The Study Of Han Dynasty Jade Cicada Culture

Jade cicada is a type of jade object, in ancient China is often used as funeral jadeand personal accessories. It was first to be used in the late Neolithic age ever found,and reached its peak in the Han dynasty. There is jade cicada lasting at the presenttime. The unearthed jade cicada were mainly concentrated in the Han dynasty tombs,other dynasties were still rare. In this paper, the research subject is the jade cicada ofHan dynasty by analyzed of ancient literatures and compared unearthed objects toresearch into the development and geographical distribution of the jade cicada and thefuneral custom of Han dynasty.Based on references of predecessors, summarized amounts of detailed informationof jade cicada, especially archaeological excavation reports of Han dynasty, and withthe physical pictures of Han dynasty jade cicada to studied deeply. Firstly in this paper,elaborate the material, shape, cut, decorative pattern and usage of jade cicada sincethe late neolithic age to the Qing dynasty, explore the development of jade cicadaevolution law and the cause of this evolution. Secondly classify jade cicada of theHan dynasty by shape, classify the early Western Han Dynasty, the middle andlate Western Han Dynasty, the end of Western Han Dynasty to Wangmang era of theHan dynasty, the Eastern Han dynasty, choose representative physical objects ofdifferent area to contrast in every period, not only summarize the characteristics of thejade cicada, but also conclude the regional characteristics and influencing factors bycontrast jade cicada of different area. Thirdly elaborate the inheritance of connotationand cultural morals by discussing about the meaning of cicada itself, the influence ofthe Han dynasty history and culture which include political and economic reasons andcultural beliefs, the funeral custom of the Han dynasty. Last elaborate the influence ofthe material, shape, cut, decorative pattern and usage of jade cicada of Han dynasty tomodern jewelry design by the works of modern jewelry designers and author.With the Jade cicada culture further research, made us know more about jadecicada cultural development and evolution of the process in Han dynasty which is thepeak stage of Chinese ancient jade development, even made us learn more about jade culture from a unique perspective. The culture of jade cicada is a very important partof the funeral custom in Han dynasty, learn more about it can take us a moreparticular knowledge of the funeral custom and the etiquette system in Han dynasty.