Abstract:

Amber has been used in multiple cultural representations. For example, in Chinese cultural representations, fossil amber is the symbol of the sun with protection against bad spirits and courage, strength, and resilience mediated by the tiger soul. Amber is also associated with Chinese Buddhism prey and meditation (Fig. 1A). The golden colour of amber is also a symbol of prosperity and wealth represented in decorations and jewelry (Figures 1B-1E). As described in the history of snuff bottles [7], although smoking tobacco was illegal during the Qing dynasty, the use of snuff with amber bottles (Figure 1C) was allowed because it was considered a remedy for common illnesses such as colds, headaches and stomach disorders. Additionally, amber has been involved in cultural communications such as between China and other regions by movement of raw Burmite materials of amber artifacts from Burma to the Central China through Yunnan in the Silk Road by free circulation during Han Dynasty [8].