Introduction to Silk
Silk is a type of fabric made from silk threads or synthetic fibers. It refers to textiles that are woven purely from silk or a combination of materials. Silk is a specialty of China. The Han people invented and began mass-producing silk products, which initiated the first large-scale trade exchange between the East and West, known as the Silk Road. Starting from the Western Han Dynasty, Chinese silk was exported in large quantities, becoming a world-renowned product. The route from China to the West was referred to by Europeans as the “Silk Road,” and China was called the “Silk Country.”
Historical Development
Experts believe that based on archaeological discoveries, silk production in China began as early as 5,000 to 6,000 years ago during the Neolithic period. By the Shang Dynasty, silk production had already started to take shape, with advanced craftsmanship and complex weaving techniques.
During the Western Zhou and the Spring and Autumn Periods, silk was produced in nearly all regions, leading to a rich variety of silk patterns, mainly categorized into three types: juan (fine silk), qi (decorative silk), and jin (brocade).
The prolonged wars during the Three Kingdoms, Jin Dynasties, and Northern and Southern Dynasties severely damaged the economy of the Yellow River region. By the Sui Dynasty, silk production had shifted to the Yangtze River area.
The Tang Dynasty marked the peak of silk production, achieving unprecedented levels in quantity, quality, and variety. During the Song and Yuan Dynasties, advancements in sericulture technology led to a brief resurgence of silk’s prominence.
In the Ming and Qing Dynasties, the rise of capitalism brought changes to silk production and trade, with an increasing trend towards commercialization and rapid growth in overseas trade of silk products.