Precious Immortal Armor: Ancient Chinese Rulers Rest in Jade Burial Suits, Crafted From Thousands of Pieces

When they died, select members of China’s Han Dynasty were covered in thousands of meticulously carved jade tiles, sewn together with shimmering gold thread.

Jade, revered for its hardness, and associated with purity, beauty, longevity, and nobility, held a special place in Han culture, which flourished under the Han Dinasty (206 BC – 220 AD). Believed to have magical properties that could preserve the flesh and protect the soul of the deceased for eternity, jade became the ultimate material for elite burials, and particularly for the creation of intricate burial suits for the members of the ruling class.

The Han dynasty brought a period of great prosperity and cultural achievement in China. It was also a time of political stability and expansion, as the Han emperors unified most of China under their rule and established trade and diplomatic relations with other regions.

The Han dynasty is often considered the first golden age of Chinese civilization, and its legacy can still be seen in many aspects of Chinese and world culture today. The era witnessed groundbreaking inventions like paper (credited to Cai Lun), the water clock, the sundial, and the world’s first seismograph, to name just a few.

The Han believed in a two-part soul, with the spirit-soul journeying to the afterlife while the body-soul remained in the grave until a ritual reunited them; they came to view jade as a preserver of both body and the souls attached to it, reflected by the large and small jade bi discs placed around some burials.

This belief evolved into the practice of burying individuals in intricate jade suits, each crafted from thousands of meticulously polished pieces, symbolizing immortality and emphasizing the wealth and status of the deceased. Crafting these intricate suits was a monumental task, requiring hundreds of skilled artisans and over a decade of dedicated work.

Jade, believed to have spiritual and medicinal qualities, as it could ward off evil spirits and diseases, played a special role in this thriving ancient culture. It wasn’t only used in burials, but also as a material for ritual objects, ornaments, jewelry, and art.

The jade burial suits were the ultimate expression of this reverence for jade in ancient China. They were made of thousands of jade pieces, usually square or rectangular in shape, that were joined together by wires or threads. The wires or threads could be made of gold, silver, copper, or silk, depending on the status of the person buried.

The jade pieces covered the entire body of the deceased, including the head, eyes, ears, and nose. Since jade burial suits were very expensive and labor-intensive to make, only wealthy aristocrats could afford them.

The first documented mention of jade burial suits dates back to AD 320, but archaeological evidence suggests that they existed as early as the second century BC. However, their existence was not confirmed until 1968, when two intact jade burial suits were discovered in the tomb of Prince Liu Sheng and his wife Princess Dou Wan of the Western Han dynasty (206 BC – 9 AD) in Hebei province. The tomb was hidden behind a wall of iron between two brick walls and a corridor packed with stone. The jade burial suits were in perfect condition, and they amazed the world with their beauty and craftsmanship.

The jade burial suit of Prince Liu Sheng was made of 2,498 pieces of jade and 1.1 kilograms of gold thread. The jade burial suit of Princess Dou Wan was made of 2,160 pieces of jade and 0.7 kilograms of silver thread. The jade pieces were carved with intricate patterns and symbols, such as clouds, dragons, phoenixes, and flowers. The jade burial suits reflected the high status and wealth of the royal couple, as well as their belief in immortality.

Since then, more than 20 other jade burial suits have been found in different regions of China, including that of King Zhao Mo (137 BC – 122 BC), Prince Huai (died 113 BC), a son of Emperor Wu (the seventh emperor of the Western Han dynasty), and Princess Yongtai (died 701 AD), a granddaughter of Emperor Zhongzong (the fourth emperor of the Tang dynasty).

The jade burial suits are not only stunning artifacts but also valuable sources of information about ancient Chinese culture and history. They reveal the beliefs, values, customs, aesthetics, and technology of the Han dynasty and beyond. They also demonstrate the importance of jade in Chinese civilization and its symbolic meaning for life and death.

The jade burial suits are now displayed in various museums across China and abroad. They are considered national treasures and cultural relics that need to be protected and preserved. They are also admired by many people who appreciate their beauty and mystery.

Sources: 1, 2, 3