南珠春秋
Southern Pearl History
南珠
南珠，亦称合浦南珠，一般指使用起源于广西北海（古合浦）的珍珠养殖技术，在北部湾沿岸海域，通过人工养殖各类珍珠贝而获得的海水珍珠。历史上，人们在北部湾海域捕捞的天然海水珍珠，也被称为南珠。
Southern Pearl, also known as Hepu southern pearl, now generally refers to seawater pearls obtained by artificial breeding of various mother-of-pearl oysters in the Beibu Gulf in south of Beihai, using the pearl culture technology originated in Beihai (ancient “Hepu”). Historically, the natural seawater pearls captured in the Beibu Gulf were also known as southern pearl.
南珠，亦称合浦南珠，一般指使用起源于广西北海（古合浦）的珍珠养殖技术，在北部湾沿岸海域，通过人工养殖各类珍珠贝而获得的海水珍珠。历史上，人们在北部湾海域捕捞的天然海水珍珠，也被称为南珠。
广西合浦是我国传统的海水珍珠主产区，也是世界上历史最悠久的珍珠原产地。合浦南珠的历史，最早可以追溯到6000年以前。《海史·后记》记载：大约在公元前4000年，中国传说中五帝之一的大禹就定“南海鱼草、珠玑大贝”为贡品，其所指“南海”，即今两广地区南部的广大海域，“珠玑”即珍珠。这也是我国历史上关于珍珠的最早记录，充分说明，我国珍珠的历史，是从南珠开始的。
到了商朝，南珠采集的规模更大，南珠也进一步确立了其作为华南地区“首席贡品”的历史地位。《商书·伊尹献词》记载：“伊尹受命于是为四方令曰：‘正南瓯、邓、桂国、损子、产里、百濮、九菌，请令以珠玑、玳瑁、象齿、文犀、翠羽、菌鹤、短狗为献。’”这里的瓯、桂国等地，主要是指今北部湾沿岸和雷州半岛等地区；在众多的贡品中，“珠玑”（即珍珠，这里特指北部湾海域的南珠）排在了第一位。
明·万历皇帝定陵·孝靖皇后三龙二凤冠
从西汉开始，合浦所辖海域，经过上千年的采珠业的开发，逐渐成为稳定的珍珠产区，称为“珠母海”（今天俗称“珠池”）。《旧唐书·地理志》记载：“廉州合浦县有珠母海，郡人采珠之所”。《合浦县志》记载，合浦沿海有乌坭、平江、青婴、断望、杨梅等七个珠池，就是闻名遐迩的“七大古珠池”。
为什么我国的珍珠业会发源于合浦呢？首先，得益于亚热带海洋性季风气候，合浦温热湿润，冬无严寒，夏无酷暑，温、光、雨资源充沛，特别适合贝壳类海洋生物的生长；其次，西太平洋的季风洋流与合浦沿岸绵延环绕的海岸线相遇，形成了季节性的环流，从外海源源不断地为珍珠贝的生长带来丰富的天然营养物质；再次，北部湾海域沿岸自古以来就以渔业为主，没有农业和工业对海水的污染，再加上季风洋流使得合浦海域的海水可以长期、持续的与外海交换，海水非常洁净，适合多种珠母贝的生长和繁殖。
沙拿利、张晓晖所著《珍珠》记载：
故宫博物院里陈列的珍珠饰品，大多是广西合浦出产的。
在长达三千年的发展过程中，南珠产业经历了由采捕到人工养殖的技术升级；南珠的人工养殖技术，经历了由我国传入日本、再由日本传回我国的曲折过程；南珠的珠母贝，也经历了从母贝种类繁多到优选、优育、优养少数贝种的进化。1958年，合浦专区珍珠养殖试验场在广西北海成立，开始主攻马氏珠母贝的人工养殖技术。南珠的养殖，也由此进入以马氏珠母贝为主要养殖贝种的时代。
但南珠并不局限于马氏珠母贝产出的海水珍珠。1993年，南珠宫的前身“北海市珍珠公司”取得白蝶贝植核的成功，并从此开始了规模化养殖白蝶贝的探索。在行业内多家南珠养殖研究机构和南珠养殖企业的持续推动下，南珠的品类，再次逐步丰富起来。
今天，用于南珠养殖的珠母贝，已经包含了马氏珠母贝、白蝶贝、黑蝶贝、金唇贝、企鹅贝等多种母贝。这些贝种在采用北海的珍珠养殖技术植核以后，已经在北部湾海域成功地进行养殖。
随着南珠产业的发展，南珠的养殖海域不再局限于北部湾海域。中国南海和西太平洋的近岸海域，都已出现南珠养殖业，并将成为全球范围内南珠养殖的重要海域。
不同珠母贝产出的南珠
Southern pearls produced by different mother-of-pearl oysters.
