The Secret Language of Jade: Decoding the Symbolism in Chinese Carvings
A jade carving is never just a depiction of an object; it is a coded message, a three-dimensional poem, and a vessel of cultural wisdom. For millennia, Chinese artisans have imbued jade with layers of meaning through clever puns, symbolic associations, and auspicious motifs. Understanding this “language” transforms a beautiful object into a deeply meaningful artifact. This guide unlocks the primary methods used to interpret jade carvings, allowing you to appreciate the stories and blessings carved in stone.
一件玉雕絕不僅僅是對物體的描繪；它是一段 編碼的訊息、一首立體的詩歌，也是文化智慧的載體 。數千年來，中國匠人通過巧妙的 諧音、象徵聯想和吉祥圖案 ，為玉石賦予了多層次的含義。理解這種「語言」能將一件美麗的物品轉變為深具意義的文物。本指南將解開詮釋玉雕的主要方法，讓您領略雕刻於石中的故事與祝福。
The Four Keys to Interpretation: How Meaning is Encoded
Chinese culture employs a multi-layered system to embed meaning into jade art. Here are the four primary interpretive lenses:
中國文化運用多層次的系統，將意義嵌入玉雕藝術。以下是四種主要的詮釋角度：
1. Homophonic Pun (諧音解釋) – The Power of Sound
This is the most playful and widespread method. It relies on words that sound identical or similar but have different meanings. The carving represents one word, but the blessing comes from its homophone.
這是最巧妙且廣泛使用的方法。它依賴於 發音相同或相似 但意義不同的詞語。雕刻代表一個詞，但祝福來自其諧音。
- Example 實例: A carving of “鞋” (xié, shoe) sounds like “谐” (xié, harmony). Thus, it symbolizes “和諧” (héxié, harmony). In some southern dialects, “shoe” sounds like “孩” (hái, child), making it a wish for a child.
- 實例: 「鞋」 的發音與 「谐」 相同。因此，它象徵著 「和諧」 。在一些南方方言中，「鞋」的發音類似 「孩」 ，使其成為對孩子的祝福。
- Another Classic 另一經典: “魚” (yú, fish) sounds like “余” (yú, surplus/abundance). Hence, a fish represents “年年有餘” (nián nián yǒu yú, may you have surplus year after year).
- 另一經典: 「魚」 的發音與 「余」 （富餘）相同。因此，魚代表 「年年有餘」 。
2. Symbolic Meaning (意義解釋) – Cultural Associations
When a pun doesn’t fit, interpretation shifts to the object’s inherent cultural symbolism, often rooted in literature, history, or folklore.
當諧音不適用時，詮釋便轉向物體 固有的文化象徵意義 ，通常根源於文學、歷史或民間傳說。
- Example 實例: The “牡丹” (mǔdān, peony) is the “King of Flowers,” symbolizing wealth, honor, and prosperity (花開富貴).
- 實例: 「牡丹」 是「花中之王」，象徵著 富貴與榮華（花開富貴） 。
- Example 實例: The “桃子” (táozi, peach) is the fruit of immortality in myth, representing longevity (壽).
- 實例: 「桃子」 是神話中的仙果，代表 長壽（壽） 。
3. Color Significance (顏色解釋) – Hues as Messengers
The color of the depicted object or the jade itself carries meaning. This is especially potent in multicolored jadeite.
所描繪物體的顏色或玉石本身的顏色承載著意義。這在 多色翡翠 中尤其顯著。
- Example 實例: A “玉米” (yùmǐ, corn) is golden yellow. Gold (“金” jīn) symbolizes wealth. Combined with the “jade” (“玉” yù) of the material, it creates the blessing “金玉滿堂” (jīn yù mǎn táng, may your hall be filled with gold and jade—great wealth).
- 實例: 「玉米」 是金黃色的。金色（「金」）象徵財富。與材質的「玉」相結合，便產生了 「金玉滿堂」 （財富豐盈）的祝福。
- Example 實例: Red (紅色) is for joy and celebration; Green (綠色) is for vitality and growth; Purple (紫色) is for nobility and romance.
- 實例: 紅色 代表喜慶； 綠色 代表活力與生機； 紫色 代表貴氣與浪漫。
4. Form and Shape (形狀解釋) – The Visual Metaphor
The physical form of the carving directly suggests its meaning.
雕刻的物理形態直接暗示其含義。
- Example 實例: A carving shaped like a hand can be a “佛手” (fóshǒu, Buddha’s hand/citron), which sounds like “福壽” (fú shòu, fortune and longevity). It is also seen as a “抓財手” (zhuā cái shǒu, hand that grasps wealth).
