Connotations and Internal Cultural Meanings of Chinese Jade in Chu Culture at Pre-Qin Period〔*〕

Li Zhongyuan

(School of Fashion　Wuhan Textile University,Wuhan　Hubei　430074)



Connotations and Internal Cultural Meanings of Chinese Jade in Chu Culture at Pre-Qin Period〔*〕

Li Zhongyuan

(School of FashionWuhan Textile University,WuhanHubei430074)

The thesis conducts its analysis from the perspective of cultural characteristics of Chu state of Pre-Qin period in ancient China.The culture of Chu,usually focusing on ceremony sacrifice and several other activities,presents unique characteristics of the development of Chinese society and culture.Actually,the jade artifact at that time shows cultural features both at artistic and spiritual level and bears prominent cultural connotations like national spirit of solemnness and generosity.Chinese jade of Chu state of Pre-Qin period due to its abundant cultural connotations and meanings,poses to be an essential element of traditional Chinese culture,which shows artistic and national features of traditional jade culture and can directly influence development of modern society and culture.

Chu state of Pre-Qin period;cultural characteristics;Chinese jade culture;connotations and meanings

Ⅰ.Jade：the embodiment of the thought of national gem in Chu culture at Pre-Qin period

1.Jade as core element of sacrifice activity in Chu state of Pre-Qin Period can be considered as internal cultural representative

Jade,a gem to the nation.Chinese jade,which owns prominent spiritual connotations in traditional Chinese culture also brings with itself profound national connotations in Chu culture at Pre-Qin period.By exploring cultural connotations of jade artifacts of Chu state in Pre-Qin period,conclusions can be drawn that jade,as an important article for sacrificing use,plays an essential role in traditional Chinese culture and thus is a typical symbol of Chinese nationality as well as a symbol and a pillar to spiritual civilization〔1〕in China.Jade artifacts of Chu state are something of cultural representatives in terms of its internal cultural connotations.

2.Solemness and decency of jade reflects national traits and spirits

In terms of cultural value of jade artifacts of Chu state,the appearance-shaping of jade artifacts is rarely indulged in small things or details,but rather,it often appears to be solemn and decent,which does not only show the national spirits of Chu state at Pre-Qin period,but also implies minds and thoughts of the Chu people.As for culture and art,jade artifacts of Chu state usually are exquisite because of delicate workmanship.The craftsmanship of jade carving,with abundant imagination of the craftsman,endows jade artifacts and decorations with characterization of artistic design.〔2〕This is the deep internal connotation of jade culture of Chu state,which is a straight embodiment of its importance in Chu culture as a whole and can be seen as basic symbol of national spirits of the Chinese people.At the same time,meanings carried by jade also reflect national values in traditional Chinese culture.

3.Sorcery culture and ceremonial culture can find themselves in jade culture of Chu state at Pre-Qin period

Among all sub-cultural forms in Chu culture,the sorcery culture and the ceremonial culture,are essential symbolization of grave state events.Playing a significant role in culture development of Chu state,jade can show noble status of its owner and is granted with special deeply connotations in Pre-Qin period.Majestic sacrificing and ceremonial events usually put jade at a supreme status.Analyzing implications of jade of Chu state,distinctions among profound meanings of different jade pattern can be observed.Generally speaking,Yu Bi (a piece of jade with a hole at its center) is a common thing in sacrifice in Chu.The design concept of Yu Bi comes from a Chinese saying that goes “ while heaven is round,the earth is square”,which implies heaven and gods.Therefore,as for sorcery culture of Chu,its internal cultural connotation mainly presents by its symbolization of heaven and gods.Of almost all big events related to ceremony in Chu,jade is no reason to be absent.Hidden implications of jade can express people’s thoughts and ideas.〔3〕Therefore,jade possesses a special position in ceremonial culture of Chu state and its cultural connotations can reflect people’s mind and spiritual conditions.Both sorcery culture and ceremonial culture can find themselves in jade culture,which unveils jade’s identity as a representative of culture.

Ⅱ.Artistic features of jade identify internal traits and qualities of culture and personalities of the Chu people

1.The pattern of hollowed-out jade artifacts of Chu state presents artistic attainments of the Chu people

In light of artistic patterns of jade artifacts of Chu state,the hollowed-out jade as a representative of jade culture,contains profound cultural connotations.The hollowed-out jade，no matter its delicate carving workmanship or its artistic interior design,show the pursuit for appreciating value of “artistic beauty”.So the artistic value of jade is fully unveiled.What’s more,the hollowed-out jade of Chu state,is not only a representation of the exquisite jade pattern but also embodies the appreciating capability of Chu people and their perception over beauty of art.〔4〕In a word,the jade culture of Chu state at Pre-Qin period reflects Chu people’s pursuit for art and is a presentation of cultural traits and personalities of Chu people.At last,it also shows cultural characteristics and taste of Chu as well as its artistic traits and aesthetic preference.

2.Yu Bi embodies rigorousness and mildness of Chu people

As an important symbol of culture of Chu state,Yu Bi serves as a token for state sacrifice ceremony and foreign exchange.as a result,Yu Bi apparently shows the state honor,spirit and personality.Yu Bi,in light of its appearance,is glossy and presents the color of clean white.The hole of a Yu Bi in central area,is suitable for the body of the Yu Bi and is not only decent but also exquisite.If digging into deep connotations of Yu Bi,whiteness and transparency of it can be interpreted as Chu people’s pure heart and their simplified thoughts over things as well as their rigorousness,whereas the smooth surface of Yu Bi is an embodiment of clean and decent appearance of Chu people as well as their sense of state honor and national pride;meanwhile,it also reflects Chu people’s love for peace and hatred towards martial behavior.The above interpretation is the basic cultural connotation of jade of Chu state.The cultural meanings of jade indirectly reflect Chu people’s social personalities and mind activity over the way they treating things.This is an overall embodiment of culture of Chu state of Pre-Qin period and the spiritual value of itself.Cultural meanings of jade at the same time also the perfect integration between the Chu culture and jade in aspects of artistic and cultural value and manifests the importance of jade in Chu culture.

