What Is Jadeology (玉學)? Episode 6.

Jadeology is an 'ology,' a systematic study that explores the religious beliefs, political power, aesthetics, theology, rituals, ethics, and societal structures embedded in jade. It unveils ancient cultural history through the lens of jade.

Jade culture flourished uniquely in China, serving as the 'DNA' of Chinese civilization. No other country has cherished jade as deeply as the Chinese, making jadeology a distinctly Chinese discipline.

However, ancient jade serves not only as a record of Chinese culture but also as a mirror reflecting cultural exchanges from Neolithic times. Ancient jade offers evidence of how different cultures influenced each other, revealing that early people traveled farther and interacted more frequently than we might imagine. Jadeology provides first-hand evidence of these exchanges, enriching our understanding not only of China's cultural formation but also of the interconnectedness of ancient civilizations worldwide

Why Can Ancient Jade Reveal Ancient Civilizations?

Ancient jade not only reveals civilizations but is also the best material for understanding them. Jade served as a medium between humans and the divine. This practice can be traced back 7,000–8,000 years to the Xinglongwa Culture, the precursor to the Hongshan Culture.

Carving jade is a meticulous process. Ancient craftsmen used basic tools like sand and water to shape designs that they believed could reach the gods for protection. Once completed, a jade piece could not be altered, making it a timeless record of the beliefs and values of that era. Unlike daily-use items like pottery, jade provides a more vivid and direct picture of ancient civilizations.

Who First Coined the Term "Jadeology"?

The term jadeology (玉學) has existed among Chinese collectors and scholars for generations. However, Yang Boda, a prominent scholar from the Beijing Palace Museum, was the first to put it into writing.

Yang argued that jadeology should be the core study of Chinese ancient culture, revealing insights about past civilizations. He called it a dream for scholars and collectors but acknowledged significant barriers to its development, including social factors and the lack of a systematic approach. Yang’s foundational paper on jadeology was published decades ago, yet progress in this field has been limited.

Why Has Jadeology Been Delayed Until Now?

Yang Boda, a leading figure in ancient jade studies, had access to extensive museum collections and the unprecedented archaeological developments of the last 40 years. Despite publishing many influential books, including a comprehensive set covering jade from the Neolithic to the Qing Dynasty, Yang lamented the absence of a "standard jade example" to establish jadeology.

In truth, the issue was not the lack of jade artifacts but the absence of philosophical frameworks necessary to build a systematic body of knowledge. While Yang was skilled in identifying jade, he lacked the philosophical courage and concepts needed to develop a scientific system for jade identification.

Why Do Chinese Scholars Lack Philosophical Foundations?

China’s educational system has historically not emphasized philosophy. Even with a top-tier education, I had no exposure to philosophical thinking. Yang Boda, from an earlier generation shaped by the Cultural Revolution, likely had even fewer opportunities to engage with philosophy.

If we trace back 2,500 years to the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, none of the Chinese philosophers, like Confucius (孔子) and Laozi (老子) focused on how to systematically build knowledge. This lack of foundational philosophical inquiry has hindered the development of disciplines like jadeology, as well as broader fields of knowledge, with the notable exceptions of herbal medicine and acupuncture.

Yang Boda's Proposal and Its Limitations

Yang suggested that jadeology be built on:

1. Ancient Character Studies(古文字）: Analyzing inscriptions on jade, oracle bones (甲骨文), and bronze artifacts.

2. Document Analysis（古文獻）: Examining ancient texts from the pre-Qin period.

3. Modern Scientific Methods: Testing jade’s physical and chemical properties, including its composition, weight, hardness, and internal structure.

While well-intentioned, this approach has two critical flaws:

1. Limited Insights from Ancient Texts Studying ancient characters and documents has reached its limits. Existing texts provide scant information about jade’s names and functions. Scholars like Hayashi Minao and Li Xueqin did exceptional work matching archaeological jade findings with textual records, but further progress has been minimal. Instead, jadeology should begin with direct study of jade itself, allowing artifacts to enrich our understanding of ancient culture and texts, not the other way around.

2. Overreliance on Physical and Chemical Testing Yang’s emphasis on scientific methods reflects a common misunderstanding: equating modern science solely with physical and chemical analysis. While these methods have value, they are insufficient for comprehensively studying jade. The deeper issue is a lack of understanding of the ancient Greek philosophical foundations that underpin modern science.

Why Can’t Jadeology Be Built Solely by Chinese Scholars?

Although jadeology is inherently Chinese, its development requires a philosophical foundation that China lacks. Ancient Greek philosophy, which forms the basis of modern science, teaches how to systematically build knowledge. Without this foundation, Chinese scholars have struggled to create a framework for jadeology despite their profound cultural connection to jade.

A New Path Forward

Jadeology must begin by directly studying jade artifacts, guided by a philosophical understanding of how knowledge is constructed. This approach will unlock jade’s potential to reveal ancient civilizations and fulfill the dream of generations of scholars.

Stay tuned for the next episode as we delve deeper into how jadeology can redefine our understanding of history and culture.