Silk is a great invention of the Chinese people and one of its significant contributions to world civilization. Such and such legends about the origin of silk are tinted with romantic mythical tones. China's silk culture also affords inexhaustible fascination.

Enduring history

As early as 5,000 years ago the Chinese have successfully domesticated the wild silkworm by using the silk it spins to make cloths. Judging from the distribution of silk relics in China silk production spread to most parts of China long time ago and there arose some regions renowned for silk products, with the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River being the center of production.

North China was inflicted with wars after the third century while economy in the south was developing steadily by comparison, which moved silk production center to the south. The middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, particularly the south of the lower reaches, had rapid development after the An-Shi Rebellion, and a situation of tripartite balance basically formed among the lower reaches of the Yellow River, Sichuan and the lower reaches of the Yangtze River in late Tang Dynasty. When the Song authorities moved government to the south silk production was even more flourishing there, which gave rise to many towns specialized in silk production and silk markets dependent on them in the south of the Yangtze River lower reaches. Since Yuan Dynasty, cotton plantation began to spread nationwide and silk production was further concentrated in the Yangtze River lower reaches. A situation formed where the south made a great deal of silk and the north consumed it in huge quantities.

The unique silk culture

In the perpetual river of history silk has pervaded every aspect of Chinese society through the ages and has significant influence on people's life and production. It has gradually formed a unique silk culture that became the cream of the Chinese people's cultural treasures. The evolution of silk in ancient China has enriched people's life not only in terms of clothing but also many artistic expressions such as literature, poetry, painting, sculpture, dancing and folk customs etc. Countless ties with silk can always be found in these areas. The world-renowned Silk Road was a cultural and commercial tie between the east and the west. Linking the remote Greek and Persian cultures it promoted the commercial and trade exchanges and enhanced the friendship among various countries. China thus won the laudatory title of Seres (silk country).

Advanced making techniques

Silk clothes and articles used to be necessities of the luxurious life of aristocrats, which led to refined quality of weavings by state-run firms catering to the up market. The development of production demanded advance of techniques, which in turn put China in the leading position in the world in terms of silk manufacturing techniques for a considerable period. The constant innovation of mulberry plantation techniques, weaving techniques and silk weaving arts as well as the inventions by numerous craftsmen consistently pushed the advance of silk-related techniques and artistic level. We can get a glimpse of the glorious development through cultural relics and articles handed down from ancient times. In Han Dynasty China witnessed its first peak of silk industry. There was great variety of silk products weaving techniques. The level of silk development can be sufficiently testified by the cultural relics excavated at Mawangdui in Hunan. It was during that time that the Silk Road was officially opened.

Silk was already famed worldwide in Tang Dynasty and it was the clothe for the whole world. The masterly products, exquisite grain and flowery colors all combined to make the Tang Dynasty silk the perfect integration of art and techniques. China's silk weaving and embroidery techniques made a historic leap in Song Dynasty. Kesi (silk tapestry with cut designs) and embroidery techniques were very much matured. It was a vogue to copy from such artworks as realistic paintings of landscape and flowers and birds, calligraphy etc. leaving exotic flowers in silk history. In Ming and Qing Dynasty silk developed toward a more refined and aristocratic direction, displaying a resplendent, sumptuous and magnificent vigor and driving the pattern design and weaving techniques to the superlative.

For 5,000 years China's silk has written a splendid chapter in history, reaching an astonishing level both in terms of art and techniques. The rich variety, fine quality, exquisite pattern and grain and masterly crafts all make people acclaim as the peak of perfection! For example, the formation of Kesi, Zhijin (picture-weaving in silk) and embroidery represents the high level China's silk has accomplished and the great wisdom of the Chinese people. These traditional weaving techniques are insurmountable even with today's high-tech means.

By People's Daily Online