It's hard to fathom that a material used for clothing and other applications would withstand the test of time as well as silk has. Of course there are other things we use that have been around since the ancients, like wood and gunpowder, but for something to stay in fashion since long before Christ was born just boggles the mind.
Like so many things we use today, we can trace the history of silk to China in the 27th century BCE. Until the last half of the first millennium BC, use of silk was limited only to the Chinese. It was at this time that the Silk Road, or Silk Routes across Asia were opened, linking trade to the Mediterranean world, including North Africa and Europe. The Chinese people used silk for clothing, writing, and during the Tang Dynasty, the color of silk you wore indicated your ranking in social class.
Chinese traditions, along with the writings of Confucius, coincide with the 27th century BCE timeline. Their writings state that the empress Leizu was having tea one day, when a silk worm's cocoon fell into her cup.
Attempting to get it out, the thread of the cocoon began to unroll, giving her the idea to weave it. Her husband, the Yellow Emperor, encouraged her to study the life of the silk worm, and in doing so she learned the art of raising silk worms, known as sericulture. Her entourage was taught, and thus the silk industry was born.
Archaeological evidence however, dates the origin to between 3000 and 5000 BCE. At sites of the Yangshao culture in Xia County, Shanxi, a cocoon of the bombyx mori, (a domesticated silk worm) was found cut in half, along with traces of silk weaving looms.
Later on, Japan, the Byzantines, Arabs, and Western Europe, especially France and Italy obtained silkworm eggs and began their own silk trade, lessening the importance and value of China's market. This was especially true after the industrial revolution. Even later still, the discovery of man made materials such as nylon, and rayon, pushed the attraction of the more expensive silk back for a while. In spite of that though, nothing on the market could really take the place of the unique quality or feel of a fine silk necktie.
Silk is still going strong today, and fine silk still fetches a premium price. Silk bed sheets, women's and men's shirts, and men's neckties still boast that "cut above" look and feel over conventional and man made materials. Even though there have been many attempts to create a man-made material to replace silk, notching compared to pure quality silk. The smooth and soft feel, and the excellent shine of silk is the perfect fabric for any high end piece of clothing.
So, the next time you put on that silk shirt, or pure silk necktie, take a moment, and reflect on the ancient lineage that fine material has.
About the Author
H Pohl runs an online retailer that specializes on men's fashion, particularly
neckties , bow ties and cufflinks. In his free time he enjoys sharing things he has learned about his industry by writing articles for online publications.