In the vast river of Chinese jade culture, jadeite, with its unique charm, reached an unprecedented peak during the Qing Dynasty. And in this glorious history, one name is closely linked with jadeite: Empress Dowager Cixi, the de facto ruler of the late Qing Dynasty. Her obsession with jadeite not only shaped the aesthetic trends of the Qing court but also propelled this exotic “king of hard jade” to the pinnacle of Chinese jade culture, creating an immortal green legend.
The story begins in the Qianlong era. At that time, the mining of Burmese jade became increasingly mature, and a large number of high-quality jadeite roughs poured into China. However, it was Empress Dowager Cixi who truly brought jadeite to prominence and made it a new favorite of the imperial family. According to historical records, Empress Dowager Cixi's love for jadeite was almost unparalleled. She owned countless exquisite jadeite ornaments, from jadeite hairpins on her head and jadeite earrings by her ears to jadeite rings on her fingers and jadeite bracelets on her wrists, all of which were exquisitely crafted. Even everyday utensils, such as jadeite cups and bowls, and even jadeite cigarette holders and nail guards in her sleeping quarters, were extremely luxurious and astonishing.
Among the most famous are the “twisted bracelets” and the “jadeite watermelons.” The “twisted bracelets” are said to be one of Cixi's most cherished jadeites, exquisitely carved, warm, and translucent, representing the ultimate in jadeite craftsmanship. The “jadeite watermelons” are even more legendary. These two watermelons, carved from two huge pieces of jadeite, have vibrant green rinds, bright red flesh, and distinct seeds, so lifelike that they are truly masterpieces of art. It is said that they were placed in Cixi's sleeping quarters, constantly emitting a cool aura, serving as Cixi's unique way to beat the summer heat. These treasures not only showcased Cixi's supreme power and wealth but also reflected her deep understanding and ultimate pursuit of jadeite's material, color, and luster.
Cixi's affection for jadeite was not merely on a material level. In traditional culture, jade is endowed with the virtues of a gentleman and auspicious meanings. Jadeite, with its unique “hardness,” “toughness,” and “emerald color,” was even more regarded as the “essence of heaven and earth” and a “symbol of life.” Cixi regarded jadeite as a symbol of power, status, and longevity, which coincided with her desire to wield power forever and live a long life. She firmly believed that jadeite could bring good luck and ensure peace and prosperity for the nation. Even after her death, the “night-shining pearl” (actually a large piece of jadeite) in her mouth and the jadeite carvings beneath her body embodied her hopes for the afterlife and her pursuit of eternity. This phenomenon of deeply integrating personal emotions with national destiny, and jade culture with imperial politics, is extremely rare in the history of jade culture.
Cixi's promotion of jadeite also greatly advanced the development of jade carving techniques. The Imperial Household Department gathered the nation's top jade carvers, who continuously innovated to meet Cixi's demands, pushing jadeite carving and inlay techniques to new heights. From traditional relief carving and round carving to clever use of contrasting colors and openwork, every jadeite piece embodied the wisdom and painstaking effort of the artisans. These exquisite techniques were not only an accumulation of material wealth but also a concentrated expression of the Chinese nation's aesthetic taste and craftsmanship.
Even today, the story of Cixi and jadeite continues to circulate. Those jadeite treasures once hidden in the palace are now either collected by museums or cherished by private collectors. They silently tell the story of that turbulent era and bear witness to jadeite's unique position in Chinese jade culture. From Cixi's jadeite complex, we not only see the extravagance and power of a ruler but also touch upon the reverence and love for jade in traditional Chinese culture, and how this love was pushed to the extreme through the preference of a historical figure, ultimately becoming an indispensable part of Chinese civilization. Jadeite, therefore, is no longer just a mineral; it has been endowed with historical weight and cultural depth, becoming a green totem that connects the past and the present, carrying Eastern aesthetics and spiritual pursuits.