Clay Pot from Liangzhu Museum (Wikimedia Commons)
Chinese civilization boasts a brilliant history spanning five millennia, characterized by distinct regional and temporal developments as well as a rich tradition of cultural integration. The origin of Chinese culture is diverse; apart from the northeastern Hongshan culture previously discussed, the Liangzhu culture, located in the southeastern part of the Yangtze River basin, is a prime example. Known for its jade culture, which has had a profound impact on Chinese history, culture, and art, today's focus is on exploring this culture to enhance our understanding.
The Liangzhu culture emerged during the Late Neolithic period in China and primarily occupied areas in present-day Zhejiang Province, such as the northwest of Hangzhou and Yuyao. It flourished approximately from 3300 BC to 2300 BC, a span of about 1000 years. As an agrarian society, the Liangzhu culture gained renown for its high level of jade craftsmanship, leaving behind an abundance of exquisite jade, pottery, and other relics. It is considered one of the important origins of ancient Chinese civilization, though it appeared around 1000 years after the Hongshan culture, and the direct connections between them are now unclear due to the passage of time.
The political, social, and economic structures of Liangzhu culture reveal signs of early social stratification and political organization:
*Political Structure:*
The main city area of Liangzhu contains various palaces and ritual areas, as well as burial grounds for different social classes. Differences in the burial sites reflect the distinct social hierarchies. High-status burials often include numerous exquisite jade artifacts, while lower-status burials are simpler. These differences suggest the existence of power and class structures, possibly with a powerful ruler or ruling group. The presence of the ancient Liangzhu city also indicates a central power center that may have been a hub for political, religious, and economic activities.
*Social Structure:*
Society during the Liangzhu period exhibited clear stratification, with the upper class composed of chieftains and religious leaders who organized various religious and economic activities and held significant power. The middle class included elites such as religious figures and officials performing various duties, while the lower class consisted of laborers engaged in agriculture and animal husbandry. Jade craftsmanship and usage were seen as symbols of status and power.
*Economic Structure:*
During the Liangzhu period, the economy was primarily based on agriculture, particularly rice cultivation. Early inhabitants cleared land and cultivated crops using simple tools. In addition to agriculture, there were handicrafts such as pottery and jade craftsmanship. The lower Yangtze River region, with its numerous waterways and lakes, also saw a significant development in fishing. Rafts may have been a common means of transportation. Barter trade likely occurred, with jade and other products such as pottery circulating within a relatively broad region. This period also saw water management projects, such as the construction of dikes and canals.
In conclusion, the Liangzhu culture exhibited a relatively mature society in terms of politics, society, and economics, laying the foundation for China's later development.
Liangzhu culture is renowned for its high level of jade craftsmanship, displaying a certain degree of intricacy and artistic quality. The culture was known for creating high-quality, exquisite jade artifacts, which were considered important ceremonial, religious, and status symbols.
*Characteristics of Liangzhu Jade Culture:*
- *High-quality materials:* Liangzhu culture's jade artifacts were primarily made from high-quality materials such as nephrite. This stone is known for its fine texture and smooth luster, providing an excellent foundation for jade craftsmanship.
2. *Exquisite craftsmanship:* Liangzhu jade artifacts exhibited refined craftsmanship, including grinding, carving, and polishing processes. They could create intricate patterns (such as animal face motifs) and designs.
3. *Diverse types:* Liangzhu jade artifacts come in various forms, including jade bi-discs, jade cong-tubes, jade gui-tablets, jade zhang-blades, and jade huang-pendants. These items held significant importance in religious rituals and ceremonies.
4. *Symbolic meanings:* Liangzhu jade artifacts often held religious and power symbolism. For instance, jade bi-discs and jade cong-tubes were considered sacred objects connecting heaven and earth, representing the authority of the ruler and religious beliefs.
5. *Intricate decorations:* Liangzhu jade artifacts often feature mysterious totems and patterns, which usually carry symbolic meanings such as mythical creatures, birds, and abstract geometric shapes.
Among the important Liangzhu artifacts, the author particularly admires jade cong-tubes and red pottery jars. These are crucial cultural heritage from the late Neolithic period.
Jade Cong from Taiwan National Palace Museum
*Jade Cong*
Jade cong is one of the most representative jade artifacts of Liangzhu culture, believed to have religious and ritual functions. It was commonly used in ceremonies and religious rituals, symbolizing the connection between heaven and earth.
Jade cong features a square columnar shape with smooth, flat sides and a circular hole in the center, embodying the concept of "round sky, square earth."
The surface of jade cong is usually adorned with intricate patterns, including mythical creatures, birds, and abstract geometric shapes, which may be related to religious beliefs and cosmology.
Jade cong is typically made from high-quality jade, exhibiting fine craftsmanship and a smooth surface.
The manufacturing techniques such as cutting, carving, and polishing showcase the exquisite craftsmanship of the time and reflect the artistic creativity of the early inhabitants.
*Red Pottery Jar*
Red pottery jars are common pottery artifacts from the late Neolithic period in China, typically cylindrical or drum-shaped with a wide mouth and handles, and a round bottom.
The distinct characteristic of red pottery jars is the red-colored clay used, which was a primary material at the time. Red pottery jars were widely used in daily life for storing water, grain, or other food items and were essential household items.
The production of pottery is a complex process involving mining, washing, drying, shaping, carving patterns, kiln firing, and other steps. It required high technical skills. From these creations, we can see that during this period, people already had high levels of craftsmanship and even some initial specialization.
In summary, Liangzhu culture is one of the important sources of Chinese culture. Jade cong and red pottery jars represent religious rituals and daily life, respectively. In terms of religion, the early inhabitants revered nature and ancestors, a practice that has continued to this day. Pottery was an essential part of daily life and later developed into a wide variety of types, becoming the cups, plates, and jars we use today, showing the deep impact of cultural continuity on our current lives. Would you agree?
Author
Mr. Robert T Li graduated from the Economics Department of the University of Hong Kong and has served as the Head of Liability Insurance in the Greater China region for an international insurance company. He has a passion for traditional Chinese culture and enjoys collecting art. He is actively involved in promoting awareness of traditional Chinese culture, music, and art among young people. He can be contacted at litaichai@gmail.com.
Uploaded on 2024.4.20