马氏贝
Pinctada martensii
大珠母贝（白蝶贝）
White-lip oyster
珠母贝（黑蝶贝）
Black-lip oyster
大珠母贝（金蝶贝）
Golden-lip oyster
企鹅贝
Penguin oyster
马氏贝珍珠
Southern Pearl
白蝶贝珍珠
White pearl
黑蝶贝珍珠
Black Pearl
金蝶贝珍珠
Golden pearl
马贝珍珠
Mabe pearl
序
中国是世界上最早发现和使用珍珠的国家之一，是当之无愧的珍珠之邦。我国有文字记载的珍珠史，可以追溯到6000年前的大禹时代。《海史·后记》记载：大禹定“南海鱼草、珠玑大贝”为贡品。大禹定贡的珠玑，就是原产于我国北部湾海域的南珠。《诗经》、《山海经》、《周易》、《格致镜原》、《史记》及历代史书，均有关于南珠发展的记载。南珠与中华民族有着割舍不断的情缘。
As one of the earliest countries in the world to discover and use pearls, China deserves the title of pearl country. China has a written history of pearls, which can be traced back to the era of Yu 6,000 years ago. Postscript of the History of the Sea records: Dayu set “fish grass and pearl in the South China Sea” as tribute. The tribute that Dayu said is the southern pearl from the Beibu Gulf. Book of Songs, Book of Mountains and Seas, Zhouyi, Ge zhi Jing Yuan, Historical Records, and historical books of all dynasties all have records on the development of southern pearl.
伴随着中国历史的演进，南珠由一种贡品逐渐升华成一种文化元素，在中华民族的文化母体上，起起伏伏，打下了自己独特的烙印。南珠产业在我国历史上，总是伴随着盛世而繁荣，又数次在战乱中被摧毁。总的说来，南珠经历了三起三伏，每一次衰败，都是蓄势待发；而每一次兴盛，都是涅槃重生、再创新高。
With evolution of Chinese history, southern pearl has gradually sublimated from a tribute to a cultural element. It has ups and downs on the cultural matrix of the Chinese nation, and has left its own unique mark. In the history of China, the southern pearl industry has always prospered along with flourishing times, and was destroyed several times in wars. In general, southern pearl has experienced ups and downs. Every time it declines, is ready to start. Every time it prospers, is a rebirth and a new high.
献珠求媚
Offer pearls for flattery
警示世人不可谄媚攀附、不务正业。
Warn the people not to be flattering and clinging.
珍珠换美
Trade Pearls for a beauty
君子淑女的忠贞爱情。
The faithful love of gentlemen and ladies.
第壹次兴盛期
秦汉时期
Southern Pearl History
南珠成为珍珠市场的主角，成为我国通过海上丝绸之路向西方销售的主要商品。 秦统一中国以后，开始在岭南设立专门机构管理珍珠采捕，广西合浦逐渐形成珍珠贸易市场，史称“廉州珠市”。
到了汉代，合浦作为珍珠专门的集散地，开始出现商贾用珍珠与交址（今越南）一带交换粮食，这是较早的国际珍珠贸易形式之一。
汉代开始，在靠近合浦的北部湾海域，逐渐形成多个珍珠产量很高的珠池，合浦成为我国主要的海水珍珠产地，采珠业成为产业，合浦有数千人以采珠为生，史称“珠民”。
西汉时期，王室广泛使用珍珠，“富者以多珠为荣”。汉大夫晁错记载：“夫珠玉金银……众贵之者，以上用之故也。”晁错在《盐铁论》中描述，皇宫光明殿“金玉珠玑为帘箔，处处明月珠”。
Southern pearl became the protagonist of the pearl market and the main commodity that China sold to the West through the Maritime Silk Road.In the Qin Dynasty, special institutions were set up in Lingnan to manage pearl harvesting. Hepu gradually formed pearl trading market, known as “Lianzhou Pearl Market”.In the Han Dynasty, Hepu became the pearl distribution center, traders began to trade pearls for grain with the Vienamese, which was one of the earlier forms of international pearl trade.Since the Han Dynasty, many pearl pools with high pearl production have gradually formed in the Beibu Gulf sea area near Hepu. Hepu became the main seawater pearl producing area in China. Thousands of people in Hepu make a living by pearl capturing, called “Pearl Farmer”.During the Western Han Dynasty, the royal family used pearls widely, and “the rich are proud of having more pearls”. Chao Cuo, a officer in the Han Dynasty, recorded: “The pearls, jade, gold and silver... people honor it because it's used by royalty.” Salt and Iron written by Chao Cuo, described the Palace of Guangming Hall “gold, jade and pearls are curtain foils, and bright pearls are everywhere.”
