Pinwheel-Shaped Pair – Jade Artifacts of the Hongshan Culture
This rare pair of jade ornaments from the Hongshan culture strikingly resembles modern fidget spinners, often used as therapeutic tools for children with ADHD or autism spectrum disorder. Their unique form not only captivates the eye but also reveals the symbolic and ceremonial complexity of Neolithic spiritual expression.
The jade is moss-green with partial whitening (calcification), indicating age and burial conditions. The structure features a rounded disk body, slightly domed at the center, resembling overlapping cymbals. The outer edges are carved in a beak-like form, with curved, slanted perforations and three diagonal ridges inserted into each wing-like extension. These patterns create a visual sense of rotation and rhythm, evoking a dynamic energy.
While the design appears simple, the treatment of both inner and outer edges—flattened and delicately thinned—demonstrates advanced craftsmanship. The slight convexity in the center emphasizes spatial volume, while the symmetry and recurring curves reflect ritual symbolism and aesthetic refinement characteristic of the Hongshan culture.
Rather than being merely decorative, these objects likely held ceremonial or symbolic meaning. Their careful design and intricate execution suggest that they were used in ritual contexts, possibly as spiritual tools or status symbols. This highlights the Hongshan culture not as a primitive society, but as one with an elaborate religious and symbolic structure.
