Introduction/ thesis
The Chinese “Yu” is translated into “Jade” in English (Encyclopedia of East Asian Art). In Chinese culture the meaning is not so simplistic. The correct meaning of “Jade” is a “hard ornate stone” this is because it actually refers to several different stones including bowenite, jadeite and nephrite (Encyclopedia of East Asian Art). This paper will look at the use of jade in Chinese culture and art.
What is Jade?
Jade is a stone that is used in many different types of Chinese art including sculpture, jewelry, carvings. The stone is excavated from riverbeds and mountains (cultural-china, 2007). When it is taken from the riverbed or mountain it needs to be cut and polished in order for the shine that is associated with the
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Besides the continual production of bi, cong, and ritual pieces. Jade carvers made a number of scepters that were used to showcase the different ranks of nobility. They were also used as ceremonial batons. It has been discovered that during the Zhou Dynasty people would use jade plugs to block the seven orifices of someone who had died (Encyclopedia of East Asian Art). They also buried the dead with cicadas in their mouths (“Chinese jade, A brief introduction to Chinese culture,” 2005). This was because cicadas only come every seventeen years after being underground and so the Ancient Chinese associated this with rebirth (“Chinese jade, A brief introduction to Chinese culture,” …show more content…
Up until the Qing dynasty jade had been created primarily from nephrite (Encyclopedia of East Asian Art). This is white jade which is also called bowenite or Khotan (Encyclopedia of East Asian Art). In approximately 1800 merchants and traders began to import a new type of green jade from Burma. This was referred to as jadeite, kingfishers feather jade or Feicui (Encyclopedia of East Asian Art). Soon the new jade became increasingly popular at the Manchu court. Nonetheless there was still a preference for the milky white jade of the nephrite variety amongst the older aristocrats and scholars (Encyclopedia of East Asian Art). Jade utensils became very popular during the Qing Dynasty as there are a number of jade dishware, including cups, bowls, bottles etc,. that have been discovered (Encyclopedia of East Asian
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During the Tang and Song dynasty, many excellent achievements have been accomplished which are still being preserved and used widely over centuries. Their citizens were excelled in many fields with several of new and practical inventions which all directly affected the citizens’ lives.
I learned about many significant artwork and artist in this class. This class provided me with a better understanding of the history of the world Art, but also helped me understand the development of art style. However, among all of these precious pieces of artwork, there are two special ones that caught my attention: The Chinese Qin Terracotta Warriors and The Haniwa. Each of them represents the artist’s stylistic characteristics and cultural context. Although they represented different art of rulers, historical values, and scenes, there were visible similarities.
Chang, Kwang-chih 1968 The Archeology of Ancient China Yale University Press, New Haven & London
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...des us with a glimpse into the ancient culture using beautiful and detailed designs. The art form has been sustained in fired clay for thousands of years indiscriminately telling its story to the world and to history.
...f this object. The qin was a very important element in Chinese society during the Han dynasty as it was one of the many aspects in the creation of the two opposing social identities within the same culture. Unlike the effect music had on diaspora communities, it was a factor in the divergence of people in a community.
Chinese music is described as a unique form of art. Even today, the Modern Chinese music has a Western Modern Music style. The music has it's own characteristics and is very much distinct.