Jade

According to archeologists and archeological findings, Chinese first began to know and use jade in the early Neolithic Age. Many jade artifacts, some dating back 4,000 to 6,000 years, have been excavated from a number of places. The jade had been used for many purposes, not only decorative. Up until the Shang and Zhou dynasties, jade was fashioned into tools, weapons, daily utensils, accessories and ritual utensils. As commodity exchange expanded, jade also became used as currency. For thousands of years up to the present day, jade has been a symbol of love and virtue, as well as a symbol of status.

In the Zhou Dynasty, the use of jade was first regulated in Zhouli, or the Rites of the Zhou, which was the 'constitution' of the Zhou Dynasty, and addressed matters such as politics, economics, military affairs, diplomacy and law. Together with two other classic texts, the Yili (or Rites) and subsequently, Liji (Book of Rites), national rites and etiquette and guiding philosophy were strictly stipulated. In the Zhouli alone, there were dozens of articles concerned with the use and function of jade during different occasions such as politics, sacrifices, alliances, and military activities, etc. According to the three classics, a special ministry should be set up to manage jade use. It was stipulated that six jade ritual items should be made in order to offer sacrifice to heaven, the earth, the east, the south, the west and the north. There were also strict regulations concerning the six jade tablets that were used by emperors, dukes, marquises, earls, viscounts and barons, respectively. According to the functions listed in the three classics, Jade ware could be divided into the following categories - ritual utensils, funerary utensils, accessories, currency, weapons, diplomatic gifts, musical instruments and food. Simple carving, careful handling and keeping separate private and public ritual vessels, were some of the basic rules to follow in the use of jade.

Because the ancient Chinese believed that jade was the essence of Heaven and the Earth, they carved jade into birds and beasts to use as items of worship. In witchcraft, jade began to be applied as a percussion instrument, since it made a sound pleasing to the ear, and the noise traveled far. After the adoption of musical scales, jade became used for musical instruments. The ancients apparently associated jade with heroes who made great contributions to China, including, Emperor Yan, the 'God of Farming', and Emperor Huang who first united China.

Jade was also a symbol of power. In ancient times, only aristocrats could own items of jade. The imperial seal of the Qin Dynasty, the first feudal society in China, was made of jade. This seal was later sought by feudal lords in order to prove they were the true 'Heavenly Sons'.

Furthermore, more noble attributes were given to jade, making it a standard of morality. Confucius concluded that jade had 11 virtues, including benevolence, fidelity, polite etiquette, wisdom and sincerity. Hence, jade was not only a decoration, but also a symbol of ethics and customary behaviour. People then adopted the fashion of wearing jade accessories. It was said that a gentleman would never leave his jade ornaments.

Jade was believed capable of representing Heaven, the Earth, the east, the west, the south and the north and emperors. It was considered to function as a messenger between Heaven and mankind. In the ancient times, 'yu', the Chinese character meaning jade, was the same as 'wang' or king. The three horizontal strokes stringed by a central vertical stroke represented Heaven, the Earth and mankind respectively. Hence 'yu', is always used in Chinese to call something precious, and jade has always been treasured in China as the royal gemstone.

Chinese people also believed that jade had supernatural power. Using jade wares and jade ornaments could resist the intrusion of evil influences and avoid evil apparitions, thus securing safety and auspiciousness.

Although it sounds strange, some people, mostly Taoists, believed that jade was edible, and could keep one physically immortal.

Precious stones such as jade played a significant role in the development and spread of religions in China. Since the beliefs the ancients bestowed on jade are, in many respects in accordance with religious beliefs, jade is closely associated with religion. In Buddhism, the 'Pure Land' is composed of gold, silver, agate, coral, amber and gray jade. Thus, Chinese Buddhism emphasizes the collection and use of various precious stones. In the Famen Temple in Shaanxi province, near Xi'an, of the four Buddhist Relics discovered, one had been placed in a custom-made jade coffin. The Buddhas and Buddhist musical instruments in the Potala Palace and the Ta'er Lamasery are mostly decorated with lazuli, turquoise, agate, gray jade and white jade. Up until the Tang Dynasty, Buddhism reached its peak, and there was an upsurge in the use of jade carvings concerned with Buddhism, such as Amitabha, Kwan-yin, prayer beads. These were used as amulets to protect people from disease and evil, and act as 'agents' to carry the wearers' emotions, expectations and beliefs to Buddha. Jade has similar functions in Taoism.