E54 Oval Plain Jade Bi

E54 Oval Plain Jade Bi (Length: 27.20cm, Width: 11.65cm)

Sky green jade Bi, one of the six vessels in Zhou Dynasty, are simple and plain. They are made of sky green jade and used to worship the heaven. In ancient times, there was the idea that the heaven is round and the earth is square. When sacrificing to the heaven, one of the vessels representing the God of heaven should be chosen. Naturally, the round vessels should be chosen.

The Bi is special in the six vessels. The other five vessels are related to the five elements. The heaven is round and the earth is square, and also uses the color of the sky. The ancients often said "vast sky". The book of Erya explained that "in spring, everything begins to grow, and its color is pale, so it said “sky green” .The color of sky green reflects the nature, humanity and the politicization of religion in the Zhou Dynasty. Although this Oval Plain Jade Bi is not round, it is a plain body. The Duke of Zhou made rites and music, and all the rites and utensils were "based on plain".

Even in the Warring States period, though the rites were broken, they still respected "six auspicious" and "six vessals", as well as the four sides of the world of rites. However, they had some changes with the shape of the Western Zhou Dynasty, such as the number of flat head GUIs in the Western Zhou Dynasty, and the peak head GUIs in the spring and Autumn Warring States period. 

In the environment of the hundreds of flowers blooming in the Warring States Period, and a hundred schools of thought contending, it was also possible that the shape of jade Bi sacrifice of offering the heavens changed from round to oval. This jade is very likely to be used as a sacrifice for heaven.

Its jade is dense and moist. The edges of the jade jade are sharp and unique to the Warring States Period, and its erosion is heavy and it can still maintain its original appearance. It is also quite moist, ancient and mottled, and has a flavor that is not easy to obtain. This very special ritual is unique in the world! Historical value is difficult to estimate!