the Stone Age
Compared with the Paleolithic jade, the Neolithic jade in China has been polished and punched, which not only retains its original practical value, but also has beautiful effects. If we say that picking natural stones and treating them with stones means that ancient humans have learned to make and use tools, then polishing and drilling means that the ancient ancestors of China have not only been able to make more advanced tools, but also produced ideological content in their thinking. Although it is still an extremely simple process from today's point of view, our ancestors have actually struggled for it for hundreds of thousands of years. From a historical point of view, this constitutes an epoch-making symbol.
We can imagine that when our ancestors patiently and meticulously polished those crystal clear "beautiful stones", made them into meaningful shapes, drilled a small hole, and even put on their own twisted ropes to hang around their necks or chests, it was a wonderful and moving sight. It shows that the ancients pursued beauty, and that people had faith and sustenance in their hearts. Jade is extremely beautiful, extremely hard and precious, which is naturally associated with the concepts of supreme ancestors, supreme natural forces and supreme ghosts and gods in the thoughts of ancient ancestors. Things like ancient amulets are produced by this natural process. In the process of social development since then, there have been many myths and legends closely related to jade, which shows that in the thinking and imagination of the ancients, a piece of beautiful jade has inexhaustible connection and influence on the world, ancestors, lightning and thunder, and all living things. This is indeed a very important leap. A large number of ancient written records and unearthed cultural relics have proved a historical fact: a piece of jade, a small ornament, the most primitive aesthetic consciousness, the earliest belief and piety have been constantly given new meanings and played new roles, and finally gave birth to the unique jade culture in China.
Jade totem
There was a stage called Jade Totem in the primitive society of China, which shows that the ancestors of the Chinese nation used jade carving products with certain meanings as national symbols, and there are indeed many records in historical documents. As recorded in Shao Hao, Volume I of Notes, when Huang E, Shao Hao's mother, was a girl, she roamed the vast sea by raft during the day. One day, she came to the barren mulberry garden in the West Sea, where she planted a tree named Solitary Mulberry, which was as high as Chihiro. Eating the fruit of this tree will make her live forever. There, she met the prodigy "the son of Bai Di", that is, "the essence of Taibai". She and the boy are playing at sea on a raft. They used the trunk of osmanthus tree as a flagpole, tied Dong to the pole as a flag, carved jade into the shape of a pigeon and bird, and decorated it on the top of the flagpole, that is, "carved jade into a dove and placed it on the surface". Later, the oriole gave birth to Shao Hao, named "Poor Sang's" or "Phoenix Bird's". In addition, there are Yuan Bird, Jade Bird, Dan Bird, Zane Zhu, Ming Pigeon and Stork Pigeon, which is the best embodiment of Jade Bird as a totem.
Jade was the most widely used substance at that time and was regarded as the essence of heaven and earth, which was both beautiful and practical. Therefore, in ancient times, ancestors carved jade carvings into birds and animals as totem worship, and around the totem symbol, some primitive public activities, such as witchcraft etiquette activities including original music and original songs and dances, were also produced, which reflected that jade totem is an ancient culture and ideology-jade culture in its infancy.
Future heroes
There are many fairy tales about ancient heroes in China. These people have made great contributions to the development of primitive society in China. Many fairy tales also incorporate jade when describing these great figures. For example, it is said that Emperor Yan once said, "A jade with a stone of phosphorus can be cast into the water for several days and nights, but it cannot float down". In fact, this is a phosphorescent effect, but the ancients associated this natural phenomenon with the sage of Shennong in Yan Di. It seems that heaven and earth have been felt by sages of saints, so jade shows its spirit. Legend has it that Xuanyuan Huangdi first unified China and established a system of laws and regulations. China people are still proud to be descendants of the Chinese people. "Xuanyuan Huangdi" records that he once "ordered hundreds of princes to receive moral education, first listed Lanpu Guiyu, served on the table to burn the fragrance of Shen Yu, mixed treasures as crumbs, and used the glue of Shen Yu as mud to wipe the ground, respectively respecting the position of Huarong." This shows that the Guiyu system was established in the era of the Yellow Emperor. Tang Yao is a master of sages. It is said that he got a jade plate engraved with the shape of heaven and earth, which shows that Tang Yao's outstanding achievements are related to the influence of God's will and knowledge on his jade plate. Yu Xia's success in water control is due to his "snake god". These descriptions closely link the deification of jade with the heroes of lineage, and strongly show the fanatical religious sentiment of the ancients towards jade.
literature and art
Witchcraft is an important form of ancient human social activities, such as offering sacrifices to heaven and ancestors. Zhou Li Chun Guan Zombo III said, "If there is a drought in the country, wizards will dance." Prove that the general form of witchcraft activities is that wizards lead a group of people to sing, dance and knock on the door. However, historical records and analysis show that it was jade that was hit. The book Shangshu Shundian says that "stone-throwing strikes, all animals dance together", which describes the scene of ancient people's witchcraft activities, that is, hitting jade makes a rhythmic sound, and people imitate the movements of all animals and begin to dance enthusiastically. Jade was the best material for making musical instruments at that time, and the ancients used this characteristic as the standard to measure jade, and "its sound is soothing, and its wisdom can only be known from a distance." Primitive song and dance and witchcraft etiquette activities were still mixed together in primitive society, but in class society, they began to split into two parts and developed into two independent parts of the social superstructure. Primitive song and dance evolved into "music" and witchcraft etiquette evolved into "ceremony". One is literature and art, the other is administrative regulations. Jade became one of the beginnings of ancient culture in China from participating in singing and dancing and witchcraft etiquette activities.