东汉时期，合浦珍珠采捕活动频繁，珍珠资源遭到严重破坏，几近绝迹。汉顺帝期间，孟尝迁守合浦，革除前弊，改善民生，不到一年，“去珠复还，百姓皆返其业，商货流通”，合浦的珍珠产量得到恢复。这就是历史上有名的“合浦珠还”的故事。
During Eastern Han Dynasty, pearl harvesting activities in Hepu were frequent, and pearl resources were severely damaged and almost disappeared. During the reign of Emperor Shun of the Han Dynasty, Meng Chang came to Hepu, eliminated the former drawbacks and improved people's livelihood. Within a year, the lost pearls returned, people resumed their business, goods began to circulate again, the pearl production recovered in Hepu. This is the famous story of “Recovery of lost pearl” in history.
在珍珠的第一次兴盛期，产于合浦的海水珍珠成为珍珠市场的主要商品，“南珠”的地位得到确立和认同，历史文献开始较多的出现南珠的记录。这一时期，南珠被用于衣、住、行、医药等生活相关的领域，并成为我国通过海上丝绸之路开展国际贸易的重要商品。
In the first boom of pearls, seawater pearls produced in Hepu became the main commodity in the pearl market, the status of “Southern Pearl”was established and recognized, and historical documents began to appear more records of Southern Pearl. During this period, southern pearl was used in clothing, housing, transportation, medicine and other life-related fields, and became the important commodity for China to carry out international trade through the maritime Silk Road.
珠还合浦
Recovery of lost pearl
美好的人或物品失而复得。
The lost people or things are recovered.
牛衣对泣
Weep together in coarse clothes
夫妻情深义重，共渡患难。
The couple are deeply in love and overcome difficulties together.
第贰次兴盛期
宋元明时期
The Second Flourishing Qeriod: Song, Yuan and Ming Dynasties
宋代发明南珠的人工养殖技术，并传到日本；明代在合浦（今北海市合浦县）建成白龙珍珠城，南珠产量达到历史高峰。
公元972年，宋太祖诏令合浦设置媚川郡，严禁民间私采南珠。南珠正式成为合浦每年向朝廷进贡的贵重物品，直至南宋高宗绍兴二十六年（公元1156年）诏“免廉州岁贡珍珠，解散丁，船民采珠自便”，南珠才重新在民间流通。宋代开创了我国人工养殖珍珠的先河，并将养殖珍珠的方法传到了日本。
元代进一步加强对合浦南珠的控制，并在合浦设立廉州采珠都提司，专管采珠。元代的采珠规模及技术，总体与宋代持平。
In the Song Dynasty, the artificial breeding technology of southern pearl was invented and spread to Japan; In the Ming Dynasty, Bailong Pearl City was built in Hepu, and the production of southern pearl reached a historical peak.In 972 A.D., Emperor Taizu of the Song Dynasty established Meichuan County in Hepu, and forbade private harvesting of southern pearls. The southern Pearl officially became the tribute to the imperial court every year. It was not until the 26th year of ShaoXing, Emperor Gaozong of the Southern Song Dynasty (in 1156 A.D.) announced that “people in Lianzhou are exempt from pearl tribute, and can pick pearls freely”, southern pearl were then re-circulated in market. The Song Dynasty pioneered the cultivation of pearls in China, and spread the method to Japan.In Yuan Dynasty, the control of Hepu pearl was further strengthened, and the Lianzhou Pearl Division was established in Hepu to control the pearl industry .The scale and technology of pearl capturing in the Yuan Dynasty were generally the same as the Song Dynasty.
