On the evening of 2nd December, 2015, Professor Yang Ruzeng was invited to the guest speaker of Science & Humanity Forum and brought us the report of “Nephrite and Chinese Jade Culture”. The report took place in lecture hall on the first floor of Administration Building and was hosted by Ms. Fang Hui, Secretary of General Party Branch of SPEA. Over one hundred students were present.
Professor Yang Ruzeng teaches Gemology in Tongji University. He is the member of the Gemmological Association of Great Britain (Gem-A), Diamond High Council of Belgium. He takes the position of standing vice director of Committee of Gemology, Shanghai Geology Society, and member of Metal Art Professional Committee of Chinese Arts and Crafts Society, Environmental Mineralogy Professional Committee of National Rock and Mineral Society, Shanghai Jewelry Industry Association. He works on gem and jade identification study and teaching for a long time and he is the responsible person of Shanghai public “Jewelry Identification and Marketing Management”, undergraduate major establishment and teaching work. His teaching and academic study achievements were awarded with second prize of Teaching Achievements of Ministry of Education, first prize of Shanghai Teaching Achievement and Innovation Prize of National Spark Cup.
Lecture started with the origin and development of jade objects in China. Professor Yang introduced the place of origin, basic characteristics, variety and classification to students as basic knowledge. Then he led students to understand the jade culture by showing pictures in different times, from Jade-Yue (an axe made of jade in ancient China) in Xia and Shang Dynasty to the jade inlayed in Beijing Olympic Games Medals. He pointed out that the jade culture is an outstanding feature that differentiates Chinese Culture from other culture in the world. The mystery of Kunlun Mountain, the affinity of Chinese political culture and jade, and “jade virtue” originated from Confucianism gave birth to the special Chinese jade culture which is of great importance to the development of other culture in the world. Jade culture is the embodiment of oriental spirit and the material basement of essence of Chinese traditional culture. He also applied idioms from Book of Songs, Shuo Wen Jie Zi which describes Jade, such as “better die as a jade”( It is better to die when life is a disgrace.), “transfer weapons to jade and silk” (bury the hatchet), and “One flaw cannot obscure the splendor of the jade”( Defects cannot belittle virtues”). These idioms shows that jade is the symbol of the spirits of gentle, modest, honest, upright, steadfast, precious, noble, beautiful in Chinese traditional culture. From the ancient China to today, we see virtues and righteousness as important. No matter which class we are in, all the people see jade as the representative of Chinese culture, the footstone of ethnic culture and embodiment of sentiment and virtues.
After that, Professor Yang introduced the concepts, formation and production of diamond, amber and beeswax as well as the practical skills of election, wearing and maintenance, which arose students’ great attention and interests.
At end of the lecture, Professor Yang discussed with students in the aspects of the making of Beijing Olympic Games Medals, identification of jade objects, differences between amber and beeswax.
This lecture not only broadened students’ horizon, enriched their knowledge, but also strengthen their sense of national pride and inspired their patriotism.
(Article: Fu Bo, Photo: Mo Zhiyan, He Qingzhe, Reviewer: Fang Hui)