Jadeology Episode 17: The Huang — A Jade Piece for the Queen in Neolithic Times

This elegant half-rounded jade piece is called a Huang (璜)—one of the most ancient jade forms in Chinese history. It first appeared in the Neolithic period, flourished during the Liangzhu and Songze cultures, and continued through Longshan into the Xia Dynasty.

This particular style is a full semicircle, known as Ta Huang (large huang), as named by Wu Dacheng in his classic jade studies. Ta Huang is extremely rare.

According to early belief systems, the bi-disc (璧) symbolized Heaven or the Sun. The huang, as a half-disc, was understood to represent half of Heaven—associated with winter, the moon, and the time of storing provisions when vegetation ceased. As described in the Zhou Li (Rites of Zhou), the huang embodied this symbolic seasonal and cosmological meaning.

It was also considered a jade form associated with female leaders or queens in ancient society.

The Evolution of Huang

During the Liangzhu period, the huang was clearly defined by its half-rounded shape. In the Longshan period, we still see large huang pieces with distinctive Longshan motifs. However, after the Xia Dynasty, this original semicircular design began to vanish.

Instead, we start to see huang shaped more like narrow arcs—⅓ or ¼ circles—with thinner, curved bands. Most of the huang we see today come from the Zhou Dynasty, and they differ significantly from their Neolithic ancestors.

So, why did the shape change so drastically?

Not only huang, but many original jade forms disappeared over time. Their ancient images faded into obscurity, and later dynasties reinterpreted them—often reshaping and redesigning them according to contemporary aesthetics and beliefs. These later versions retained only fragments of the original cosmological meaning and became smaller in scale, marked by their own era’s surface designs.

In many ways, Zhou became the dividing line—the threshold after which jade form and meaning were reimagined.

Four-Point Jade Analysis

Material: Translucent white jade.

Stain & Patina: Soft black staining deeply embedded in the jade body, with a rich, natural patina. The edges display white calcium spots—consistent with great age.

Design: This full semicircular jade piece has finely beveled edges, thinned from both sides. At the top center is a small, neatly carved half-round notch, with two tiny perforations for hanging. The grooved edges suggest a connection to early blade forms—possibly evolving from half-moon-shaped blades into dulled ceremonial pieces like this huang.

The design features a full-bodied deity-cow figure, characterized by large, expressive eyes, a broad nose, and fully bent legs. Perched on either top corner is a bird—one on each side. This powerful composition—a sacred beast flanked by birds—reflects a royal standard, suggesting that the piece was made for a queen, not an ordinary individual.

Craftsmanship: Delicately carved with a graduated slope, making the center the thickest point. The small notch at the top mimics the central hole of a bi-disc, honoring the concept that huang is "half a bi." The carving is precise, with carefully controlled thickness and elegant balance—hallmarks of high ritual craftsmanship.

Final Thought:

 This exquisite huang reveals the forgotten power and symbolism of early jade culture—and reaffirms how much was lost and transformed after the Xia Dynasty. It stands as a precious relic of Neolithic wisdom, artistry, and female leadership.