The History of Silk Production: Silk Stands the Test of Time

The history of silk contains legend, follows the rise and decline of dynasties and empires, and mirrors the great movements of social and economic development.

From the mythic past of ancient China, through the industrial revolution of Europe and into the modern age of computer aided design, silk has continued to be a high value fashion item throughout the ages.


The Opening of Silk Routes

China has maintained a monopoly of silk production for the better part of three thousand years. According to Confucius, it was in 2640 B.C. that the Chinese princess Xi Ling Shi was the first to reel silk from a cocoon that dropped into her cup of tea.

The Chinese were naturally secretive about silk, but by the 3rd Century B.C. Chinese silk fabrics were beginning to find their way throughout the whole of Asia, and were transported overland to the West and by sea to Japan on what became known as the silk roads. The Romans came across silk in Asia, but knew nothing about its source.

From 552 A.D sericultural (silkworm culture) began to spread throughout Asia Minor and the Mediterranean. The story has it that it was smuggled out of China by two monks with silkworm eggs hidden inside their bamboo walking sticks. It was further spread by the Arabs as they captured splendid silks from the Persians, carrying sericulture with them as their conquests swept them through Africa, Sicily and Spain in the 7th Century.

Raw Silk Production: Insects That Create Wealth for the Fashion Industry

Although there have been many technological developments in silk production, in China the same production processes have been followed for centuries.

 The total annual world production of Bombyx mori cocoons, generally regarded as producing the finest quality raw silk, is about 496,000 tons, amounting to about 62,000 tons of raw silk. Silk accounts for much less than one percent by volume of world fibre production. Its high value demand is a result both of labour intensive production methods and its intrinsic luxurious quality.


Main Producers of Silk

China produces and exports about two thirds of all silk produced in the world, followed by Japan. Other main producers are India, Korea, Thailand, and Brazil. China supplies about 40 percent of the US’s silk consumption. China has a long tradition of silk production (sericulture) that goes back about five thousand years.

Raw Silk Production Methods

The production of raw silk by means of raising caterpillars (larvae), especially those of the domesticated silkworm (Bombyx mori), is traditionally divided into three parts:

• Moths are selected for breeding, closely supervised during the egg laying process, and then sold on to farmers

• Eggs are hatched and the silkworms fed on mulberry leaves

• Farmers then sell the cocoons to reeling mills

Egg Production and Incubation

Following mating, female moths are placed in metal cylinders that are positioned within marked squares on an egg sheet, confining the moths' egg-laying to a small area. Each moth produces from 300 to 500 pinhead-size eggs, which adhere to the egg sheet, and then dies within two to three days of laying.

Balance Mind and Body With Ayurveda: A Mind Body Health Quiz

The ancient Ayurvedic system of maintaining mind body balance is based on the integration of three basic Dosha types.

According to the 5,000 year old Ayurvedic system of maintaining a healthy mental and physical condition, understanding one’s Doshas and how they interact is essential for wellness. There are three basic Doshas, or types, of mind body personality: Vata, kapha and Pitta. A short quiz at the end of this article will help identify one’s Dosha type, and which mixture of Dosha characteristics best describes one’s personality.


Three Mind Body Types

Within the Ayurvedic system personalities are made up of two dominant Doshas, and one less significant Dosha. This determines not only one’s mental and physical state, but also acts as a prescriptive basis for the diagnosis and treatment of states of mental and physical imbalance.

1) The first type is the Vata mind body personality. Vata’s tend to be thin, find it difficult to gain weight and tire easily. They are sensitive, creative and inspirational, prone to conditions of low energy, and require frequent periods of rest. Vatas benefit from a regular routine, low stress lifestyle and don’t like cold temperatures.

The Vata Dosha is responsible for involuntary physical systems like breathing, digestion, circulation and nerve impulses from the brain. When in a state of imbalance, conditions like anxiety, indigestion, lower back problems, indigestion, cramps, and premenstrual tension may be an early indicator of treatment needs. Vata is the lead Dosha, and Vata imbalances have an impact on the state of both Kapha and Pitta Doshas.

2) Kapha, the second Dosha, is at the opposite end of the energy spectrum. Kaphas tend to be sturdy, heavy boned individuals with a strong capacity for energy and stamina. They seem to resist disease and have a positive outlook. In the main Kaphas are calm and affectionate; when out of balance, they can be lazy and stubborn. They learn slowly, but are methodical and have strong memory retention.

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China and Japan: Economic Super Powers of the Pacific Basin

China is the second most powerful economic force in the world, but how likely is it to be the first?

Like China, Japan was compelled by the gun boat diplomacy of foreign powers to open its doors to outside influences and trade. Japan went through a period of rapid social and economic change from the Meiji Restoration (1864-1868) onwards, which saw Japan adopting European models of military warfare, government, education, economics, banking, and social appearance and habits, while retaining its core Confucian values.

Samurai Caste System

While superficial changes may have occurred, the fundamental aspirations of an expansionist ruling military caste had not. Ultimately it was the pursuit of those ambitions that led to Japan’s defeat and near annihilation in 1945. A combination of social and economic factors, together with the latent narcissism of the Samurai caste system, was manipulated to produce an ill-conceived war.

As Japan struggled to recover from the desolation and ruin of war, supported by the opportunity to redevelop its industrial base afforded by the Korean War, there was a widespread disaffection among the Japanese people with all things Samurai. Increasingly, the Japanese looked to America as a role model of a more open, democratic society. From the late 1950’s Japan went through an extremely rapid period of economic growth, which lasted up until the 1990’s when it began to slow down.

Political Stability

In recent times, partly as a result of increased opportunities for leisure that has come with prosperity and an economic slow down, Japanese youth seem to have rediscovered their past, and there is some evidence of a resurgence of interest in traditional culture and values, but tinged with a more liberal and modern sensibility. While it is unlikely that there will be any reconciliation between conservative and liberal elements in Japan, each acts as a break upon the excesses of the other, which helps to maintain a level of political stability. Read More