Second, what is the moral of jade?
China people are most concerned about "morality", especially in some ceremonies, festivals, folk activities and treasures. There is an old saying in the jade industry that "jade must have work, work must be intentional, and meaning must be auspicious", which means that every kind of jade has its ingenuity and unique cultural connotation. Jade itself is an auspicious thing, and a long life without borders means wealth and good luck. Jade represents wishful thinking, auspiciousness, wealth and luxury, and different jade shapes have their own unique meanings.
The auspicious shape of jade usually comes from people's religious beliefs, folklore, homophones and metaphors of animals and plants, and so on. In order to fully understand the figurative meaning of jade modeling, we need to know more about China traditional culture. Generally speaking, the common jade shapes and their meanings are as follows:
1, Buddha Buddha is the most revered god in China. In many places, the pronunciation of Buddha is not fó, but fú, which is homophonic with blessing. Therefore, the Buddha can not only bless peace, but also imply happiness, and is recognized as an auspicious thing in people's hearts. Jade Buddha's modeling is often based on Tathagata, and there are many potbellied Maitreya Buddha's modeling, which means that it is the embodiment of getting rid of troubles-laughing when you open your mouth, laughing at ridiculous people all over the world, big enough to tolerate things that are intolerable in the world.
2. dragons. Dragon is the unique animal worship of the Chinese nation and the embodiment of good luck. It is a symbol of masculinity and great wealth, and together with the phoenix, it means pairing or good luck.
3. Phoenix. Phoenix is also the unique animal worship of the Chinese nation and the embodiment of good luck. Together with the dragon, it means a pair of dragons and phoenixes, symbolizing the queen, and together with the phoenix tree, it means the phoenix with the rising sun.
4. sheep. Triumphant, Sanyang means Sanyang Kaitai.
5. Chrysanthemum. Together with pine trees, it means that pine chrysanthemums will prolong life.
6. clear. It means celebrating.
7.goose. Love the goose. Wang Xizhi was a calligrapher in Jin Dynasty. He learned how to use pens from domestic geese, so he developed a hobby of loving geese. Metaphor is noble and elegant.
8. hey. A blockbuster.
9. Bear. Together with the eagle, it symbolizes heroic fighting spirit.
10, shrimp. Curved and smooth.
1 1, tortoise. Safe turtle or long-lived turtle. Together with cranes, it means that turtles and cranes share the same life. The horned turtle is a long-lived turtle.
12, pig. It means dragon. Herry Liu, the Emperor of the Han Dynasty, means pig and dragon.
13, toad. Toad and money are homophonic, and it is common for toad to have copper coins in his mouth, which means wealth. Together with laurel, it means that the moon will win the laurel. There are usually three-legged toads and four-legged toads.
14 Guanyin. Guanyin's compassion for all sentient beings is the embodiment of saving the suffering.
15, crane. It means prolonging life. The crane is called a bird, which shows that it is the product of the dynasty or the product of promotion. Together with pine trees, it symbolizes the longevity of pine cranes. With deer and phoenix tree, it means that cranes and deer are in the same spring.
16, Ganoderma lucidum. The meaning of longevity.
17, Tathagata. Tathagata is a group of ten thousand buddhas.
18, dharma. There are often shapes such as crossing the Dharma River, crossing the Dharma Sea and facing the Dharma. Nine years of Buddhist practice, there is a saying that "nine years of Buddhist practice, the result is positive, and the wind and fire cross the river." Is the ancestor of Zen in China.
19, Zhong Kui. Promote good and exorcise evil spirits. There is often a pattern of Zhong Kui catching ghosts.
20. monks Two monks symbolize harmony with two immortals or two saints. The cloth bag monk is Maitreya Buddha.
2 1, monster. Together with bats, copper coins and magpies, it means that Fulu is happy and happy.
22. Badger. It means happiness.
23. the lion. It means courage, and two lions mean all the best. A big lion and a little lion mean a great teacher, Shao Shi, which means a high position.
24. Magpie. Two magpies mean double happiness, and together with badger, they mean joy. Being with a leopard represents good news. Magpies and lotus flowers together mean that they are happy.
25, the god of wealth. The meaning of getting rich.
