Silk

Origin and Development

Silk originated in China over 5,000 years ago. Legend credits Empress Leizu, the wife of the Yellow Emperor, with the discovery of sericulture.

China became the world’s earliest silk producer, exporting through the Silk Road during the Han and Tang dynasties.

Properties

Lightweight, naturally glossy, breathable, and highly absorbent.

Smooth to the touch, silk is often called the “queen of fibers.”

Production Process

Mulberry cultivation → Sericulture (silkworm rearing) → Cocoon formation → Silk reeling → Thread → Weaving → Finished products.

Cultural Role

In China, silk symbolized wealth and civilization.

In Japan, it became the preferred material for high-quality kimono.

In Europe, silk was once a luxury commodity, reserved for elites.