A Silk Story

This is a Silk Story..
The oldest silk item is estimated to be 6000-7000 years old. This piece is a small ivory cup with a silkworm image on it found in China. It seems the Chinese kept the secret of silk to themselves for over 3000 years. Silk was worn by royalty and used as a currency. For hundreds of years the Chinese tried to keep their silk production a secret but it eventually got out and the famous “Silk Road” derives its name from the lucrative trade carried out along it.

Silk & Colour
The natural colour of silk is white which is a result of the Mulberry leaves from which the silk worm feeds upon. Originally in China, natural dyes from Jinzi fruits and Ochre were used to dye silk. Stunning Cobalt blue dye was created sintering cobalt oxide with Aluminium oxide. This colour was also used in ancient porcelain and continues to be as popular today. The use of vibrant colours on silk has always been an important part of its history. Historically, colours on garments represented the five elements, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water and Wood. The representation of colour on silk has always been an extremely important part of Asian culture and history. For example, the colour yellow was thought to represent the earth and created a stabilizing energy. Green represented calming, healing and self assurance. Although we don’t have the same direct association with colour today, there is definitely a growing trend to add vibrant colours to an outfit in both winter and summer. A silk scarf can be the perfect way to enhance our attire and add colour.

Benefits of Silk
Not only does the tradition of using bright colours on silk lift the spirits and celebrate traditions, they have many benefits due to the nature of the material. It is no wonder the Chinese tried to keep the production of silk a secret! The fibres of silk are truly remarkable. The proteins in silk are constructed in such a way that they prevent the loss of moisture from our skin. This is extremely good news for skin & hair. If you want to read more about the benefits of silk and more about a silk story click here. If you long for smoother locks and plumper more hydrated skin, then a silk pillow case is definitely worth considering. Silk is also hypoallergenic. It does not attract dust and is a natural fungal repellent.

A healthy Treat
In a world where lots of the normal liberties have been taken away, we are in a position to be grateful for what we can do. We can enjoy the simple things and take more time for self care in the comfort of our own homes. There are few things better than the comfort of a good sleep and waking up with a fresh feeling after sleeping on a silk pillow case. Add some colour to your day and protect your skin from the elements with a silk scarf. Protect your health from bugs with a silk face mask. Silk has been revered by people for thousands of years and for good reason. Go on you deserve a treat. 🙂