Jade culture animal jade carving

The theme of jade carving for animals has already appeared in the Neolithic Age. A large number of jade carving animal accessories have been found in Hongshan Culture, Liangzhu Culture and other neolithic cultural sites, reflecting the interdependence and mutual competition between humans and animals. In the subsequent history, the theme of animal jade carving has become more and more extensive, and there are more and more works. People have given these animal jade carvings many auspicious meanings and cultural connotations. Until today, jade animal accessories are still popular with people, especially the zodiac jade pendant, which is a favorite of many people.

Interpretation of jade auspicious patterns

Among the Hongshan jade wares that have been unearthed, most of them are animal-shaped works of art. In addition to the famous "China's No.1 Jade Dragon" found in Sankt Tara Village, Wengniute Banner, Inner Mongolia, there are Jade Dragon, Jade Eagle, and Jade. Jade, jade, jade, jade, jade, jade, jade, jade, jade beetles and a large number of animal modeling jade, these animal modeling jade are some of the more realistic, some abstract, some may be At that time people like to wear mascots, and some may be the totem of the clan.

Hongshan Yulong modeling atmosphere

The distinctive feature of Hongshan Yulong is that the entire device is in the shape of a “C” shape. It is not the common horn like deer, head like camel, eyes like rabbit, neck like snake, belly like fish, scale like fish, claw like eagle. The image of a dragon with nine kinds of animal characteristics, palm-like tiger, and ear-like bovine, is obviously only the shape of a dragon. It is similar to the shape of a dragon. Such "C"-shaped jade dragons are frequently found in Inner Mongolia. Some jade dragons are small in size and only 3 to 10 cm high. These jade dragons are likely to be pendants. The large jade dragons with a height of more than 20 centimeters should be the artifacts that the tribal leaders at that time could possess. They are symbols of power and may be tribal totems. The jade dragon, unearthed in Sankt Tara Village, Wengniute Banner, Inner Mongolia, is 26 cm high and is made of dark green jade. The body is polished and the surface is bright and bright. The whole body is curled and the snout extends forward. There are two small eyes for the nostrils. The eye is a slender shuttle with a perforation on the back and the hair is curved backwards and is very dynamic. Because it already possesses the basic characteristics of the dragon and is now the earliest found Yulong, it is hailed as "the first jade dragon in China."

And Yulong is a little bit like "Yuzhu Long". This kind of utensil has big fat ears, flat kisses, and wrinkled decoration on the bridge of the nose. These features look particularly like pigs, but the body also twists into a "C" shape. Like the dragon's body, it is often called the "jade pig dragon." There is a gap between the beginning and end of Jade Dragon, which is a bit like a jade ape, so some people call it "Animal Shape". The shape of the "Yuzhu Long" found so far is generally the same, but the size is different, the small one is only two or three centimeters high, and the large height is up to 15 centimeters.

There are one or two pairs of drill holes in the back of the Jade Dragon, which can be tied with a rope. Some scholars believe that "Yuzhu Long" is an amulet used by ancient ancestors to ward off evil and pray for good luck, and is a casually worn accessory. Judging from the unearthed status of "Yuzhu Long" paired to the deceased's chest, this kind of artifact is very likely to be worn, but some scholars believe that the "Yuzhu Long" up to 15cm in height is not suitable for doing it. Pendant, large "Yuzhu Long" is only suitable for funerary objects.

Liangzhu Yupei Realism

Liangzhu people also like to wear animal jade. Animals are fish-shaped, frog-shaped, bird-shaped, and turtle-shaped. Liangzhu jade fish is generally very realistic, simple and vivid shape, fish mouth convex, fish-eye clear, fishtail bifurcation, engraved diagonal thin line, fish belly has two holes for wearing a rope. Frog-shaped shells and turtle-shaped shells have only been found one at a time. The frog-shaped shell has been unearthed at the site of Zhangling Mountain in Wu County, Jiangsu Province. The jade ware is yellow-green. Two round holes are drilled for the frog eyes, and a small hole is drilled next to the right eye. Hanging on. Turtle-shaped shells were unearthed at the Yuhang anti-mountain site. The shapes are realistic and life-like. The turtle's abdomen has a pair of horizontal perforations that can be worn through the ropes. The design is clever.

The Warring States Period Han Dynasty Jade Charm

Shang dynasty jade carving animal ornaments decorated concise and exquisite, generally drilled to facilitate the Department of wearing holes, animal Pedo to deer, rabbits, tigers, birds and other hunting objects. In the Western Zhou Dynasty and the Spring and Autumn Period, animal jade was gradually developed into a miniaturized one. There were many reliefs and less round sculptures. There were deer, tiger, cow, sheep, pig, horse, etc.

In the Warring States Period and the Han Dynasty, there were a wide range of subject matter for jade carving animals. There were not only common animal images but also evil animals such as evil spirits and Tian Lu. During this period, animal jade carving relief sculptures and round carvings are both abstract and realistic styles. Animals are characterized by both form and spirit, powerful lines and superb skills. Animals in the Wei and Jin dynasty were still dominated by evil spirits, Tian Lu and other beasts, but their craft level was far less than that of the Han Dynasty. During the Tang and Song Dynasties, the subject matter of animal jade had undergone great changes. Tian Lupei and Lie Xiepei had almost disappeared. Instead, camels, peacocks and other accessories were used. The shape was mainly realistic, the carving was rough and free, and the lines were concise and vivid.

Liao Jinyuan's animal Yupei presents a unique ethnic customs, of which “Spring Water Jade” and “Akiyama Jade” are the most distinctive. The former portrays spring mallards, swans, and bird-hunting scenes; the latter portrays several animals in shuttles, portraying the hunting and natural scenery of the northern country in autumn, and is of great value for collection.

The variety and quantity of animals in the Ming and Qing dynasties surpassed any previous era. There were many things such as sacred animals, zodiac, and fowls. There were also rare animals in the dynasty, including Pei Pei and Shuang Pei Pei. Very rarely seen. The carving style tends to be soft and harmonious. The palace jade carving is full of portrayal and exquisite, and the folk jade is concise and simple.