Silk is one of the symbols of Chinese civilization, and it has a pivotal position in the fields of ancient Chinese trade, national politics, economy, and culture. China was once known as the "Silk Country" because of its abundance of silk. Silk is a precious gift and commodity which plays an important role in the development of China. From the initial "respect for ghosts and gods", it later became a popular commodity and replaced currency to a certain extent. All of these changes demonstrated the unique status o of Chinese silk.
How is Chinese Silk made?
Chinese silk as a high-grade textile, is obtained from silkworm pupa. Chinese people have had a long tradition of silkworm breeding and weaving. Hence the old saying goes that “Men do farm work and women engage in spinning and weaving”. when the silkworms are ready to go into the bushes to spin their cocoons, put the cocoons into the boiling water, and reel off the raw silk. Silk textile is finally made after a series of manufacturing operation,like tentering of weft, jacquard weaving, knitting and weaving.
Chinese silk cheongsam
Origins and Development
China is the first nation on earth to use mulberry silk, thus the ancient name of Seres. Archaeologists have found a 6000-year-old ivory cup with silkworm texture at the Hemudu Site in Yuyao, Zhejiang Province, and the oldest surviving silk productions including silk fabric pieces, silk ribbons and silk threads at Qianshanyang Site in Huzhou, Zhejiang Province. Therefore, we can see that Chinese silk production began no later than the Neolithic Age.
On the oracle inscriptions of the Shang Dynasty (1600 -1046 BC) on tortoiseshells or animal bones, there are characters of mulberry, silkworm and silk. Silk industry developed in the Spring and Autumn, and the Warring State Period (770 - 221BC). Several silk centers were established in today’s Shandong Province, Kaifeng,Zhuixian, Hunan Province and Shaoxing. In Han Dynasty (202 - 220BC), the complicated jacquard loom was formed, and today’s Sichuan Province became anther silk production center. When coming to the Tang and Song dynasties (618 - 1279), the silk manufacturing technology was further improved, and the silk fabric production largely increased. Ancient Chinese silk industry reached its highest level in beauty, texturing and workmanship in Ming and Qing dynasties (1368 - 1912), silk fabrics and clothing were not longer exclusive to the nobles. Businessmen and scholars also dressed in silk.
Since the ancient times, silk has been one of China's exports. Chinese fine silks were exported during the Western Han Dynasty in the second century BC. A portion of the exports was shipped to Korean and Japan, but the majority was carried in camel’s back along the famous caravan route known as the ‘Silk Road' to the Middle East, and eventually reaching Western Europe.
Shanghai, Suzhou and Hangzhou are famous cities for producing the silk products where there are silk museums opening to the public to visit. If you are interested in Chinese silk culture, why not join in our 9 Days Best Scenery Trip Around Shanghaito deeply explore the Chinese silk.
Kinds of Chinese Silk
So far as texture and workmanship are concerned, there are four kinds of Chinese silk which can be ranged as the finest and most popular. They are made respectively in Jiangsu, Hunan, Sichuan and Guangdong Provinces.
After thousands of years of development and influenced by geographical conditions, local customs, art and culture, each of these silks has evolved a style of its own and some characteristics. Some favour fine composition, bright color and great varieties, and some lay stress on naturalness and follow the principle that the silk thread should go with the growth or development of the things or animals to be embroidered.
Characteristics of Silk
1. Feeling of comfort. Real silk contains 100% natural silk, which can provide body feeling of comfort. Real silk is made from azelon, which has perfect biocompatibility with body.
2. Good moisture absorption and moisture releasability. The –CHNH and -NH2 silk contained can absorb or release the moisture in the air. The similar hydrophilic group can help our skin keep some moisture and protect from dry at room-temperature, and dissipate body heat and make our body cool in summer days. Besides, silk has strong warmth retention property. Its special fiber structure can prevent the heat dissipate in winter days.
3. Good acoustic absorption, dust absorption, and heat resistance. High voidage makes the real silk with good acoustic absorption, dust absorption. Except from making clothing, silk can also be made of carpet, curtain, and wall cloth, etc. The combustion temperature of silk is at 300℃~400℃，so it has good flame-retardant property.
4. Uvioresistant performance. The tryptophan and tyrosine in the silk fibroin have good uvioresistant performance. After absorbing ultraviolet rays, silk will have chemical reaction, that’s why the silk is easy to be yellowing.
Chinese silk
Four Great Centers of Chinese silk
Hangzhou in Zhejiang Province
The most famous silk production area in China, Hangzhou has exported silk products via ancient Silk Road ever since Han Dynasty, and now features a silk commodity street (Hangzhou silk market) selling all kinds of silk, silk clothing, silk scarves, ties,etc, and the China Silk Museum beside West Lake. As the biggest silk museum in the world, China Silk Museum possesses a wealth of historical silk relics and modern fine silk.
Suzhou in Jiangsu Province
Suzhou has been the silk production center since Tang Dynasty and boasts China’s first professional silk museum. Suzhou’s satin, Nanjing’s brocade and Hangzhou’s silk gauze are among the finest silk in East China. If you’ll travel to Suzhou and want to buy the silk, go visit the Suzhou Silk market in Mudu Old Town.
Huzhou in Zhejiang Province
Huzhou is renowned for producing the finest Chinese silk fabrics. Huzhou Silk Market covers an area of 100,000 square meters, and offers different grades of silk products.
Shengze in Jiangsu Province
Shengze Town is one of China’s important silk production centers and silk distribution centers. The Eastern Silk Market China in Shengze houses more than 3000 silk shops with over 2000 types of silk.
China Silk Museum
Chinese Silk Souvenirs
With its unique texture, exquisite skills, and strong national style, Chinese silk has become more and more popular throughout the world. It is no exaggeration to say that it’s one of the symbols that can represent China to the China. Therefore, many foreign tourists like to buy some silk articles as gifts to send their friends when they travel China.
Ask a Question
