In the heart of the Central Plains, at the foot of the Funiu Mountains, above the Nanyang Basin, lies a magical land that has nurtured one of China's four famous jades – Dushan Jade. It is not only a geological marvel but also a brilliant pearl in the history of Chinese civilization, carrying thousands of years of cultural memory and aesthetic taste. Whenever I mention Dushan Jade, its vibrant colors and the ancient stories closely associated with it come to mind.
Dushan Jade, named after its origin on Dushan Mountain in Nanyang, has a history that can be traced back to the Neolithic Age. As early as the Peiligang Culture period in the middle reaches of the Yellow River, more than 7,000 years ago, Dushan Jade had already entered the sight of early humans. Jade shovels and jade huang unearthed from the Xiawanggang site in Xichuan, Henan, and jade artifacts found at the Dahecun site in Zhengzhou, have been identified by experts as originating from Nanyang Dushan. This undoubtedly provides strong evidence for the long and rich history of Dushan Jade culture. What truly brought Dushan Jade to prominence, however, was the Yangshao Culture and Qujialing Culture periods, dating back 5,000 years. At that time, Dushan jade artifacts had become symbols of social wealth and status, and their exquisite carving craftsmanship reflected the highly developed civilization of the era.
The uniqueness of Dushan Jade lies in its rich colors and complex mineral composition. It is not a single mineral but is formed by the coexistence of various minerals such as plagioclase, zoisite, and sericite, thus presenting a variety of colors including green, white, yellow, purple, red, and black. Sometimes, multiple colors intertwine on the same piece of jade, creating a unique "qiaose" (clever color) effect. This naturally formed splendor provides endless creative space for jade carvers. The famous Qing Dynasty scholar Weng Fanggang once praised Dushan Jade, saying, "Its colors are numerous and its texture is moist, comparable to Hetian Jade."
Historically, Dushan Jade was not only used for practical objects and ornaments but also for ritual vessels and sacrificial items. During the Shang and Zhou dynasties, Dushan Jade was widely used to make various ritual vessels, such as jade bi, jade cong, and jade gui, which were important mediums for communicating with heaven and earth and offering sacrifices to ancestors. A large number of exquisite jade artifacts unearthed from the famous Yin Ruins Fu Hao Tomb, many of which were Dushan jade products, demonstrated the majesty and wealth of the Shang Dynasty royalty with their unique texture and superb craftsmanship. During the Western Han Dynasty, the mining and utilization of Dushan Jade reached a new peak. Nanyang, as an important prefecture at that time, saw the jade carving techniques of Dushan Jade mature. Han Dynasty jade artifacts are known for their majestic, grand, and smoothly flowing lines, and Dushan Jade played an important role in them.
The cultural significance of Dushan Jade extends far beyond this. It is not merely a beautiful stone but also a carrier of the Chinese nation's philosophy of "comparing jade to virtue." Ancient people believed that jade possessed five virtues: benevolence, righteousness, wisdom, courage, and integrity. Wearing, appreciating, and playing with jade were all ways of cultivating oneself and pursuing noble character. The gentle and restrained, yet tough and unyielding nature of Dushan Jade perfectly aligns with the qualities of a gentleman in Confucian thought. It witnessed the germination, development, and prosperity of Chinese civilization and is a microcosm of the Chinese nation's aesthetic taste and philosophical thought.
In modern times, the mining and utilization of Dushan Jade continue. Nanyang Dushan Jade Carving has been listed as a national intangible cultural heritage. Dushan jade carvers uphold tradition while constantly innovating, combining ancient jade culture with modern aesthetics to create one stunning artwork after another. From exquisite ornaments to wearable accessories, Dushan Jade continues to adorn modern life with its unique charm, inheriting the aesthetic genes of the Chinese nation. However, with the increasing scarcity of resources, the protection and sustainable development of Dushan Jade have also become important issues we face. How to balance mining and protection, and how to innovate while preserving tradition, are questions that need to be deeply considered for the future development of Dushan Jade culture. Dushan Jade, this treasure of the Central Plains, will continue to tell the endless story of the Chinese nation in its unique posture, connecting ancient and modern, and carrying our eternal pursuit of beauty.