What is the significance of the 12 strands of jade hanging in front of the dragon crown of Emperor Qin Shi Huang?
During court sessions, Qin Shi Huang often wore a special crown adorned with two strands of golden silk and 12 strands of jade hanging in front of his face.
The crown or dragon hat of the emperor varied throughout different dynasties. During the Zhou and Han dynasties, emperors typically wore the Ping Tian crown. These crowns featured 12 strands of jade beads attached to golden threads hanging in front.
What secrets does the dragon crown of Qin Shi Huang hold? Photo: Sohu
Despite its high aesthetic value, it must be acknowledged that these strands of jade were quite inconvenient as they obstructed vision and could be cumbersome when moving, constantly swaying with each step. However, this design had its own significance!
The Ping Tian crown was embroidered with golden threads, adorned with 99 exquisite pearls, and the silk draping over the crown was embroidered with dragons, symbolizing power.
The 12 jade beads strung together were all handcrafted white pearls intricately carved.
In China, the first appearance of the 12 strands of jade dates back to the Zhou dynasty, attached to the headwear worn during ceremonial activities. The distance between each bead was 1 cm. During this period, all ministers could wear the Ping Tian crown.
However, by the time of the Han dynasty, the crown adorned with jade strands developed into a royal crown that only the emperor could wear.
Before becoming emperors, princes preparing for succession had to learn how to adjust and manage the 12 strands of jade to convey authority and dignity with each movement. They had to walk calmly because if they moved too quickly, the beads would sway and potentially strike their faces.
The emperor is the Son of Heaven, and thus, commoners and ministers were not allowed to look directly into the emperor’s face or read his thoughts; doing so would be considered sacrilegious. Therefore, the 12 strands of jade served to prevent others from looking directly into the emperor’s eyes, enhancing the majesty of the Son of Heaven.
Moreover, the 12 strands of jade also reminded the emperor of a fundamental truth: even the leader of a nation, when faced with obstacles, cannot fully comprehend every situation. Therefore, when making decisions for the country, the emperor must remain absolutely clear-headed and should not make unilateral decisions without considering the advice of his ministers.
