When people in ancient times talked about jewelry, they would always call it "pearl agate", which fully illustrates the status of agate in the minds of ancient Chinese people. It is recorded that because the shape of the original agate stone is similar to that of a horse brain, it is called "agate".
Agate is a gemstone of indefinite shape, usually in various colors such as red, black, yellow, green, blue, purple, gray, etc., and generally has layers and circles of various colors. Striped bands, similar to tree rings.
Blue, purple and green agate are higher-end and rarer, also known as "chalcedony". Agate is the bedrock of crystal. Many crystals grow on agate ore. It is also an ancient gemstone like crystal.
It is said that owning agate can strengthen love and adjust the relationship between yourself and your lover. This statement comes from the legend of the origin of Tencel Agate in northern my country:
According to legend, there was a young woman named Yumei in Baozhuyingzi, a Mongolian village in Fuxin, Liaoning Province, who was beautiful, kind, smart and hard-working. After she married her husband Tian Long, the couple respected and loved each other and had a deep relationship. Unexpectedly, Tian's mother, who was paranoid and stubborn, did not like her, was picky in every possible way, and threatened Tian Long to divorce her.
Tian Long was forced by his mother's fate and had no choice but to persuade Yumei to stay away from her parents' home temporarily and try to take her home later. When they broke up, the two swore never to betray each other, and Tian Long vowed to accept him again in the future. Unexpectedly, after Yumei returned to her natal family, her scheming brother forced her to remarry the son of an official, and the wedding was held that day.
Tian Long rushed over after hearing the news and wanted to snatch Yumei away. However, when he arrived at Yumei's house, Yumei had already jumped into the wide river before getting on the sedan chair. Tian Long was extremely sad and jumped down. The two men both died in love, and their bodies sank into the depths of the river. The water plants in the river surrounded them, moved by their undying love, and wrapped around their bodies, gathering the essence of heaven and earth.
Thousands of years later, their bodies merged with the aquatic plants and turned into extremely hard aquatic agate stones, which were crystal clear and sparkling. The aquatic plants were entwined between the jade stones, and the landscape was unique, like a natural green ribbon, like a dream. Illusive.
Later the river dried up, and after this jade was discovered, in order to commemorate their steadfast love, they named it "Tencel Agate", which means that it will be entangled for life like a ribbon in the sky and will never leave.
Agate has a very distant history. It is one of the earliest gemstone materials used by humans. Agate has been used for decoration since ancient times due to its beautiful patterns. Strings of agate beads were common in ancient my country, mostly as necklaces.
For example, agate cups and agate beads have been found in primitive cultural sites such as Beiyinyangying in Nanjing. Among the large number of agate beads, there is one that is shaped to ward off evil spirits and is 1.7 centimeters long.
In addition, agate beads have also been discovered at the Qijia Cultural Site in Dahezhuang, Yongjing, Gansu Province, the Spring and Autumn Tombs in Dadian, Junan, Shandong Province, and the Dongjin Tombs in Xiangshan, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province.
Agate production areas in my country are also widely distributed, found in almost every province. The famous production areas include: Yunnan, Heilongjiang, Liaoning, Hebei, Xinjiang, Ningxia, Inner Mongolia and other provinces and regions.
For example, two agate agates from the Spring and Autumn Period were found in the Eastern Zhou Dynasty Tomb No. 1 in Langjiazhuang, Linzi, Shandong Province. The agate is milky white and translucent. The two vessels have the same shape, 8.5 cm long and 1.5 cm wide. The body is slender and dragon-like. A corner of the head protrudes. The body is curved and has a pointed tail, and a hole is drilled in the middle of the body for fastening.
The texture and shape of these two vessels are exactly the same, and they are composed of 6 groups. The stringing method can be divided into two types. Similar to those found in Qing Zhao's tomb. They are all in pairs, located next to the skeleton, legs, feet, or between the coffins at the feet.
Therefore, it is speculated that this kind of ornament may be in double rows under the hoop, and should match the hoop, but the number and connection method do not seem to be customized. Therefore, it is judged that these two agate chalices are dated to the late Spring and Autumn Period.
There are two ancient tombs from the early Spring and Autumn Period in Yimen Village in the southern suburbs of Baoji City, Shaanxi Province, and some agates were discovered. A set of agate ornaments, consisting of 108 agate objects and two jade objects, were stacked together. The objects decayed, and the original ornamentation condition is not completely clear. Agate is made into bamboo-shaped tubes, waist-drum-shaped tubes, bead-shaped tubes, and cylindrical tubes with raised tops.
