In 1954, archaeologists discovered a unique tomb dating back to the Ming Dynasty on Wufeng Mountain in Jiangsu Province, China. This is a joint burial tomb where the remains of one man and four women were found.
This discovery surprised experts, as typical joint burial tombs usually contain only two individuals. This tomb had one man but an astonishing four women, suggesting that the owner of the tomb was certainly not an ordinary person.
After studying the inscriptions on the stele and the clues uncovered during the excavation, archaeologists eventually identified the owner of the tomb as Zhang Anwan, a scholar from the Ming Dynasty. The four women discovered alongside him were his wife and concubines.
However, the burial practices in this Ming Dynasty tomb differ significantly from traditional customs. According to archaeologists, in feudal times, only the principal wife was allowed to be buried with her husband, while the concubines were typically interred separately.
In this tomb, however, the concubines were buried alongside the principal wife, which is quite rare. This may indicate that the wife and concubines lived together harmoniously.
During the excavation, experts noted that the burial goods of the tomb’s owner were unremarkable. However, they were thrilled to discover a treasure placed on the head of one of the concubines: a hairpin featuring a golden cicada on a piece of jade.
Despite its small size, this treasure is exquisitely crafted. No one could have anticipated that such a finely crafted golden cicada would be found in the burial site of a concubine.
“Golden Cicada on Jade Leaf” – the golden cicada and jade found in the ancient Ming Dynasty tomb.
The golden cicada is remarkably lifelike, with clear wing patterns visible. The jade leaf was crafted from Yangzhi white jade, a precious gem of the highest quality from ancient times. The jade leaf is intricately carved, showcasing even the leaf’s veins.
The perfect combination of these two exquisite items astonished experts. Even in today’s advanced technological era, very few can produce such fine artifacts. This highlights the high level of craftsmanship and aesthetic standards of ancient artisans.
Overall, the golden cicada on the jade leaf is a rare treasure. Reports suggest that the cicada weighs up to 80 grams and has a gold content of 90%. Experts estimate its value to be around 900 million yuan (approximately 3.254 trillion VND). Both in the past and present, this pair of “Golden Cicada on Jade Leaf” remains highly valuable and is greatly esteemed by experts.
Moreover, experts believe that the value of this treasure is even harder to quantify because it is not only precious in monetary terms but also holds historical significance. Notably, its intact and vivid condition after hundreds of years in an ancient tomb demonstrates the masterful craftsmanship of Ming Dynasty artisans.
Why was the treasure placed on the concubine’s head?
In ancient times, cicadas were not merely ordinary insects; they held profound symbolic meanings. There is an old saying: “The cicada sheds its skin.” Literally, this refers to the cicada breaking free from its shell. Additionally, cicadas often disappear in autumn and reappear the following summer. Thus, since ancient times, cicadas have symbolized the cycle of beginnings and endings.
The golden cicada placed in the ancient tomb symbolizes the hope that, like the cicada, one can repeat the cycle. This also suggests that the tomb’s owner wished for the woman he loved to rest in peace and be reborn quickly. With many profound implications, placing the “Golden Cicada on Jade Leaf” on the concubine’s head indicates that the tomb’s owner cared for, cherished, and had deep affection for this woman.
Furthermore, after research, experts discovered that Zhang Anwan’s background was not particularly high. In modern society, he might be considered part of the middle class, not from a powerful family at that time. Nevertheless, the position of the most valuable treasure in the tomb indicates that Zhang Anwan’s lifelong love was for this concubine.
It is not an exaggeration to say that the golden cicada hairpin on the jade leaf could symbolize the owner’s love for his concubine, which defied the notions of feudal society. This is indeed a love story of “eternal love” that is enviable, as concubines generally held a much lower status and were not valued as highly as the principal wife.
The golden cicada on the jade leaf is currently preserved at the Nanjing Museum and has become a treasured artifact there.
