The History of Silk
According to an ancient Chinese legend, the discovery of silk occurred in the time of the Yellow Emperor, thanks to the ingenuity of his wife:
Princess Lei-Tsu..
CHAPTER 1
The Mulberry
Every afternoon, Lei-Tsu used to drink tea in the beautiful gardens of the imperial palace, in the shade of a large mulberry tree. One day, when she arrived near the tree, she noticed that there was no more shade: the leaves were completely ruined.
And so were those of the other mulberry trees.
She-Tsu, determined to solve the mystery, spoke to the emperor about it, who put guards in charge of the trees, but they could not solve the problem.
CAPITOLO 2
The Mug
On the third day, while he was sipping tea, a small cocoon fell into his cup.
Lei-Tsu gently dipped his fingers into the hot drink, and pulled out a light, shimmering thread, which he slowly wrapped around his fingers: silk was born.
CHAPTER 3
The Frame
Lei-Tsu decided to cultivate mulberry trees to feed the worms, studied a new loom and taught the art of silk weaving to court women. Silk thus became a delicate female-only secret, forbidden to men.
Such was the importance of the discovery that the young empress was given a place among the gods, with the name Can Nai Nai (Mother of the Silkworm).
CHAPTER 4
The Aristocrats
Years and then centuries passed, and silk conquered princes and nobles all over the world. Among them was the aristocracy of the Khotan kingdom.
But silk was very expensive and difficult times were ahead for the Khotan kingdom.
CHAPTER 5
The Bride
The emperor then decided to ask the Chinese princess Lushi to marry him. She was asked to bring the secret of silk as her wedding dowry.
This was a fearless gesture; silk was in fact one of the Chinese Empire’s most precious and best-kept secrets.
Lushi accepted.
CHAPTER 6
The Trip
The wedding was arranged, and from China a caravan left for the kingdom of Khotan. After many days of travelling, the caravan reached the border of the Jade Gate, which divided the two kingdoms. All luggage was checked, but there was no trace of the secret of the silk.
CHAPTER 7
The Fabric
When she arrived at Lushi’s palace, she untied her hairstyle and silkworm eggs fell from her hair, while among the medicines were mulberry seeds, used for their healing properties. With her were three young men, whose light and skilful hands would take care of the gathering and weaving of the silk threads.
To thank the gods for Lushi’s courage and successful journey, a temple was erected, and the mulberry seeds were planted there.
With this generous gesture, Lushi honoured his people with a new, all-female knowledge.