Most of them are dark red, and a few are light red. The surface is polished, the color is natural, crystal bright, and some are transparent or translucent.
One of the dark red agates is round, with a flat bottom and a conical top. It is painted with 4 white rays from the top, each with a small white dot, and the white pigment particles are very fine. Two small pieces of jade and agate were found in a pile, both round and white, with some flaws. There are holes drilled on it, and it is decorated with hooked and modified animal mask patterns, feather-like thin lines, etc.
During the Warring States Period, precious agate jade was discovered. There were two of them, with diameters of 9.5 cm and 6 cm respectively. They were ring-shaped, with bright textures, regular processing, and smooth polishing. The ring surface is beveled, with flat and thin edges and thicker near the hole. The inner and outer edges of the ring are chamfered.
There are many records about agate in ancient Chinese books. In historical records before the Han Dynasty, agate was also called "Qiongyu" or "Red Jade". "Guangya" has the sayings of "agate stone and jade" and "jade red first jade".
For example, an agate sword from the Han Dynasty found in the Shuanglong Han Tomb in Haizhou, Jiangsu Province is 7 cm long and 2.4 cm wide. The agate is translucent, and the natural red texture is used to skillfully carve out raised ridges on the surface of the object. Mound-shaped, exquisite workmanship and bright colors.
An agate ball from the Han Dynasty was also found in Luoyang, Henan Province. The diameter of the ball is 3.3 centimeters, the color is dark brown, glassy, ??the surface is aged, and it has a weathered texture like "ripe pig liver". Judging from the aging, weathering, leather shell, and workmanship, it is concluded that it should be from the Han Dynasty.
Feather cups have been used as drinking utensils from the Warring States Period to the Han Dynasty. A Han Dynasty agate wine cup found in Shaanxi Province has a pattern of dragons piercing the clouds, which is the most famous in the mid-Han Dynasty. Typical ornamentation. It symbolizes a scene in which the mythical animal Chi plays and entertains in the heavenly palace.
The "Ma Nao Le Fu" written by Cao Pi, Emperor Wen of the Wei Dynasty, said: "Ma Nao, a member of the jade genus, came out of the Western Regions and was intertwined with literature and science, resembling agate, so the local people named it agate." Since it didn't come out of a horse's mouth, how was it formed? Wang Jia of the Jin Dynasty gave a weird answer in "History of Supplements? Gao Xin":
"One said: The agate is the blood of evil ghosts, which was condensed into this thing. In the past, the Yellow Emperor eliminated Chiyou and A swarm of evil spirits and monsters from all directions filled the rivers and valleys, forming puddles of blood and gathering bones like mountains. Within a few years, the blood was as solid as stone, the bones were as white as ashes, and the ointment flowed into springs. ”
It is also said that "there is a lot of ghost blood in the wild of Danqiu. If it turns into alchemy stone, it is also agate." The record of the so-called "agate, turned into ghost blood" in the Yellow Emperor's era adds a bit of weird color to agate.
Chen Zangqi of the Tang Dynasty wrote in "Supplementary Materials on Materia Medica": "It is so red that it looks like agate." Perhaps because this gem is shaped like a horse's brain, some barbarians say that agate comes from a horse's mouth. Spit out, as recorded in "Supplementary Materials of Materia Medica": "Hu people call it spit out from the horse's mouth."
The word agate may come from Buddhist scriptures. It is recorded in the "Miaoho Lotus Sutra": "The color is like a horse's head, so it is named after that." The Sanskrit original name "Asmagapo" means "agate". It can be seen that after Buddhism was introduced to our country, Qiongyu or Chiqiong were used. In my country, it is renamed "agate".
Agate is one of the Seven Treasures of Buddhism. It has been used as an evil spirit and amulet since ancient times. It symbolizes friendly love and hope and helps eliminate stress, fatigue, turbidity, etc.
The seven treasures mentioned in the "Prajna Sutra" are gold, silver, glass, coral, amber, agate, and agate.
In addition to chalcedony, the fine minerals that make up agate are sometimes found in small amounts of opal or cryptocrystalline granular quartz. Strictly speaking, if it does not have patterned features, it cannot be called agate, but can only be called chalcedony.
Pure agate is white. Due to the presence of other metals, it can appear in gray, brown, red, blue, green, emerald green, pink-green, black and other colors. Sometimes several colors are mixed or alternate. Agate blocks are available in transparent, translucent and opaque, with glassy to waxy luster.
