Oriental Land of Silk

2 min read

Silk made such an early debut in Chinese history, that it is even more time-honored than the four great inventions of ancient China (the compass, gunpowder, papermaking, and printing). The contributions it made to human beings are no inferior to those of the four great inventions, and it won ancient China a graceful name”the land of silk”. Silk is not only discovered in ancient China as the best materials for clothing, but also boasts a very close relation with the Chinese culture.

Oriental Land of Silk

Ancient China is the home of silk, and silk making in China has a history of over five thousand years. Our ancestors first learnt mulberry planting, silkworm rearing, silk reeling and weaving early in the Neolithic period. Later, the landscape of mulberries and farmland, as well as the life of men tilling and women weaving stood as the most appealing scene in rural area for thousands of years. Silk also took an important role in the early civilization in ancient China, and constituted a large proportion in its exportation. In one word, silk has always been the treasure of the oriental land-China.

Then, how was gorgeous silk transported to the west where it won its supreme fame? Through the Silk Road. An extensive, interconnected network of trade routes, the Silk Road was the golden bridge that connected Asia with Europe and Africa, and incessantly transported Chinese silk to other countries. Before silk entered Europe, wool and linen were the main materials for clothing in ancient Greece and Rome. What a surprise and happiness for them when they touched the smooth and brilliant Chinese silk! When silk first arrived in the western countries, it was considered the most precious material for clothes, which was even more valuable than gold. These silk textiles shining with glory of human wisdom won the praise of the world.

It was also through the Silk Road that the techniques of silk making got spread around, which helped promote weaving techniques in other countries. As a result, silk not only left a brilliant chapter in Chinese civilization, but also made great contributions to the world. China is therefore reputed as the Land of Silk.