Called the “Stone of Heaven”, jade has a long and storied history within China. Back during the the Shang Dynasty, jade was used by the royals for personal adornment. It also enjoyed frequent use in utilitarian and ceremonial objects (such as grave goods). By the dawn of the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368 and 1644 respectively), jade had become more referential and was primarily used by the imperial court as objets d’art. In terms of personal adornment, jewelery was worn frequently by both sexes as indicators of nobility and wealth. As time progressed however, emphasis shifted from jade pieces as symbols primarily of status to symbols of beautification. Most common, to both sexes was the earring, though other pieces such as tiaras and rings were also well known. Jade amulets were also popular – these often featuring potent symbols such as a dragon, phoenix or a particular Chinese character.
What Makes Jade So Sought After?
Jade is considered by the Chinese to be a powerful source of positive energy (it is said to bring good luck, after all). It comes in many different colors and hues. Best known is the milky green, but it also comes in shades of white, grey, black, yellow, orange and soft violet hues. If Westerners have difficulty measuring jade’s worth, consider this: the Chinese valued jade as highly in the east, as gold and gems were valued in the west. Of jade, Confuscius said, “The wise have likened jade to virtue….Its color represents loyalty; its…flaws,…sincerity; its iridescent brightness represents heaven…Used alone without ornamentation it represents chastity.” In short, from Confucius to the minds of modern Chinese, the versatile and lovely stone is potent and evocative, bringing to mind every esteemed quality possessed by humanity.
