Jade Culture
Explore the history, artistry and wisdom of jade.
Mind holds world, no regret life.
To have the world in mind, and live a life without regret.
Gold born beautiful waters, jade from Kunlun peaks.
A classical saying: Gold comes from beautiful rivers; the finest jade comes from the Kunlun Mountains.
Jade virtue's wisdom, meticulous thinks.
The virtue of Wisdom: jade is dense and fine-textured, symbolizing meticulous and careful thought.
Jade must have work, work must have pattern.
True jade art requires carving, and carving must incorporate meaningful patterns.
Song inherits Tang, simplicity esteemed.
The Song dynasty inherited the Tang style but highly valued simplicity, elegance, and naturalism.
Jade Road, exchange prosperous.
The ancient "Jade Road" facilitated vibrant cultural and commercial exchange.
Revere heaven fear earth, connect spirits offer jade.
Ancient people revered nature; jade was used as a sacred medium to communicate with spirits in rituals.
Han has eight cuts, sparse sharp.
The "Eight-Cut" style of Han dynasty, especially in burial jades, was characterized by sparse, sharp, and powerful strokes.
National rejuvenation, jointly build homeland.
This symbolized national rejuvenation and the collective building of a homeland.
Jade only national treasure, white jade only emperor.
Jade is a national treasure; white jade, in particular, was historically reserved for the emperor.
Vast Kunlun, jade mining path hard.
The Kunlun mountain range is vast and treacherous, making the journey to mine jade extremely difficult.
Fat soft smooth luster, warm gentle soft light.
It has a soft, smooth, oily luster that emits a warm and gentle glow.
Jade enters folk, pray blessings accept fortune.
Jade use became more widespread among common people for blessings and good fortune.
Northern charm, heroic spirit echoes.
It reflected a northern aesthetic, full of heroic and expansive spirit.
Confucian ritual music, use jade compare virtue.
In Confucian ritual and musical culture, jade is used as a metaphor for virtue.
Universe's gift, life limitless.
Jade is seen as a cosmic gift, symbolizing the limitless potential and endurance of life.
Huangshan ruins, jade workshop millennia.
The Huangshan archaeological site reveals jade workshops dating back thousands of years.
Comparable mountain radiance, surpass river charm.
Its radiance rivals the glory of mountains, and surpasses the charm of flowing rivers.
Jade comprehends true self, Daoist concept.
Jade embodies the Daoist concept of understanding and returning to one's original, true nature.
Auspicious jade heaven-made, categories brilliant.
Auspicious jade is naturally formed, with many brilliant and glorious varieties.
Condense soul born radiance, stunning magnificent chapter.
It condenses a soul within that radiates brilliance, composing stunningly beautiful chapters (in culture).
River gravel rough jade, polished into fine jade.
Rough jade pebbles in riverbeds are polished smooth by water over time, becoming fine jade.
Jade virtue's purity, quality pure uphold right.
The virtue of Purity: jade is pure in quality, symbolizing upholding correctness and integrity.
Ritual obey clan law, form system solemn.
They adhered to ritual codes and clan laws, with solemn and formalized shapes.
Virtue governs world, family nation prospers.
Governing the world with virtue brings prosperity to family and nation.
Jade nurtures civilization, shines upon all nations.
Jade nurtured civilization, and its light shines upon all nations.
Western Zhou jades, set rules establish standards.
Western Zhou dynasty jades established strict ritual rules, forms, and hierarchical standards.
Warm smooth tough, gold silver not exchange.
It is warm, smooth to the touch, yet incredibly tough, considered more valuable than gold or silver.
Bian He holds uncut jade, return jade intact to Zhao.
Two famous historical stories about jade: "Bian He's Jade" (recognizing unpolished treasure) and "Returning the Jade to Zhao" (preserving a national treasure).
Jade character expresses meaning, all is beauty.
The Chinese character "玉" (jade) itself, when used in other characters, often conveys meanings related to beauty and value.
Silk Road long, Jade Road precedes.
The famous Silk Road was preceded by the even older trade route known as the "Jade Road."
Mountain jade material, edges sharp.
Jade mined from high mountains typically has sharp edges and an angular form.
Xia Shang raised carving, form spirit both wonderful.
Raised-relief carving in the Xia and Shang dynasties achieved excellence in both form and spirit.
Mind holds world, no regret life.
To have the world in mind, and live a life without regret.
Wear the Story