26. Eight Immortals. The Eight Immortals crossed the sea to show their magical powers and celebrate their birthday. The Eight Immortals are Zhang, Han Xiangzi, He Xiangu, Li Tie, Han Zhongli, Cao Guojiu and Lan Caihe. Sometimes, the sacred tools held by the Eight Immortals mean Eight Immortals or Eight Treasures. Eight musical instruments are gourd, fan, fish drum, flower basket, yin and yang board, flute, lotus and sword.
27. orchids Together with osmanthus fragrans, it means that the laurel orchid blooms, that is, excellent offspring.
28. Plum blossoms. Being with magpies means being jubilant. Pine, bamboo and plum together symbolize three old and cold friends.
29. reindeer The meaning of Fulu. Together with the official, it means to increase the official position and accept the contract.
30. Kirin Kirin sends the child. Auspicious animals only appear in peace and prosperity.
3 1，bat。 It means happiness. Five Blessingg's longevity Chinese characters or peaches symbolize Five Blessingg's birthday. Being with copper coins means happiness is in sight. Coupled with sunrise or waves, it means happiness as the East China Sea. Together with Tianguan, it symbolizes God's blessing to the people.
32. hey. It is said that animals are the nine princes of the Dragon King. Its staple food is gold and silver treasures, and it is naturally full of treasures, so it won the favor of the Jade Emperor Dragon King. However, eating too much will cause diarrhea. One day, I couldn't help urinating everywhere, which made the jade emperor very angry. I slapped him, spanked me, and my asshole was sealed. From then on, gold and silver treasures can only go in and out. After the story spread, this animal was regarded as making money. I like sleeping lazily. I'd better pick him up every day, touch him and play with him, as if to wake him up and wealth will follow. According to records, the god beast is a kind of beast, and it is one of the five auspicious animals in ancient times (dragon, phoenix, turtle, unicorn and god beast), which is called lucky beast. The brave was once the totem of two ancient clans. Legend has it that he helped Emperor Yanhuang to fight, and was named "Tianlu Beast", which means a godsend. It is designed for the emperor to protect treasures and is called "treasure". It is also called "exorcism" because it likes to eat wild animals and evil spirits. Ancient China Feng Shui masters believed that the brave were auspicious beasts who turned disasters into blessings. There are 26 shapes and 749 incarnations. It has a big mouth, a big belly, no anus, and only eats and doesn't pull, which symbolizes that it can get money from all directions, but it can only enter but can't go out. At the same time, it can ward off evil spirits and gather wealth for the master. Ancient sages believed that fate was predestined, but it could be changed. Therefore, the people have a good wish of "being brave at the first touch, being brave at the second touch and being brave at the third touch".
33. Elephants. It means good luck or happiness. Together with the bottle, it means peace.
34. parrot. Pairing means happiness and harmony.
35. Shoutao. Longevity blessing.
36, carp. Carp yue longmen. Leading fish means a higher level. With the fisherman, it means that the fisherman benefits.
37. goldfish. It means happiness from now on.
38. beans. Make a fortune in four seasons.
39. gourd. The meaning of Fulu.
40.bergamot. The meaning of longevity.
4 1, mouse Often used with copper coins to indicate counting money.
42. Xiaolong. Legend has it that dragons without horns are also called tigers.
43. Aquarius Or a vase, meaning peace. With quail and ruyi, it is safe and ruyi. Together with the bell, it symbolizes the peace of all beings.
44.lily. Lily and persimmon together symbolize everything goes well.
45. Rooster. Fortunately, I often bring five chickens, which means that the fifth child has entered a subject or taught.
46. Ears of wheat. Peacetime.
47. Lotus. Together with plum blossoms, it means harmony and beauty. Plus carp, it means more than a year. Give birth to your son with osmanthus. A pair of lotus flowers represents unity.
48. bamboo Safe bamboo, abundant bamboo. Bamboo newspaper is safe or rising steadily.
49. Persimmons. Everything goes well.
50. Constellation. *** 12 constellation. Capricorn (65438+February 22nd-65438+1October 19), Aquarius (65438+1October 20th-February 18), Pisces (February/kloc) Gemini (May 2 1-June 21), Cancer (June 22-July 22), Leo (July 23-August 22), Virgo (August 23-September 22), Libra (September 23-65438
5 1, pomegranate. There are hundreds of children under the pomegranate tree, and many children are more blessed.
52. peony Rich peony, together with the bottle, symbolizes wealth and peace.
53. water chestnut It means smart. Being with onions is smart.
54. Egret. It means bon voyage, and being with the lotus is connected all the way.
55. crabs. Rich in the world. Sometimes it is called a beetle.
56. Kites. It means rising to the top or being proud of the spring breeze.
57. monkeys. Coupled with the horse, it means that it will be sealed soon. Seal with seal, which means seal and seal. A big monkey with a little monkey on its back means that it will be sealed for generations.
58. Liu Hai. Together with copper coins or toads, it means that Liu Hai plays with golden toads or fairy children as gifts and treasures.
59. Red apricots. It means Jinshi and.
60.spiders. Satisfaction is an eternal feast.
6 1, persimmon. Everything goes well, everything goes well.
62. Quails.