Bi (jade)

Under Bi-Disks (Chinese璧, Pinyin Bì ) refers to Jadescheiben with a hole in the middle that were used in ancient China for ceremonial purposes. They are described in ancient Chinese texts as badges of rank and in the Liangzhu culture (3300-2300 BC ) of the Neolithic China used as ritual objects. The biggest sites of the Bi-Disks are tombs of high-ranking deceased, where they were together with Cong tubes found. It is believed that these objects symbolize the sky. The exact meaning varies from dynasty to dynasty. We know only a few details today. Thus, the Bi-Disks for example, were at a funeral where the deceased in the grave to show him the way to heaven. However, this privilege was reserved for the aristocracy. In another example, the disc were handed over to the winner after losing a fight.

Appearance

Bi-Disks are usually round and have a hole in the middle. The diameter usually is between 25 and 30 centimeters. However, there are also copies of one centimeter and which not. Having a size of about half a meter In earlier times they were undecorated, then later engraved with ornate designs.

Pictures of Bi (jade)

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