3.Sense of flow of jade vividly reflects Chu people’s advocating to etiquette

The jade pattern of Chu state is quite artistic and shows prominent artistic characteristics as well as values.In ancient times,jade does not only reflect culture of Chu,but also makes an integration between aesthetic values of culture and art,which implies pursuit for artistic beauty of Chu culture.The etiquette culture,as the foundation of Chu culture,is the core of cultural architect.Jade,usually bearing with itself rich connotations and implications.Various jade patterns and their respective artistic features as well as values presenting in etiquette culture of Chu,serve as foundation of cultivation and development of culture.〔5〕The flow sense of jade is a crucial artistic feature of jade culture of Chu state,which highlights high quality and deep connotation of jade,shows Chu people’s emphasis on ceremony and manifests Chu people’s personalities and their perception over culture.What’s more,such sense of flow,interpreting from the perspective of aesthetics,presents the artistic beauty and delicate workmanship of pattern design and jade carving,while from the perspective of culture,it unfolds the “personalized beauty”.Therefore,jade of Chu state bears both artistic and cultural connotations.

Ⅲ.Characteristics of jade accessories reflect profound connotations of Chu culture

1.The flowing cloud pattern is an embodiment of internal cultural traits of jade artifacts of Chu state

Through an analysis of cultural and artistic characteristics reflected by jade artifacts of Chu state at Pre-Qin period from the perspective of pattern design of jade,artistic effect can be easily defined.The cloud pattern is flowing and smooth,showing exquisiteness and beauty of jade.Besides,the cloud pattern is more commonly used in jade accessories,which adds better hand feel and stronger artistic sense to those accessories and meanwhile reflects cautiousness and refined sensibility of Chu people.By analyzing interior personalities of Chu people,conclusions can be drawn that they put great emphasis on synchronous cultivation between personal character and exterior etiquette.Jade to some extent fully implies Chu people’s dignity,gracefulness and reasonableness.Patterns,shapes and design concepts of jade accessories objectively present geographical identity and internal traits of Chu culture,which can be considered as crucial influential factors for traditional culture development.〔6〕Artistic features of jade accessories and deep connotations as well as appreciation values presented by patterns of jade accessories embody the profound “ artistic beauty” and “qualified beauty”.

2.Pursuit for interior moral and cultural expression tends to be prominent feature of jade accessories of Chu state at Pre-Qin period

When observing Chu state and its culture from the perspective of progress of traditional culture,it is not difficult to find that of all features of jade culture of Chu,the pursuit for comprehensive development of morality and culture occupies a crucial place.Through analyzing applications of jade artifacts,they play a very important role in ceremonial and sacrificing activities.Ceremonial culture,except for emphasizing gracefulness,it also highlights the internal personalities of human beings.This is the moral and cultural characteristics symbolized by jade of Chu The Chu culture takes cultural etiquette as its root.While the jade accessory not only marks identity and personality of its owner,but also implies certain mores and degree of moral recognition.For example,weapons are usually with jade accessories of patterns of dragons or phoenixes which symbolize state spirits and main features of national culture.

3.The feature of integration motion into stillness reflected by jade of Chu state objectively presents profound connotation of internal culture

Generally speaking,jade accessories of Chu state have two prominent features:solemnness and gracefulness implies openness and inclusiveness in human personality while delicacy and exquisiteness implies humbleness.The above two features manifest that jade reflects personality and inner quality of human beings and jade accessories bring with itself cultural connotations.As a token of individual’s social status,jade accessories usually adopt patterns describing imagined things (for example,dragon,phoenix,Kylin,etc.).These accessories on the one hand symbolize social status of people and on the other hand imply people’s inner thoughts.Although jade is often carved with imagined animal totems,expert carving workmanship seems to bring life to those pictures,which inspires people’s imagination and shows the “artistic beauty” of jade accessories.This is the essential characteristic of traditional culture presented by jade artifacts of Chu state,while its cultural value is mainly embodied by aesthetics of jade accessories.Jade accessories of Chu state can reflect artistic creation and innovation of culture.Therefore,they are considered as a crucial cultural element representing development of traditional Chinese culture.

Ⅳ.Conclusion

Of various cultural patterns of Chu state at Pre-Qin period,cultural connotations brought by Chinese jade culture exert fundamental influence to inheritance and progress of traditional culture.In light of cultural and artistic features of jade at that times,artistic values of those exquisite patterns and expert workmanship can be perceived.National spirits,traits and personalities reflected by jade to some extent show that jade plays a critical role in culture inheritance and advancement.Studies on cultural and artistic values of jade of Chu state would push forward restructuring and development of traditional culture in modern times at spiritual and artistic levels as well as directly impacts the progress of society and culture.

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About the author：Li Zhongyuan,M.A.,lecturer at School of Fashion,Wuhan Textile University.

〔*〕Humanities and Social Sciences Program of 2011 Funded by Ministry of Education:Studies on Chinese Jade for Clothes in Chu State of Pre-Qin Period (No.10YJAZHD95).