The Chinese people's love and use of jade dates back to ancient times. Flowers, birds, animals, vases, incense burners and human figures are the usual subjects of jade carving, but the most favorite subject is beautiful women from popular fairy tales and legends. The most skilled craftsman can make the best use of the natural colour and the shape of the raw material. Jade had been cherished by the Chinese as a symbol of many virtues. Its hardness suggests firmness and loyalty, and its luster projects purity and beauty.
Chinese jade appears in nature in great variety.
The majority of Chinese jade is used to make jade articles and objects, with a very small amount of the best jade being set aside for jewel manufacture. Jade can now be found in about 100 places in China. Of all the different types of jade, Nephrite is the traditional favorite of Chinese artisans. Copyright 1999 Beijing Trip. All rights reserved.