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Chinese Jade Uses

Few precious stones have captured the fascination of humanity like jade has. Some of the best quality jade found on Earth has come from Myanmar and been shaped by Chinese craftsmen. The earliest piece of sculpted jade ever found in China came from the Immortal Cave in Haicheng of Liaoning Province and was dated to 12,000 years ago, according to the American University in Washington D.C. Since that time, artisans and toolmakers have found endless uses for this green stone.

Art
- "A jade stone is useless before it is processed; a man is good for nothing until he is educated." - Chinese proverb.
  
  For at least 12,000 years jade has been used as an art medium in China. Ancient Chinese craftsmen sculpted jade into characters, idols and accessories for home décor. They made it into bracelets, earrings and necklaces for self beautification and spiritual protection. Because of the artistic symbolism this stone came to have, it is infused in Chinese culture. In the 21st century, the highest demand for jade comes from consumers seeking pieces of jade art.
Tools
- Jade is a really tough material. It is resistant to wear and tear and it breaks off to form sharp edges. Because of this characteristic, people have used jade to make tools and utensils for thousands of years. According to Geology.com, some of the earliest artifacts of jade have been works of toolmakers. They carved it into axes, projectile points, knives and scrapers.
Wealth and Currency
- Jade was a symbol of luxury and success throughout China in ancient times. The wealthy collected all types of household items including pens, swords, utensils, vases, adornments, ornaments and combs. As the technology improved, so did the quality of jade sculpture. According to Antique Chinese Furnitures, jade was used as far back as 4000 B.C. as an early form of currency in China. In some ancient dynasties of China, only aristocrats were allowed to wear jade jewelry, making it a symbol of this social status.
Religious Symbol
- According to Things Asian, Confucius wrote that jade embodied spiritual virtues including harmony, humanity, intelligence and justice. Many sculptures of jade in ancient times and in the 21st century are symbols of spirituality such as dragons, phoenix and the likeness of Buddha. Because of this association, jade helped religion spread through China. According to Antique Chinese Furnitures, one of four Buddhist relics discovered at the Famen Temple had been placed in a custom jade coffin. Prior to the Tang Dynasty when Buddhism was at its peak, the consumption of jade soared because of the demand for spiritual relics such as prayer beads.

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