Cicadas 蝉 Chán
Cicadas represented rebirth and immortality in ancient China. Burials with Jade coverings can be traced back to Neolithic cultures, essentially, the last part of the stone age. This Jade Cicada is from the Han Dynasty (206 BC- 225 CE) and was used for burial purposes and placed on the tongue.
Cicada. Han dynasty (206 BCE-220 CE). China. Nephrite. The Avery Brundage Collection, B60J583.
*Travel Tip* Listening to Cicadas at Wuzhen Water Town.
*Added Bonus* The New York Times recently posted an article about the relationship of singing insects in Chinese culture.
