ZHOU  DYNASTY 1027-256 BC

The Zhou (Chou) rose from a semi-nomadic people to rule China for Eight Hundred years. The origin of the Zhou is unknown and there are scholars who believe they migrated from northern Iran.

Over the long history of the Zhou Dynasty (commonly pronounced "Joe" in English), China went from a tribal people even more obscure than the Shang to a flourishing, fully documented historical civilization. What is known about the Zhou is that they were vassals of the Shang and lived toward the end of the Shang Empire in Wei River Valley of central Shaanxi Province. In 1040 B.C. the Zhou declared that Heaven has forsaken the Shang ruling house and decreed them unholy to rule. Declaring a “Mandate from Heaven” the Zhou were empowered by divinity to overthrow the Sang. Finally in 1027 B.C. Wu the Martial King of Zhou captured Anyang (Shang Capital) and the Shang King committed suicide. The Zhou fulfilled the mandate of Heaven by defeating the Shang in warfare. The Mandate of Heaven states that Heaven, or tian, places the mandate, tianming, to rule on any family (direct descendants of Huang Ti the Yellow Emperor) that is morally worthy of the responsibility. Also, the only way to know if the Mandate of Heaven had been removed from the ruling family was if they were overthrown.

The Zhou embraced much of the Shang culture and even accepted their god Shang Ti who they made benevolent by ceasing the ritual of human sacrifice. They practiced the Grace of Heaven. They worshiped the sun and stars as they were direct manifestations of Heaven and astrology and mathematics attempted to explain humanities destiny within this cosmos. Some of the popular Shang gods became their gods and these lesser gods served as feudal lords to the Heaven-god.  They built their capital in Xi'an and gained allegiance of disaffected Shang city-states. The Zhou allowed the Shang freedom of travel and many migrated to Zhou cities bringing with them their labor and skills. The ancient Zhou capital was divided into two sections, one for the Zhou people an the imperial court and the other half for the Shang people. It is known that other Zhou cities exhibited this same social segregation. However, this was the only known major change in cities from the Shang Dynasty to the Zhou Dynasty. Otherwise, the construction of cities and the houses remained the same as in the Shang Dynasty.

The arts and crafts of the Zhou people were nearly identical to the Shang in both motifs and design. Jade Carving, Bronze Casting, and Pottery were considered the hallmarks of heaven leading to a heighten emphasis on sensitivity and devotion to quality. Jade was believed to be the stone from Heaven and objects created from Jade were considered more valuable than gold, as they were endowed with heavenly grace. Bronze objects were considered second to Jade in value and were created as earthly objects that embodied heaven's will. The Zhou were great administrators and believed in building a feudal nation ruled by an Imperial court and a feudal government. The Zhou also adopted much of the Shang writing system, rituals, and many of the Shang administration techniques. Land was given to Feudal lords in elaborate ceremonies that often bore the gifts of Jade and Bronze. The landowners became vassals to the king. Descent became patriarchal, from father to son, rather than from eldest brother to youngest brother as practiced by the Shang.

The Zhou Dynasty is divided into two periods. The first period is the Western Zhou, which occurs from the time of their victory over the Shang in 1027 B.C. until771 B.C. During this period the arts flourished and the Empire expanded its influences in the arts, culture and religion. The second period is known as the Eastern Zhou, which begins when barbarians from the north invade the Zhou capital of Shensi and kill the Emperor Yu Wang.  The Zhou royal court and son of Emperor Yu Wang escape and move the capital eastward to Loyand in 771 B.C. Many of the ancient Jade artifacts uncovered and on the market today is the result of this historic event. The Zhou nobles and royal family buried most of their Jade and Bronze treasures thinking that they would soon return to Shensi the Zhou Capital. This never happened and very significant amounts of Eastern Zhou Jade and Bronze artifacts have been discovered buried deep in the earth for thousands of years. The Eastern Zhou period is divided into two sub-periods. The first sub-period is called the Spring and Autumn Period and it occurs from about 770-476 B.C. This period hallmarks a steady decline in the Zhou Emperors power and control over the feudal lords and the vassal states. The second sub-period is called the Warring States Period and it occurs from about 475 - 221 B.C. The Warring States is so named because of the power struggle between the large vassal states of Zhou Dynasty that were trying to seize control through warfare over the Empire.

During the Warring States period (5th to 3rd century B.C.) the invention of the casting of iron and the traction plough made the Chinese economy and society go through  profound transformations. The Chinese population under went explosive growth due the Confucius doctrines (large families) and the traction plough that rapidly expanded agricultural production. The principalities became large states depending on agriculture mainly; large-scale collective irrigation work began in Wei Valley in Shaanxi, in Jiangsu and Sichuan.  Warfare was a way of life and became much larger in scale and more ruthless. Conquered states were obliterated and turned into centrally colonized provinces. Cheap mass produced iron weapons instead of expensive bronze weapons had led to a great increase in peasant foot soldiers who now numbered greatly, replacing the aristocratic elite Guards of the Emperor or Warlords. The states built walls around their territories to protect themselves from barbarian invasion and from their rival attackers. These economic and social transformations were accompanied by great progress in political and philosophical thought. This period is also known as the "hundred schools," (Confucius, Mo Zi, Taoist,, Legalist etc.). The Zhou Dynasty is perhaps the “true Grandparent of the modern day Chinese society and culture.

Authentic Chinese Zhou  Dynasty  Jades are incredible discoveries. The greatest Treasure Hunts in modern history is happening right now as the western world acquires the ancient treasures of China.  I have studied and specialized in Ancient Chinese Jades for over 30-years and find that each jade artifact is masterpiece that gives testimony to the greatness of the Chinese civilization.  I occasional offer Zhou Jade specimens from my 30-year collection so please check my Ebay auctions while I have them available. -ian (Fung Gen Qua)