Vast variety of cages capturing ancient Chinese crickets: The wonderful artifacts of mankind

Crickets - musician of nature: Insects that are easy to raise

Crickets are short-lived creatures, only about 70-90 days. It is said that since the Tang Dynasty (618-907) of China, the concubines in the palace have traditionally invited each other to catch crickets in the autumn.

It is estimated that there are about 1,000 different species of crickets in nature, divided into two branches of cricket (Gryllidae) and mole crickets (Gryllotalpidae).

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It is not difficult to raise crickets because they are omnivorous, digesting both vegetables, fruits and other smaller insects. But the main reason crickets are "hard" is because males know the nape of the neck. By rubbing the outer outer winged ribs, they made a cry.

In the past, the Chinese emperor went to the palace of three continents, many concubines to thousands of people. To alleviate boredom in the days of waiting for the blessing, these free women drew up a variety of pleasures, including cricket raising.

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According to records, at least since the 8th century, cricket farming had been in the Chinese palace. Although not sure the "king wife" was the one who initiated the cricket raising game, it is true that because they like to catch crickets to feed, the folk also follow.

Required to be locked up because it can not be tamed

In the role of "charismatic" of concubines, crickets are locked in valuable cages of gold and silver. People put cricket cages at the head of the bed, eager to hear them crowing.

Although raising crickets is not difficult, tame them into a pet that knows how to take ownership. Insect brains are too small, only aware of instincts, not to develop emotions like higher beings (eg birds, animals).

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Crickets are easy to raise but forced to confine

China is a land of four seasons, hot summers and winters cold. Although crickets are easy to raise, they also need specialized confinement tools, making sure the summer is cool and the winter is warm.

Initially, people simply kept crickets in jars made of clay. Pottery profession soon appeared, providing all kinds of gadgets for daily life. Just a little variation is that the potters have a jar-shaped bottle with an air hole suitable for crickets.

But inconveniently, earthenware jars cannot be used for winter. It was too cold, causing crickets to die from freezing cold. They need a cage that is both breathable and cozy. And in response, the gourd cage was born.

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Many thousands of pictures about cricket cages

Gourds: The most popular and specialized type of cricket cages

Gourd is a familiar plant in Asia, grown for young fruit as food and shell for ladle and container.

Also since the Tang Dynasty, the Chinese have known to dry hollow gourds as cricket cages. Unlike cold clay jars in winter weather, the inside of the potting covers is quite cozy. Just mix soil and lime spread a layer on the bottom or add a piece of cotton, so "pet cricket" has "roof".

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To make a cricket cage, dry it first and remove all the intestines. Then, add a few more holes to let air in. There is such a sketchy thing, I'm not worthy of the "musicians of nature". The artisans take part in turning the dried gourds into breathtaking handmade masterpieces.

At first, people just painted on the dry gourd. After that, the feat of creating the shape of a gourd cage from the beginning of flowering. They put wooden or metal molds on young gourds, forcing them to grow to their liking. The world of gourd cricket cage has become diverse, ranging from natural circle to cylinder, square, vase .

Above all is the effort to decorate the pods and covers of gourds. Through the skillful hands of the artisans, they range from simple geometric patterns to extremely intricate sculptured dragon dances.

Especially besides beautiful, cricket cage also amplifies the sound. It helps make crickets sounder and better.

Me cricket through the times, until now has not been with

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After the gourd shells, Chinese people also make cricket cages ranging from turtle shells to coconut shells, sandalwood, even ivory. But the most common is the cage gourd, bamboo, wood, metal . The reason is simple, because they are both cheap and readily available and easy to create. In addition to cages, people also cast a super tiny porcelain tray to store food for crickets.

In the wild, except for the crowing of a male to flirt with a female, male crickets also use it to "march their martial arts" with the same sex. They are extremely aggressive, possibly because of their children or territories, which fight to a loss.

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Cricket cricket is now a hobby of many Chinese

After enjoying the crowing sounds, Han people are also passionate about cricket fighting and raising crickets. Since the Song Dynasty (960-1279), cricket fighting became a widespread hobby.

Interestingly, despite the past 1,000 years, Chinese people have not stopped loving crickets. It is only at the selling points of crickets today, they do not use the masterpieces of handicrafts anymore anymore but use bamboo cages or simple plastic cages only.