What Are the Important Steps to Identify an Ancient Jade Artwork?Episode 3: Design

In the last two episodes, we explored the material and stain/patina, both of which are essential aspects of identifying ancient jade pieces. These elements belong to what can be called the "nurture" category—focusing on jade's material and the changes it undergoes due to time and environment. Today, we will delve into the other critical category: design—the "creation" side of ancient jade.

Why Did Ancient People Design Jade?

Ancient jade artifacts are not just representations of nature; they embody the creativity and cultural achievements of our ancestors. The designs carved onto jade are tangible manifestations of their values, beliefs, and aspirations. These intricate patterns and forms served as mediums to bridge the human and divine realms, enabling people to communicate with gods and seek protection. Design was the spiritual essence of jade, enhancing its sacred purpose.

Where Do Original Designs Come From?

Human creations are inspired by nature. In the earliest times, people mimicked the natural world to form designs. Over millennia, this origin was often forgotten, and the symbolism of these designs became deeply rooted in cultural traditions.

Take the jade Bi disc, one of the oldest and most enduring jade forms. A Bi disc is a round piece of jade with a central hole. According to the 2,000-year-old Chinese text Zhoubi Suanjing (周髀算经), these discs symbolized the heavens. The book describes celestial movements in circular patterns, reinforcing the association between the round shape of the Bi disc and the sky.

However, jade Bi discs date back even earlier—some 5,000 to 7,000 years ago in Hongshan and Liangzhu cultures. These ancient cultures likely did not possess the same astronomical knowledge recorded in Zhoubi Suanjing. Instead, their designs reflected their direct observations of nature. The round shape of the Sun and Moon, essential for survival, likely inspired them to create circular jade objects.

The Meaning of the Central Hole

While the circular shape of a Bi disc reflects the Sun or Moon, the central hole has a deeper, more symbolic purpose. Ancient people viewed this hole as a channel for light to pass through—symbolizing a bridge between the human and divine realms.

For example, in prayer rituals, the Sun or Moon's light was believed to pass through the hole, carrying the Earth’s power embedded in the jade to reach the gods. Similarly, ancestors were thought to send protective energy—Qi—through the light and jade to their descendants.

This belief also explains the large holes found in Hongshan jade artifacts, such as jade birds or animal figures. These holes often seem impractical for functional use but hold profound spiritual meaning. Creating such holes, especially on delicate jade, required immense effort and skill, further emphasizing their importance.

Critical Inquiry: Uncovering Ancient Secrets

When examining ancient jade designs, always ask why. Why were these shapes and patterns created? What purpose did they serve? For instance:

• Why is the Bi disc round, and why does it have a central hole?

• How do we reconcile explanations from later historical texts, like Zhoubi Suanjing, with the practices of much earlier cultures?

Prominent scholars have offered different theories. Deng Shuping, a former curator at the National Palace Museum in Taiwan, linked the round shape to celestial movements recorded in Zhoubi Suanjing. However, this explanation is difficult to reconcile with the vastly earlier Hongshan and Liangzhu periods. Scholar Hayashi Minao proposed that the Bi disc mimicked the Sun and Moon, a simpler yet plausible interpretation.

Through critical inquiry, I arrived at a broader conclusion: the designs on jade reflect humanity's effort to connect with nature and the divine. They symbolize not only natural forms but also humanity's enduring quest to understand and harmonize with the universe.

I found a well-made video on YouTube that compiles all the knowledge we currently have about the Bi disc. While it presents the historical and cultural context thoroughly, it does not raise critical questions about why ancient people used this round-shaped jade to honor the heavens or explore the deeper meaning of the central hole. Nonetheless, it’s an excellent resource, and I recommend watching it. Here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccFOnY6JRh0

Conclusion

The design of ancient jade is much more than decoration—it is a gateway to understanding the beliefs, creativity, and spiritual practices of our ancestors. Questioning conventional interpretations and seeking deeper meanings are essential steps in unveiling the secrets of these artifacts.

In the next episode, we will explore craftsmanship, another critical factor in identifying ancient jade. Stay tuned!