There is a poignant legend about red agate in northern my country:
In northern my country, there is a famous river, which is Heilongjiang.
The river is as wide and flat as a large mirror, and the dazzling agate stones on the shore are like gems set in the frame of the mirror. They sway with the water, twinkling and twinkling. It is really beautiful!
It is said that a long time ago, on the shore with the most agate stones, there was a Daur city named Tolga. The leader of the city is called Duoyinqiabu. He has a 10-year-old son, Amoli, who has a pair of magical big eyes.
It is said that this child has many strange things. He can recognize all kinds of birds and animals right after he is born, and he can see the carp schools in the deepest part of the river. When he could just walk, he could go hunting and fishing with the adults.
In a golden autumn, Baldayi, the leader of a neighboring tribe, came to invite the leader of Duoyinqiabu and all the villagers to a banquet.
Before leaving, Duoyinqiabu called Amoli to him and said, "Amoli, please stay. With you in the walled city, everyone will feel relieved."
Amoli was like a playful deer, jumping and running, picking up the brightest and roundest agate stones on the beach. Picking it up, picking it up, Amoli's bright big eyes were suddenly flashed by a golden light, and he immediately ran towards the golden light.
Amoli came to the water's edge and plunged to the bottom of the water. After a while, Amoli came up holding an agate stone that was brighter than gold and rounder than a swan egg.
Amo Li held the golden agate and played with it and took photos, jumping up and down. When the sun went down, he was tired and sleepy. He lay on the grass that was softer than a blanket and warmer than a fur mattress, and fell asleep sweetly. The golden agate lay on his chest, emitting a charming golden light.
Suddenly, a black cloud floated over. Several large sailing ships quietly emerged from behind the promontory. At this time, Amoli woke up and was startled: Who are these people? He had yellow hair, blue eyes, a high nose, and a shaggy beard. He was holding a piece of household equipment with an iron tube in his hand... So Amo followed the old rules of the Daur people and stepped forward and said enthusiastically: "Your honorable Guests, where are you from?" Among this group of people, a "bearded man" in a robe said: "We are the loyal subjects of the great Tsar, the lord of the world." " Protection? Haha..." Amoli smiled happily. After laughing, he said: "Thank you Tsar for your kindness. Tell him that we Daur people never need the protection of outsiders!"
"The Bearded" looked greedily at the gold in Amoli's hand. Agate, winked and said: "Let's exchange, we also have our own treasures, look!" He asked his subordinates to open the hatch.
Amoli glanced at it and saw what kind of treasure it was. It was clearly some gravel smeared with wild boar blood. Amoli just shook his head and did not speak. "Big Bearded" said: "Little prince, are you willing to let me touch your gem?" Amoli thought, since he wanted to touch it and not take it away, he might as well let him touch it. So
he handed the agate to the bearded man. "Big Bearded" took the agate with trembling hands and put it in his arms without even looking at it. Amoli got angry and bumped into the "big beard". "Big Beard" was unexpectedly pushed and the golden agate fell from his body. Amoli quickly picked it up and ran towards the beacon left by his ancestors in the distance. "Catch him! Choke him to death!" With the roar of "Big Bearded", the robbers rushed over. Amoli rushed to the beacon tower and quickly took off his bow. With a "swish" sound, he shot a loud arrow into the distance. At this time, the robbers had surrounded the beacon tower...
Duoyinqiabu was drinking happily at a banquet held in Baldayi. Suddenly, a loud arrow fell on Duoyinqiabu and On a large animal skin spread in front of Baldai. Immediately, people put down the wine bowls and meat raised to their mouths: there must have been an accident at home.
Under the leadership of Duoyinqiabu, dozens of fast horses rushed towards Tolga Walled City. But it was too late. People saw thick smoke and fire rising from the beacon tower. Under the light of the fire, a group of people were pulling cattle and sheep, and some were carrying bundles of sable skins from the warehouse. ...
After a short but fierce battle, the robbers left several corpses behind and escaped alive on the boat.
People looked for Amoli everywhere, but until night fell and the fire went out, there was still no sign of Amoli. Duoyinqiabu and the whole village did not give up and continued to search.
Looking for it, suddenly, a red light shot out from the collapsed beacon tower. The red light became brighter and brighter, making the entire river, walled city and sky red. People immediately rushed to the beacon tower and found an agate stained with blood on a pile of jade-like bones.
