If Treasures Could Talk: What secrets could the ancient jade turtle reveal?

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Time to check out some of China's most valuable ancient treasures. Today we resume our special series If Treasures Could Talk. The series was a hit across China, inspiring many young viewers to learn more about their country's past. Today we present you the Ling-Jia-Tan Jade Plaque Jade Turtle.

You have a new message from an ancient treasure. Jade Plaque Jade Turtle Ling Jia Tan Jade Plaque Jade Turtle Secrets carved in jade.

There are those who believe it was used in astrology; others say it's an early form of the "Bagua", or 8 trigrams. Or perhaps it's a calendar. And yet others claim it's the original of the fabled Luo Scroll. What everyone agrees on, is that it reveals the remarkably high level of prehistoric culture and knowledge in the place it was found; Lingjiatan in Anhui province.

The jade plaque was discovered, sandwiched between the shell and belly of the jade turtle.

The turtle's shell contains eight holes, drilled roughly symmetrically, and its belly, five – one of them in the front centre. As for the plaque, it's carved with a circle, divided by straight lines into eight segments. From the circumference, four arrows extend to the plaque's corners.

Apparently, the jade turtle and plaque were an aid, used in simple calculations of numerals and direction. However, closer inspection suggests that they may hold far more complex secrets.

The four holes on each side of the turtle's shell make a total of eight. Plus five in the belly. Placed together, there are five in the middle and four on each side, corresponding roughly with the sections of a real turtle's shell.

The plaque also has holes drilled in it, along each side. Jade Figurines Standing Sitting. Among other finds at the Lingjiatan site are six jade figurines. Strangely, in all of them the hands are pressed against the chest, with the fingers extended.

Just as the human hand has five fingers, so in traditional Chinese culture there are five elements. The ancient Chinese arranged the numbers from one to ten, to produce an interesting numerical phenomenon. Odd Numbers Even Numbers.

One, two, three, four and five were associated with the upper left hand, and six, seven, eight, nine and ten, with the lower right.

Luo Scroll This is the Luo Scroll – the magic square believed to depict the universal order of all things. It reflects a state of perfect balance. Adding together the numbers in any direction produces the same result - 15. The nine holes at the top of the jade plaque and four at the bottom, adhere to this pattern.

Some people argue that the jade plaque must be the original Luo Scroll, and the earliest example of the Bagua eight trigrams.

The eight-pointed star at the centre is another ancient symbol. Still today, it retains its significance in several ethnic cultures in China, and around the world. Sadly, the power of such symbols to reveal the secrets of nature, is now largely ignored.

Jade Eagle The same eight-pointed star also appears on a jade eagle. It's one of many more objects found at Lingjiatan that reveal a whole world of jade, annuli, semi- annuli, axeheads, adzes, hoops, bracelets, penannuli, and necklace beads.

Jade Triangle Ornament Jade Boar Jade Crown Ornament Jade Dragon.

The range and depth of the cultural symbolism uncovered there make Lingjiatan unique. Yet this high point of prehistoric civilization remains surprisingly little-known.

Jade Dragon Phoenix Pendant Five excavations to date have uncovered just one eight-hundredth of the Lingjiatan site's estimated 1.6 million square metres. There seems little doubt that Lingjiatan has many more fascinating discoveries to share. You have more new messages waiting.

You can find this episode and all others of If Treasures Could Talk in the Culture section of our website www-dot-cgtn-dot-com.