Bi-Disc

€ 480

The Bi disc is a flat disc made in semi precious stones (generally in jade) with a circular hole in the centre. The history of the bi extends back to Neolithic China some 5,000 years ago.The earlier versions were simple disks with no ornamentation but became increasingly ornate with motifs representing deities associated with the cardinal directions and heaven and earth images. Aside from its religious symbolism, the bi also represented the person’s high social status and it ultimately accompanied the person in his grave.

Jade discs have been a puzzle to archaeologists for centuries, but because they were made in a period of time that no writing existed, their significance is still unknown to us and the question of what their significance was and why they were created remains unanswered.