"Jade Soul - Ancient Chinese Jade Culture Exhibition" opened. Photo by Zhu Yu
Changsha, December 28 (Xinhua) -- On December 28, the "Jade Soul - Ancient Chinese Jade Culture Exhibition" opened at the Changsha Museum, exhibiting a total of 410 pieces (sets) of exquisite jade, divided into four parts: Neolithic Age, Xia Shang Western Zhou, Spring and Autumn Warring States Qin and Han, and Wei and Jin dynasties from the Southern and Northern Dynasties to the Qing Dynasty, jointly presenting the history of China's jade culture of nearly 9,000 years.
Visitors admire a variety of jade artifacts. Photo by Zhu Yu
In chronological order, the exhibition brings together 410 pieces (sets) of jade from 8 cultural institutions such as Changsha Museum, Hunan Provincial Museum, Chongqing China Three Gorges Museum, etc., and is divided into four units: "Jade God", "Jade Ceremony", "Jade Bide" and "Jade Nourishment", which reflect the origin of Neolithic jade as ornaments and production tools, and later transformed into communication gods and spirits; jade during the Xia, Shang and Zhou Dynasties became a symbol of royal power and an important carrier of the national ceremonial system, and the ceremonial jade system was gradually improved During the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, jade was personified by Confucianism, endowed with moral connotations, and the connotation of jade virtue was further completed; jade was freed from the constraints of etiquette and moved towards secular fireworks after experiencing social turmoil in the Wei and Jin dynasties.
Among the exhibits are jade qi symbolizing status and power, jade plaque ornaments of the fangs deity that worship gods and represent primitive religious beliefs, unique and exquisitely made Nanyang Xia Xiangpu jade pendants, Lixian Xinzhou M1 group jade pendants for thrifty steps and identity, jade sword ornaments that embody the grace and dignity of gentlemen, and auspicious jade belt buckles with folded branches and peony patterns that are intended to convey good wishes, Ganoderma lucidum-style jade ruyi, lock-shaped jade pendants, etc., most of which are exhibited to the public for the first time.
Curator Yu Yanjiao said that this exhibition takes the cultural connotation and social value embodied in Chinese jade as the narrative subject, thus showing the characteristics of sanctification, ceremonialization, morality and aestheticization presented in the development process of Chinese jade, reflecting the unique Chinese jade culture, and hopes that the audience can feel the depth and longevity of China's ancient jade culture through this exhibition.
This exhibition is the Original Exhibition of Changsha Museum for the New Year and will last until April 5, 2022 (closed on Mondays, except national holidays), and is free and open to the public. During the exhibition, activities such as expert lectures, aesthetic education workshops, and interactive observation experiences will be held to lead the audience to experience the aesthetic meaning of jade and understand the status and rich connotation of jade culture in China's excellent traditional culture. (End)