Uses
Name one thing silk was made into
Paper, Clothes, Fishing Lines or Bow strips
When was silk discovered?
2669 BCE
What tree that aids the making or Chinese clothes causes water pollution?
Mulberry Trees
What social class was the only one allowed to wear silk when it was first discovered?
Emperor/Royalty class
What is a natural quality of silk?
Strong, soft, smooth, hypoallergenic and antimicrobial
Was silk used to create fishing lines?
Yes
Where was first silk discovered according to the legend?
Under Mulberry Tree
How did the smuggle of silkworms affect China?
It gave Italy a chance to make finer silk after learning the techniques from the smugglers, leading them to surpass the quality of China's silk
What did silk represent?
Nobility, Power, and Wealth
Did the Emperors of different dynasties set trends on fashion and clothing?
Yes, their style made its way to the broader public like an ancient version of a TikTok trend.
Why was silk used for bow strips?
Silk has a natural durability and strength
Who discovered silk?
Leizu (Wife of Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi/Yellow Emperor)
What is one of the positive effects of the discovery of China?
Invention of paper, canvases, bow strings, fishing lines, clothes and garments & an increase in trade
Why was silk a sign of high status?
Silk was expensive and rare
How does silk affect mosquitos?
Silk repels mosquitos
How did Silk become a big contributor to Ancient Chinese fashion?
People dyed and designed custom silk clothes for the emperor and nobles
Why did she choose to weave the silk?
She was curious about it
What was one of the negative effects of silk's discovery?
More factories, Mulberry trees polluting water, dust released from silkworm cocoons (asthma attacks)
It was used as currency once
In which century did the monks steal the silkworms from China?
6th Century
What did the silk road enable through the trade of silk in exchange for goods?
The silk road enabled the Chinese to be able to trade silk, a fairly common resource, for more exotic and rarer resources. (E.g. cotton and wool from Europe)
How was silk discovered?
Empress Leizu drank tea under a Mulberry Tree and a silkworm unravelled from the cocoon as it fell inro her tea. She was curious about the thread, so she turned it into a garment. After she made it, she realised it was very soft and smooth and introduced it to her husband. He loved it so much that he ordered it to be made all over his empire.
Did diseases travel to other countries when China traded silk?
Yes
How long did the trend of silk have an impact on the Ancient Chinese community and classes?
1 millennia /1,000 years
How did the monks smuggle silkworms from China?
They hid the silkworms in their canes