The renowned Lantian Jade, or Jade of Blue Fields, is one of the four famous Chinese jades with a rich history dating back to the Stone Age. But what is Lantian Jade, and what makes it so special? Let’s delve into its origins, characteristics, and cultural significance in this informative article.
1 Unveiling Lantian Jade
- Chinese Name: 蓝田玉 (Lantian Yu)
- English Name: Lantian Jade
- Color: Gorgeous or elegant
- Luster: High luster
- Transparency: High transparency
- Hardness: 2 – 6 degrees
- Mineral Density: Approximately 2.7g/cm3
- Distribution: Lantian County, Yuquan Town, Shaanxi Province, China
- Main Component: SiO2
Lantian Jade, discovered thousands of years ago, is considered the oldest type of jade. This exquisite stone has a long history in Chinese art, with carvings dating back to the Spring and Autumn, Qin, and Han Dynasties, and reaching their pinnacle during the Tang Dynasty.
Derived from the mountains of Lantian County in Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, this jade earned its name, “Lantian Jade,” from its place of origin.
What is Lantian Jade?
2 Characteristics of Lantian Jade
Lantian Jade is divided into five groups: Emerald Jade, Ink Jade, Jade Jade, Han White Jade, and Yellow Jade. Each variety boasts a unique allure.
With its high hardness, captivating colors, vibrant hues, and intricate patterns, Lantian Jade is ideal for creating exquisite jewelry.
Hue: Olive green (light yellow-green)
Tactile: Light and easy to hold, with a relatively low specific gravity similar to that of crystal.
Surface: Exhibits cloud-like streaks, adding to its unique beauty.
Luster: Generally not very lustrous, with only a few pieces attaining a crystal-like luster. Most pieces have a waxy sheen.
Characteristics of Lantian Jade
3 The Legend of Lantian Jade
Long ago, Lantian County was a small mountain village nestled in the Zhongnan Mountains. Here lived a poor but diligent and kind scholar named Yang Ba Yong. He built a small pavilion where weary travelers could rest and refresh themselves with a cup of tea.
One day, an old man carrying a bag of pebbles stumbled upon the pavilion, exhausted from his journey. Yang Ba Yong rushed to his aid, offering him food and shelter. As the old man rested, he presented Yang Ba Yong with a bag of pebbles, instructing him to bury them in the ground, foretelling that they would transform into jade. With this jade, Yang Ba Yong would be able to marry a virtuous wife. Before Yang could express his gratitude, the old man vanished.
Unbeknownst to Yang, the old man was none other than the mythical Tai Bai Jin Xing. Following the sage’s advice, Yang buried the pebbles, and indeed, they transformed into precious jade.
Soon after, Yang Ba Yong used this jade as betrothal gifts to marry a young lady from the Su family. However, their happiness was short-lived as a severe drought struck their homeland, causing widespread famine. Yang and his wife selflessly shared their jade with the starving villagers, exchanging it for food to survive the drought.
Word of this treasure spread, arousing the greed of local officials who colluded with bandits to seize the jade. As a result, Yang Ba Yong and the villagers were left homeless and destitute.
Tai Bai Jin Xing, aware of their plight, appeared in their dreams: “When the sun rises over the southern mountain, follow the direction of the gentle smoke to find the hidden jade.” Guided by this vision, the villagers discovered the jade, while the officials found only unformed green stones.
These legendary stones are the Lantian Jade of today.
The Legend of Lantian Jade
4 The Power of Lantian Jade
Exorcising Evil Spirits
Lantian Jade is believed to be a conduit to the divine, offering protection and blessings. The soft radiance of this jade is thought to ward off evil spirits, bringing peace and good fortune.
Adornment
With its captivating colors, smooth surface, and lustrous sheen, Lantian Jade is transformed into exquisite jewelry. When worn, it accentuates one’s gentle beauty, calm demeanor, and noble spirit.
Health and Wellbeing
Ancient medical texts proclaim that Lantian Jade possesses healing properties. It is said to nourish the yin, clear heat, calm the mind, nourish the blood, and soothe the nerves. Wearing Lantian Jade is believed to promote and maintain good health.
The Power of Lantian Jade
We hope you enjoyed learning about the characteristics, origins, powers, and cultural significance of Lantian Jade. May this ancient stone continue to inspire and bring blessings to all who cherish its beauty and mystery. Thank you for reading!
