In the primordial era of Chinese civilization, heaven and earth were chaotic, and all things were just beginning. However, a sudden catastrophe shattered this tranquility. Gonggong, in a fit of rage, struck Buzhou Mountain, causing the pillars of heaven to break, the earth's foundation to crack, the sky to collapse, and floods to rage, devastating all living beings. At that time, a compassionate and great goddess, Nüwa, stepped forward with her supreme divine power to save humanity from the deluge. She refined five-colored stones to mend the sky, cut off the feet of a giant turtle to support the four cardinal directions, slew a black dragon to save Jizhou, and piled up reeds and ashes to stop the floodwaters. This is the enduring myth of "Nüwa Mending the Sky," and deep within this myth, jade, as the essence condensed from heaven and earth, played a crucial role.
The Origin of the Myth and the Symbolism of Jade
“Nüwa Mending the Sky” first appeared in the “Lan Ming Xun” chapter of Huainanzi: “In ancient times, the four cardinal points collapsed, the nine provinces cracked, the sky could not fully cover, and the earth could not fully bear. Fire raged without extinguishing, and water surged without ceasing. Fierce beasts devoured the common people, and predatory birds snatched the old and weak. Thereupon, Nüwa refined five-colored stones to mend the sky, cut off the feet of a giant turtle to establish the four cardinal points, slew a black dragon to save Jizhou, and piled up reeds and ashes to stop the floodwaters.” These “five-colored stones,” in later interpretations, are often understood to embody the meaning of jade. Jade has long been regarded as the essence of heaven and earth, the brilliance of the sun and moon. Its warm, tough, and restrained qualities perfectly align with the perseverance, selflessness, and creative spirit demonstrated by Nüwa in mending the sky.
From archaeological discoveries, a large number of exquisite jade artifacts have been found in late Neolithic cultures such as the Hongshan and Liangzhu cultures. These jade artifacts were not merely ornaments but also important mediums for communicating with heaven and earth and offering sacrifices to deities. For example, the jade dragons and jade pig-dragons of the Hongshan culture, and the jade cong and jade bi of the Liangzhu culture, with their ancient forms and mysterious patterns, all reveal the reverence and worship of nature and deities by early peoples. The cosmic and life views embodied in these early jade artifacts have an intrinsic connection with the creation spirit manifested in Nüwa mending the sky. The five-colored stones might well be the concrete expression of early peoples attributing the most precious and spiritual material they could access—jade—to the myth.
The Cultural Significance of Jade: From Myth to Secular Life
The myth of Nüwa mending the sky not only bestowed a sacred origin upon jade but also profoundly influenced the Chinese nation's understanding and use of jade. Jade was no longer just a beautiful stone; it was endowed with the virtues of a gentleman, such as benevolence, righteousness, wisdom, courage, and integrity. Confucius once said, “A gentleman compares his virtue to jade.” The “Pin Yi” chapter of Liji (Book of Rites) also elaborates on the eleven virtues of jade. This concept of “jade virtue” elevated jade beyond the material level, making it a symbol of the spiritual character of the Chinese nation.
In ancient times, jade was a symbol of power and status. Emperors wore jade, feudal lords wore jade, and scholar-officials wore jade. From the “ritual jade” system of the Zhou Dynasty to the “jade burial suits” of the Han Dynasty, jade consistently permeated all levels of ancient Chinese society. It was not only a ritual object for sacrifices but also an identifier of status and a carrier of morality. The “five-colored stones” used by Nüwa to mend the sky, with their vibrant colors, symbolized the diversity and harmonious unity of all things in heaven and earth. This aligns perfectly with the traditional Chinese cultural ideas of “unity of heaven and humanity” and “yin and yang and the five elements.” Different colors of jade were endowed with different symbolic meanings, such as white jade symbolizing purity, green jade symbolizing vitality, yellow jade symbolizing nobility, and black jade symbolizing solemnity.
Modern Inheritance: The Vitality of Jade Culture
To this day, the myth of Nüwa mending the sky continues to circulate throughout China, and jade culture still thrives with vigorous vitality. The art of jade carving continues to develop and innovate, from traditional vessels and ornaments to modern jewelry design, jade attracts people with its unique charm. Contemporary jade enthusiasts, while appreciating the beauty of jade, also often trace its profound cultural connotations. A piece of warm Hetian jade, a piece of crystalline jadeite, is not just a symbol of wealth, but also an affirmation of traditional culture and a pursuit of noble virtues.
In modern society, we can still feel the resilience and hope embodied in Nüwa mending the sky through jade. The formation of jade requires a long period of time and geological processes; its hard texture and warm luster seem to tell a story of enduring hardships to finally achieve greatness. This is remarkably similar to Nüwa's spirit of resolutely mending the sky in the face of overwhelming disaster. Every piece of jade carries the memory of the earth and the human longing for a beautiful world. Nüwa mending the sky is a myth, but more importantly, it is a symbol of the indomitable and ever-flowing spirit of the Chinese nation, and jade is the material carrier of this spirit, shining brightly and never fading in the long river of history.