The black jade is considered in this book as the prototype of a sacred and elite object in the civilization of central China. With a history of over 5000 years, it eclipses all subsequent sacred and elite objects. The Chinese character 玄 in 玄玉 (black jade) means “black” or “change”. Its changes in color when illuminated inspired our prehistoric ancestors to associate it with spiritual deities. All subsequent sacred objects in Chinese history may be considered substitutes or transformations of the prototypical black jade. Therefore, our understanding of the black jade has a seminal or genetic cultural significance.