Jade Pendants (玉佩 yù pèi) were ornamental jade pieces worn by nobility as symbols of status and Confucian virtue. The gentle sound of jade pendants announced the approach of important figures. During the Three Kingdoms, jade remained highly valued despite the turmoil, representing continuity of Han culture.
Historical context
Artifacts and ceremonial objects carried deep symbolic meaning during the Three Kingdoms period. They represented continuity of Han culture, legitimate authority, and the refined tastes of the aristocracy even amid constant warfare.
References
- Chen Shou, Records of the Three Kingdoms (三国志)
- Luo Guanzhong, Romance of the Three Kingdoms (三国演义)