Archaeologists in China's Shaanxi province have unearthed a set of rare jade-cicada headbands and ritual mouth-pieces within a Zhou Dynasty ceremonial pit. The artifacts are carved from translucent green jade and represent the insect in various stages of emergence, symbolizing longevity and the cyclical nature of life.
Analysis of the site indicates that these items were used during a specific summer solstice rite intended to welcome the seasonal return of life. This discovery pushes back the known timeline for ritualized insect veneration and its connection to communal rebirth festivals in ancient Chinese culture.