瓷

文/王小可

瓷

文/王小可

The “China” of

The Chinese character瓷（cí） is primarily translated to “china”or “porcelain” in English. Being an extraordinary product with unparalleled craftsmanship and mysterious culture hidden behind it, china became quite popular in the ancient world; and this explains why 中 國 (literally “the Central Empire”) was called “China” in English. Given that Japan has never been called “Lacquer,”or U.K. “the United Kingdom of Pudding,” the name “China”probably reflects an excess obsession with these delicate wares.

瓷is an up-down structure in word formation. The top part is 次（cì）which means“next,” while the bottom part 瓦（wǎ）means the pottery. In the traditional technical procedure of china-making, the artisans make the pottery first, and then heat the kiln to a very high temperature, then pottery turns to china. So the character 瓷best reveals its own secret word meaning, that is, the next stage(of transformation) of pottery.

Chinese pottery appeared as early as in the Shang dynasty(approx. 1600-1046 BC). Later,the appearance of “protoporcelain” indicated an epochal transition from pottery to porcelain. This proto-porcelain was widely found in the Yellow River basin, as well as in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River.

Although it has earlier origins, not until in the Tang(618-870) and Song (960-1279) dynasties did china reach its prime of development. In the Tang dynasty, the craft of making china made a great leap, which contributed to the emergence of fine china. In the Song dynasty, people created more and more types of china with various patterns and colors. Many famous factories including (Jun-kilns), 汝 窯(Ru-kilns), 哥 窯(Ge-kilns),and 定窯(Ding-kilns) provided china of different styles. That was also the time when trade of china became prosperous in Southeast Asian and European markets.

In the Yuan dynasty (1271-1368), 青花瓷(the blue and white porcelain) became one of the technical representatives of china. Then, with further development of craftsmanship,in the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1912) dynasties,when firing technology had reached the peak of its history,this elegant kind of porcelain,with its exquisite patterns,became the most brilliant pearl.Meanwhile, a new kind of china琺瑯彩(the enamel painted porcelain) appeared and also gained wide attention. Overseas china-making also contributed to product diversity, with bone china (invented by the British in 1794) as a wonderful representative.

The modern styles of china are becoming even more diverse. With the development of modern manufacturing,china products are still popular in daily life; and the relative elements have been extensively applied in fashion designs of tableware, jewelry, and dress.

青花瓷The blue and white porcelain

定窯Ding-kilns

哥窯Ge-kilns

琺瑯彩The enamel painted porcelain

Since china has been a global treasure for a long time, and the nation of China is becoming more and more internationalized,I guess it may be the time for 中國 to change its English title. How about “the Central Republic of Globalization”?◆