Yupei (Chinese: 玉佩; pinyin: Yùpèi) is a generic term for jadependants.[1] Yupei were popular even before Confucius was born.[2]: 18 Jade culture is an important component of Chinese culture,[1] reflecting both the material and spiritual culture.[3]: 18 Jade is deeply ingrained in Chinese culture and played a role in every aspect of social life;[3]: 18 it is also associated with positive qualities and aspects such as purity, excellence, and harmony.[4]: 20 [5]: 94 Jade is even more valued than gold in Chinese culture.[5]: 94 The history of the art of jade carving in China to make ornaments, including dress ornaments, extends back to before 5000 BC.[6][7] Ancient Chinese held even greater importance to yupei after it was regarded as a moral integrity by Confucius.[2]: 18 Yupei could be used as belt or waist ornaments (such as jinbu 禁步)[1] and as necklaces which appeared as early as the Liangzhu culture.[8]: 39 Strings of jade pendant are also used to decorate headwear, such as the mianguan.[9]
^Metropolitan Museum of Art (1987). Ancient Chinese art : the Ernest Erickson Collection in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Maxwell K. Hearn. New York: The Museum. ISBN0-87099-483-2. OCLC14242247.
^ abJane Portal, ed. (2007). The first emperor : China's Terracotta Army. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press. ISBN978-0-674-02697-1. OCLC123119878.