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Culture Insider: Gifts of love in ancient China

Resources: Chinaculture.org Published: 2017/02/15

A pair of Qing Dynasty jade pendants sold for 667,000 yuan ($100,050) at the 2013 Beijing Poly auctions (L). A pair of Qing Dynasty jade pendants sold for 920,000 yuan ($138,000) at the 2015 Beijing Poly autumn auctions (R). [Photo/ artron.net]

The Valentine's Day is here! Have you ever been caught up in a situation that leaves you clueless on what item to buy for your boyfriend or girlfriend? The ancient Chinese were never baffled by this problem. Here are some classic gifts for lovers during ancient times. Check it out and it may provide you with unique gift ideas.

Jade pendants

The ancient Chinese usually gave their lovers something small so that they could easily take it everywhere. A jade pendant is a good choice. Moreover, according to old customs, ancient couples sometimes exchanged their jade pendants at their engagement ceremony, so these little jade decorations top the list of ancient love gifts.

Culture Insider: Gifts of love in ancient China

A hairpin during Qing Dynasty sold for 161,000 yuan ($24,150) at the Beijing Poly 2011 spring auctions (L). A pair of hairpins during Qing Dynasty sold for 92,250 yuan ($14,400) at the Sotheby's Hong Kong 2011 autumn auctions (L). [Photo/ artron.net]

Hairpins

Hairpins were also a common gift for a man to give his girlfriend in ancient times. An old tradition in China was that women would cut a small lock of hair to give to their beloved at their engagement, so hair decorations symbolize a promise of love.

Culture Insider: Gifts of love in ancient China

A set of hairpins during Qing Dynasty sold for 207,000 yuan ($30,084) at the China Guardian 2015 spring auctions. [Photo/ english.cgaurdian.com]

Comb

There is a beautiful Chinese idiom, “Bai tou xie lao”, meaning the happy couple will be together until their hair turns white. Giving a comb to a loved one is a romantic promise which means “I want to be with you until we get old together”.