Hey sisters! 👋 I'm your appraisal expert, Sayu, and today I want to talk about a super profound topic – the historical origins of jade culture. 💎 Every time I pick up an old piece of jade, I can't help but imagine how many years it has experienced and how many stories it has witnessed. ✨ This charm of traveling through time is precisely the most fascinating aspect of jade culture!

I. The Budding in the Primordial Era: The 'Beautiful Stone' Complex of the Stone Age

Don't think that jade culture only emerged later! As early as the Neolithic Age, our ancestors had already begun to interact with jade. Archaeological discoveries tell us that in the Xinglongwa culture site, dating back about 8,000 years, the earliest jade artifacts discovered in China – jade jue and jade bi – were unearthed. This is much earlier than we imagined! 😮

At that time, jade was not used to show off wealth, but more as tools and ornaments. But more importantly, it was endowed with some mysterious power. For example, the jade cong of the Liangzhu culture, carved with patterns of human-animal faces, was not just simple patterns, but an important medium for ancient people to communicate with heaven and earth and worship gods. It can be said that jade was closely linked with belief and power from the very beginning.

II. The Pinnacle of Ritualization: The Glory of the Zhou Dynasty's 'Jade as Ritual'

If the Neolithic Age was the budding of jade culture, then the Zhou Dynasty was the key period for its maturity and glory. Duke of Zhou established rituals and music, fully incorporating jade into the ritual system, and put forward the idea of 'jade as ritual'. Do you remember the 'Six Rui' and 'Six Vessels' recorded in the 'Rites of Zhou'? The Son of Heaven used the great gui, dukes used the huan gui, marquises used the xin gui, counts used the gong gui, viscounts used the gu bi, and barons used the pu bi. These jade artifacts of different shapes and grades strictly distinguished the identity and status of the nobility. 📜

I once saw a Western Zhou jade bi in a museum. Although it has gone through thousands of years, that solemn and respectful atmosphere still strikes me. It is not just a beautiful piece of jade, but a silent history, telling the strict hierarchical system of that era and people's pursuit of order. This way of perfectly combining material with spirit, aesthetics with ethics, laid the core values of Chinese jade culture.

III. Secularization and Evolution: The Diverse Development of Han, Tang, Song, and Yuan Dynasties

By the Han Dynasty, the use of jade became even more widespread. In addition to ritual jade, funerary jade reached its peak, such as the famous gold-thread jade suits and silver-thread jade suits. This reflects the unique understanding of life and eternity by the Han people. Jade cicadas, jade pigs, and other burial objects embodied people's beautiful wishes for the resurrection of the dead and the immortality of the soul. Personally, I feel that Han Dynasty jade artifacts have a grand and magnificent beauty, with smooth lines and full shapes, full of the confidence and power of that era. 💪

During the Tang and Song dynasties, jade artifacts gradually entered ordinary households (of course, wealthy ones 😂). Wearing jade, playing with jade, and decorating with jade became popular, and the themes of jade artifacts became richer, including flowers, birds, fish, insects, and human stories, full of life. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, jade carving craftsmanship reached its peak, with Suzhou and Yangzhou becoming centers of jade carving, and various exquisite jade artifacts emerging one after another. From Emperor Qianlong's obsession with jade to the folk's love for jade, jade has penetrated all aspects of social life.

IV. Modern Inheritance and Rebirth: The Future of Jade Culture

In modern times, jade culture is still full of vitality. Although we no longer use jade to worship heaven and earth, nor do we use it to distinguish social status, jade is still an indispensable part of our lives. It carries beautiful meanings, is a spiritual sustenance, a symbol of identity, and an embodiment of the aesthetic taste of the Chinese nation. 💖

I have seen many young friends who are no longer confined to traditional jade styles, but combine jade with modern design to create works that have both traditional charm and a sense of fashion. This makes me very happy! Jade culture is not static; it is constantly absorbing, integrating, and innovating. This is the secret of its ability to endure for thousands of years.

Tips: How to Experience the Historical Charm of Jade?

  • Visit museums more often: Museums are the most intuitive way to understand the history of jade. See those ancient jades with your own eyes and feel their vicissitudes and beauty.

  • Read professional books: Recommended books include 'Complete Collection of Chinese Jade' and 'The Jade Road' to gain a deeper understanding of archaeological discoveries and cultural connotations of jade.

  • Communicate with jade friends: Discuss and share experiences with like-minded friends, and you will find more fun.


I hope today's sharing can give everyone a deeper understanding of the historical origins of jade culture. Jade is not just a stone; it carries the wisdom, emotions, and beliefs of the Chinese nation. Let's protect and inherit this precious cultural heritage together! Love you all! 😘

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