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Relic of kingdom 'cong'
By Liu Xiaolin |
August 22, 2010, Sunday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
JADE occupies a special place in Chinese civilization, symbolizing nobility, constancy, perfection and immortality. Jade was not only worn as jewelry and as accessories but also carved into sacrificial, ritual and burial vessels and articles.
Objects of beautiful and lustrous jade were used to pay tribute to heaven and earth and pray for good harvest and happiness.
One of the most important jade ritual objects was a cong, a hollow cylinder embedded in a perfectly square block, reflecting the ancient belief that heaven is round and earth is square.
Some jade congs date back to the Liangzhu culture, the last Neolithic jade culture (3,400-2,250 BC) in the Taihu Lake region of the Yangtze River Delta.
One exquisitely carved example is displayed in the Shanghai Museum.
The exact purpose of the cong remains a mystery but many experts believe it represents a sacred connection between heaven and earth and was used by sorcerers during sacrifical rites and burials.
According to some ancient writings, jade congs were offerings to Mother Earth. The translucent aqua color jade cong in the Shanghai Museum is carved with patterns of a man-beast and flying birds. It measures 5 centimeters high and 7 centimeters in diameter.
The object made of tremolite was unearthed from Liangzhu tombs in Fuquanshan, a 7-meter-high mound in Qingpu District.
On each side of the cong is carved a beast-faced god-man said to be the protector of the Liangzhu people. Around the face are four flying birds believed to be divine messengers. The cong is decorated with cloud patterns symbolizing mystery, fortune and prosperity.
The carvings are simple, smooth and symmetric, representing both beauty and harmony.
Objects of beautiful and lustrous jade were used to pay tribute to heaven and earth and pray for good harvest and happiness.
One of the most important jade ritual objects was a cong, a hollow cylinder embedded in a perfectly square block, reflecting the ancient belief that heaven is round and earth is square.
Some jade congs date back to the Liangzhu culture, the last Neolithic jade culture (3,400-2,250 BC) in the Taihu Lake region of the Yangtze River Delta.
One exquisitely carved example is displayed in the Shanghai Museum.
The exact purpose of the cong remains a mystery but many experts believe it represents a sacred connection between heaven and earth and was used by sorcerers during sacrifical rites and burials.
According to some ancient writings, jade congs were offerings to Mother Earth. The translucent aqua color jade cong in the Shanghai Museum is carved with patterns of a man-beast and flying birds. It measures 5 centimeters high and 7 centimeters in diameter.
The object made of tremolite was unearthed from Liangzhu tombs in Fuquanshan, a 7-meter-high mound in Qingpu District.
On each side of the cong is carved a beast-faced god-man said to be the protector of the Liangzhu people. Around the face are four flying birds believed to be divine messengers. The cong is decorated with cloud patterns symbolizing mystery, fortune and prosperity.
The carvings are simple, smooth and symmetric, representing both beauty and harmony.
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