As early as ancient times, people have had glasses as a tool to assist their vision. However, unlike the glasses we use every day, ancient glasses were usually made of special materials such as natural spars and were only available to the powerful. So, what exactly is the difference between ancient glasses and modern glasses? Let's explore the mysteries of ancient glasses together!
As we all know, the eye is one of the important organs of the human body, and eye diseases such as myopia and farsightedness have become a common problem for modern people. This kind of problem also existed in ancient times, such as the famous Tang Dynasty physician Sun Simiao mentioned the damage to the eyes caused by reading at night in "A Thousand Golden Prescriptions". However, lighting conditions at the time were poor, and many literati suffered from myopia due to frequent reading at night. As a result, the clever ancients invented a device with the function of helping eyesight - the catch. Ancient spectacle lenses were mainly made of natural spar, while the frames were designed to keep the lenses safe. Despite the complexity and cost of making ancient glasses, the effects are obvious. We have to admire the wisdom and innovative spirit of the ancient craftsmen.
During the Ming Dynasty, the aristocracy began to wear a monocle - 僉, which is actually a magnifying glass. Usually wrapped in Phnom Penh, the name is taken from the transliteration of "magnifying glass", so it is not synonymous with glasses in the modern sense. The world-famous glasses were officially introduced to China around the end of the Ming Dynasty. Optical instrument manufacturers in the Ming Dynasty improved the structure of glasses according to the needs of different groups of people. It was not until the Qing Dynasty that glasses finally gradually spread to the people and became a daily commodity.
All in all, the birth and development of ancient glasses is a testimony to the crystallization of human wisdom, they are not only practical aids, but also carry a piece of history. In today's age of rapid technological advancement, we can't imagine how blurry the world would be without glasses.
Here, we would like to thank the ancients who made outstanding contributions to the invention and development of glasses, and it is their wisdom and efforts that allow us to have the convenience we enjoy today. Let us continue to inherit this spirit of wisdom and progress and move forward together.
The Ming Dynasty's "Picture Scroll of the Southern Capital Fanhui" depicts a bustling market, and it mentions people wearing glasses. According to the Qing Dynasty scholar Ye Mengzhu in the "Reading the World Edition", the glasses were regarded as precious in the early days, and the better quality of the glasses were taken from Europe, each worth about four to five taels**, and were made of glass and covered with ivory or other precious stones. However, since the Shunzhi Dynasty, glasses** have gradually decreased, and each pair can be purchased for only five to six copper coins. This shows that the initial high level of glasses is high, and with the increase of private manufacturing, its price gradually decreases.
In the Kangxi period of the creation of "Reading the World", how should four or five taels of silver be understood? According to the "Nanzhai Diary" written by the Hanlin Academy during the Kangxi period, "pay the sedan chair man to eat and eat four taels of silver", which means that a sedan chair requires four people to work together, and each person can get a tael of money per month. Combined with this data, it is speculated that four or five taels of silver is undoubtedly a big burden for many families. At that time, the domestic glass industry was not fully developed, and the craftsmen in Guangzhou during the Ming and Qing dynasties began to imitate imported glasses. This phenomenon did not improve until the middle of the Qing Dynasty.
The Yongzheng Emperor during the Qianlong period can be called a lover of glasses, whether purchased or homemade, his glasses are numerous and special. Various styles include reading glasses and myopia glasses, and there are as many as 24 pairs of glasses related to the hour, and Emperor Yongzheng even has strict requirements for the quality of glasses. If the prescription of the product is not clear, it is considered to be of inferior quality. During the reign of Yongzheng, the West presented more than 100 glasses. All the glasses made by the imperial palace were glass lenses, while most of the glasses made by the Qing Dynasty Internal Affairs Office were made of crystal. Craftsmen in the inner court usually prepared their glasses in advance to cope with the emperor's sudden needs. According to the Qing Palace's "Work Files", Yongzheng won a total of 250 pairs of glasses during his 13 years of power. He ordered the eunuch to put two pairs of glasses in the place where he passed, and it was more likely that he and those around him were suffering from myopia.
Ancient glasses existed, but not everyone could afford them. However, the ancients still carefully protected their eyes. Cassia tea is the eye protection method contained in Dou Hanqing's "Acupuncture and Moxibustion Standard Fu" in the Northern Song Dynasty. Nowadays, with the help of scientific and medical advances, the precious glasses that were once only available to the emperor have gradually entered the homes of ordinary people; Myopia, a disease that was little known in the past, has also been effectively prevented and delayed through scientific means.
Evolving technologies such as electron microscopes and radio telescopes have pushed the limits of human vision and enabled us to observe images of black holes through virtual telescopes. In the future, there may be more shocking mysteries to be unearthed, which is exciting.