Duoyinqiabu held up the agate stained with blood and said with tears: "If the blood on this is my son's, it will definitely be able to dissolve with my blood." As he said, he He bit his finger and dripped blood on the agate. The blood flowers quickly spread and merged with the original blood.
Holding the agate, Duoyinqia said with hatred: "If you had my son's soul, you would be able to shine a light on a demon in human skin."
Voice Just as it fell, I saw a tree reflected in the agate, with a small demonic shadow hiding on the tree. Duoyinqiabu immediately led his tribe to run towards a big tree. When the hunter shot his arrow into the thick leaves, a man with a bloody face fell from the tree. It turned out to be the bandit leader.
Doyinqiabu immediately drew his sword and assassinated him. Many human hairs and teeth were also found in his stomach and intestines... with the help of agate stones dyed red with Amoli's blood. Next, the Daur people finally defeated those demons, and the red agate got its name from then on. The most famous agate artifact is the animal-headed agate cup discovered in the Tang Dynasty cellar in Hejia Village, the southern suburb of Xi'an City, Shaanxi Province. It is 6.5 cm high, 15.6 cm long, and 5.9 cm in diameter.
It is made of orange-yellow and milky-white agate on a red ground. The upper part is nearly round, and the lower part is in the shape of an animal's head. The animal's head is round and has big eyes, looking forward, as if it is looking for and spying on something. There are two curved antelope horns on the animal's head, and its face looks like an ox, but it looks peaceful and elegant without any artificiality.
The snout of the animal head has a cage-like golden cap, which can be removed and has internal flow, which highlights the beauty of the color and shape of the animal head. This cup is finely crafted and has a glassy luster throughout, which is crystal clear and magnificent.
This agate cup is carved from a rare piece of multicolored sardonyx, with a realistic and vivid shape. The beast's mouth is inlaid with gold, which is the finishing touch. In fact, it is the stopper of the wine glass. Remove the stopper and the wine can flow out from here.
The pair of antelope horns on the head are spirally curved and connected to the cup body. There are two round convex strings just below the rim of the cup, with smooth and natural lines.
The material of this wine glass is rare and precious, and the craftsmen cleverly used the natural texture and shape of the material to carve it. The workmanship and craftsmanship are extremely perfect. It is the most exquisite piece of jade in the Tang Dynasty and unique in our country.
Li Shizhen's "Compendium of Materia Medica" said: There are many varieties of agate according to the thickness and shape of its patterns. Those with "onyx"-shaped bands are called "onyx". Among them, those with red bands are the most precious and are called "red onyx".
In addition, there are "banded agate", "city walled agate", "night agate", "moss agate", "brocade red agate", "zygote agate", "sauce spotted agate", " Varieties such as "cypress agate", "curved agate", "water gall agate".
There are also many "chalcedony" without patterns and patterns that are jade raw materials. According to the different colors, there are "carnelian", "green chalcedony", "green chalcedony", "blood chalcedony" and "jasper".
For example, the Ming Dynasty agate single-ear cup is 6.8 cm high and 9 cm in diameter. The cup is made of floral agate, with yellowish-brown markings in the off-white agate. The vessel is irregularly round, with a chi dragon embossed on one side as the handle of the cup. The chi dragon's two forelimbs and mouth rest on the rim of the cup. The lower limbs and tail are interconnected with the peach blossom branches and leaves carved in low relief on the outer wall of the vessel to form a vessel. foot.
The 4-character official script inscription "Qianlong Year System" is engraved on the bottom. The shape of this agate cup is the Ming Dynasty standard, the carving technique is the Ming Dynasty jade carving technique, and the mark should be carved after the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty. In the early Qing Dynasty, Yongzheng was diligent in his administration and made three portable agate seals. Qing Dynasty Yongzheng agate "Yizhai" seal, turtle button rectangular seal. The seal script reads "Yi Zhai".
The width is 1.3 cm, the length is 1.6 cm, the overall height is 1.6 cm, and the new height is 0.9 cm. In the Qing Dynasty, Yongzheng agate was "arrogant and arrogant. It is also called Wu Jie. It is called Wu Jie and it is used to punish scriptures and training". The surface is 1.8 cm square, the overall height is 1.6 cm, and the height is 0.9 cm. The Yongzheng agate "half-taqinshu" seal of the Qing Dynasty, and the square seal of Chi Niu. The seal script is "Half Couch Qin Script". The surface is 1.7 cm square, the overall height is 1.7 cm, and the new height is 1.2 cm.