- 實例: 形狀像 手 的雕刻可以是 「佛手」 ，其發音類似 「福壽」 。它也被視為 「抓財手」 。
- Example 實例: A simple hollowed disc is a “平安扣” (píng’ān kòu, peace buckle), representing safety and smooth, unbroken cycles of life.
- 實例: 簡單的 中空圓環 是 「平安扣」 ，代表平安與生命順遂圓滿。
Decoding Classic Motifs: From Ruyi to Wucai Jade
Let’s apply these keys to some of the most revered motifs in jade carving:
讓我們運用這些鑰匙來解讀一些玉雕中最受尊崇的圖案：
The Ruyi Scepter (如意)
Form & Meaning: Originally a back-scratcher (literally “as you wish”), its shape—with a cloud or lingzhi mushroom head—evolved into a powerful symbol. It represents the fulfillment of all wishes, authority, and good fortune. In the Qing dynasty, it was an essential ceremonial object, gifted to signify blessings for a new reign or diplomatic friendship.
形態與意義： 最初是一種癢癢撓（字面意思「如你所願」），其 雲頭或靈芝頭 的形狀逐漸演變為一個強大的象徵。它代表著 心想事成、權力與好運 。在清朝，它是重要的禮儀物品，贈送如意象徵著對新朝的祝福或外交友誼。
Fu Lu Shou (福祿壽) – The Triad of Blessings
This trio represents the pinnacle of auspicious wishes: Happiness (福), Prosperity (祿), and Longevity (壽).
這三者代表了吉祥願望的頂峰： 福、祿、壽 。
- In Jadeite 在翡翠中: They are brilliantly represented by three colors in one stone: “Fú” by red (fei), “Lù” by green (cui), and “Shòu” by black/green (mo cui). A “Fú Lù Shòu” jadeite piece is exceptionally rare and precious.
- 在翡翠中： 它們完美地由一塊石頭上的三種顏色代表： 「福」為紅色（翡），「祿」為綠色（翠），「壽」為黑綠色（墨翠） 。一件「福祿壽」翡翠極為稀有珍貴。
- Cultural Meaning 文化意義: Fu encompasses happiness, good luck, and family harmony. Lu signifies official rank, salary, and social success. Shou is the wish for a long, healthy life, the ultimate blessing.
- 文化意義： 福 涵蓋幸福、好運與家庭和睦。 祿 象徵官祿、俸祿與社會成就。 壽 是對長壽健康的祈願，是終極的祝福。
Lulutong (路路通) – “All Paths Open”
Form & Meaning: A small, hollow cylinder or bead, often carved with ancient coin patterns. Its hollow center symbolizes that “all roads are open and clear.” It is a wish for unobstructed success, smooth sailing in all endeavors, and lifelong peace.
形態與意義： 一種 中空的柱體或珠子 ，常雕刻古錢圖案。其中空的中心象徵著 「路路暢通」 。這是對 事業亨通、諸事順遂、一生平安 的祈願。
Wucai Jade (五彩玉) – “Five-Color Jade”
Color & Meaning: A jade piece displaying five or more distinct colors (e.g., white, green, purple, red, yellow) is considered a marvel of nature. The phrase “家有五彩玉，勝似萬兩金” (A home with Wucai Jade is better than ten thousand taels of gold) speaks to its supreme auspiciousness. It represents the harmonious gathering of all blessings (五福臨門) and a life of joy, wealth, longevity, happiness, and peace.
顏色與意義： 一件呈現 五種或更多鮮明顏色 （例如白、綠、紫、紅、黃）的玉石被視為大自然的奇蹟。俗語 「家有五彩玉，勝似萬兩金」 說明了其極致的吉祥寓意。它代表著 所有福氣的和諧匯聚（五福臨門） ，以及 歡樂、財富、長壽、幸福與平安 的生活。
Conclusion: Your Journey into Meaningful Collection
Armed with this knowledge, you can now look at a jade carving and begin a dialogue. Is that bat (蝠) a pun for “fortune (福)”? Is that gourd (葫蘆) a symbol of health and immortality due to its shape and use as a medicine container? This interpretive framework enriches every piece.
掌握了這些知識，您現在可以端詳一件玉雕並開始與之對話。那隻 蝙蝠 是否是 「福」 的諧音？那個 葫蘆 是否因其形狀和作為藥用容器的用途，而成為 健康與長生 的象徵？這種詮釋框架讓每一件作品都更加豐富。
For the collector, this transforms acquisition from an aesthetic choice to a cultural exploration. When you choose a piece of jade, you are not just selecting a stone; you are inviting a story, a wish, and a piece of timeless wisdom into your life.
對收藏家而言，這將收藏從美學選擇轉變為文化探索。當您選擇一件玉器時，您不僅是在挑選一塊石頭；您是在 邀請一個故事、一份祝福和一片永恆的智慧進入您的生活 。
