The Jade Pendant
Jade has occupied an important place in the Chinese culture more than 4.000 years ago, since the Neolithic period新时期时代.
Chinese people consider jade to be "the essence of heaven and earth集天地精华”. When skillfully and delicately polished and carved into various articles, jade is attributed with certain cultural characteristics.
Jade is held in such high regard also because of the virtues it is bestowed. In the Book of Songs, there is such a verse, “when I think of my husband, gentle as a piece of jade言念君子，温其如玉."
According to Origin of Chinese Characters the first Chinese dictionary compiled by Xu Shen of the Eastern Han Dynasty, "jade has five virtues,"
- Benevolence仁
- Rectitude 义
- Wisdom智
- Courage勇
- Purity洁.
Confucius was quoted as saying, “a gentleman always carries a jade pendant君子无故，玉不去身", as a symbol and reminder of his noble bearing.
In the present days, a man of noble character is still described as warm and benevolent as jade温润如玉. Jade has become the incarnation of a man of noble character君子的化身.
The majority of carved jade items were ornamental in nature. It is believed that jade pendant protects the bearer as a talisman护身符 and showcases the wealth and status of the bearer. In ancient times jade pendants were worn by high officials and eminent personages 达官贵人 as well as ordinary townsfolk市井人物.
The traditional Chinese patterns of the jade pendant are rich in content and diverse in form. They generally include auspicious omens for longevity, prosperity, harmony, health and wealth, and are valued as a utensil to ward off evil spirits. Some of the ancient symbolic motifs装饰图案are still used in modern jade carvings include: dragon and phoenix, which convey a sense of noble bearing; auspicious cloud祥云, which is an auspicious omen吉兆; the bat for happiness; the tortoise龟, the pine tree松 and the crane 鹤for longevity, etc.
Jade ornaments have remained popular up until the present day. It is more of a spiritual sustenance 精神寄托than merely a decoration. It showcases the bearer's personality, taste and national temperament民族气质.
