwa mending the sky myth. For example, the jade cong of the Liangzhu culture, square on the outside and round on the inside, symbolizes the "round heaven and square earth" cosmology, while the complex human-beast mask patterns on its surface are considered symbols for communicating with deities. This, in essence, is the maintenance and reconstruction of cosmic order, and the exploration and reverence for the origin of life, similar to Nüwa's act of refining five-colored stones to mend the sky.
The myth of Nüwa mending the sky not only gave jade a sacred origin but also deeply influenced later understandings and uses of jade. Chinese people love jade not only for its material beauty but also for its spiritual charm. Jade is regarded as a symbol of a gentleman's virtue, warm and lustrous, consistent inside and out. Wearing jade is not only a display of status but also a self-restraint and enhancement of one's character. From the imperial seals of emperors and generals to the jade pendants of literati and common people, jade is ubiquitous, permeating the very essence of the Chinese nation. It carries beautiful wishes for blessings, warding off evil, and ensuring safety, and also embodies aspirations for a beautiful life and a harmonious society.
In modern society, the story of Nüwa mending the sky and jade culture continue to shine brightly. It reminds us that in the face of challenges, we should have Nüwa's courage and responsibility; in the face of nature, we should have reverence and a way of harmonious coexistence. Jade, as a unique carrier of Chinese civilization, its warm and introverted characteristics coincide with the modern pursuit of peace, tranquility, and a healthy lifestyle. From the inheritance and innovation of jade carving art to the popularization of jade health concepts, and the blossoming of jade culture on the international stage, the mythical spirit of Nüwa mending the sky is subtly nourishing our cultural life and guiding us towards a better future. Jade, as the "national stone" of the Chinese nation, and the creation myth it embodies, will forever be a brilliant pearl in the treasure house of Chinese civilization, shining with eternal light.