明代是我国历史上采珠最盛的时期，有文献记载的大型采珠活动达20多次。明代在合浦修建了白龙珍珠城，专用于南珠的采集、加工和贸易，并从宫内派驻太监直管采珠。白龙珍珠城盛况空前，“钦差衮衮扬红尘，中官摩肩次第行。东西三百丈，称采琢磨各分工；南北数十村，千家烟火望潮生。子夜零星万户寂，珠城鼎盛灯不息。”这一时期，南珠产量迅速提升，计量单位也由颗、粒改为斤、两。明弘治十二年（公元1449年），明孝宗下诏从合浦、雷州征集官船800艘、珠民8000人，集中采珠，得珠28000两，这是有文献记载以来，我国古代采珠最高峰的一年。
The Ming Dynasty was the most prosperous period of pearl capturing in the history of our country. There were more than 20 large-scale pearl capturing activities recorded in the literature. In the Ming Dynasty, Bailong Pearl City was built in Hepu, dedicated to the capturing, processing and trade of southern pearls, and eunuchs were dispatched from the palace to supervise the pearl industry. There was a exceptionally grand occasion in the Bailong Pearl City.During this period, the output of Southern Pearl increased rapidly, and the unit of measurement was also changed from grain to kilo. In the twelfth year of Hongzhi in Ming Dynasty (in 1449 A.D.), Emperor Xiaozong issued an edict to collect 800 official ships and 8,000 people from Hepu and Leizhou to fish for pearls and got 1400kg pearls eventually. This is the year with the highest peak of pearl capturing in ancient China.
明代的南珠不仅产量大，人工养殖珍珠的技术，在前代基础上也获得进一步完善和提升；珍珠被广泛用于首饰、服饰、珠帘、器物、医药，达到历史高峰。
The Ming Dynasty not only produced a large number of southern pearls, but also improved the technology of cultured pearls on the basis of the previous generations. Pearls are widely used in jewelry, clothing, bead curtains, utensils, and medicine, reaching a historical peak.
根据明末科学家宋应星的《天工开物》记载的当时场景还原。在没有保护措施的情况下，珠民徒手潜入深海采珠，处境恶劣，随时面临生命危险。所以有“以人易珠也未可得”、“一颗珠子千滴泪”、“一珠得来万骨枯”之说。
始建于明代洪武初年，城“周三百三十丈有奇，高一丈八尺”，是朝廷派来的采珠太监巡检珠场、收珠的居所。城墙填充泥土和珠贝，于抗战期间被毁，仅余南城残垣。1992年重建了南城门楼。
According to the works by Song Yingxing, a scientist in the late Ming Dynasty, recorded that in the absence of protective measures, the pearl farmers dive into the deep sea to collect pearls with their bare hands. Therefore, there are sayings that “you can't get a pearl with a human being”, “a pearl from thousand tears”, and “a pearl from ten thousand bones”. The Bailong Pearl City was built in the early years of Hongwu in the Ming Dynasty, where is the residence of eunuchs sent by the imperial court to supervise the pearl industry. The city wall was filled with earth and pearl shells, which were destroyed during the War. In 1992, the south gate was rebuilt.
以命易珠
Exchange life for pearls
历史上珠民采集南珠常冒生命危险，由此可见南珠珍贵。
Exchange life for pearls: In history, pearl farmers often risked their lives to collect southern pearls, which shows that southern pearls are precious.
割股藏珠
Cut ass to hide pearl
南珠自有坚贞品格，欺压百姓 巧取强夺终不可得。
Southern pearl has its own steadfast character, oppress, steal, and rob, will never be achieved.
没水采珠图
Fish for pearls by sinking into the bottom of the water.
明代白龙珍珠城复原图
A restoration of the Bailong Pearl City in The Ming Dynasty.
第叁次兴盛期
新中国成立至今
The Third Flourishing Penod: Since the Founding of The PRC
1993年，北海市珍珠公司的白蝶母贝植核取得成功，南珠养殖向多贝种扩展。 (右一为时任总经理何秀英女士)
In 1993, White-lip oyster nuclear implant succeed in Beihai Pearl Company, and the cultivation of southern pearls expanded to multiple oyster species.
1997年，王世全先生收购北海市珍珠总公司（南珠宫前身），并在何秀英女士、沈祖陶先生等历任南珠产业带头人的经营基础上，将北海南珠产业的发展，推进到一个新阶段。这一时期，王世全先生在北海投资建成中国历史上第一所南珠主题的博物馆和北海第一所南珠主题文化酒店；参与或协助北海建设我国唯一的国家级珍珠检测中心——国家珍珠及珍珠制品质量监督检验中心；合浦南珠通过国家认证，成为中华人民共和国地理标志保护产品；南珠宫参与制作的中国历史上首个海水珍珠标准样品，获得批准和颁行；南珠宫设计开发的南珠产品，作为我国传统文化产品的代表之一，屡次面向全球展出，并被作为国礼向多国政要赠送。
In 1997, Mr. Wang Shiquan acquired Beihai Pearl Corporation (the predecessor of Pearl Royal), and promoted the development of southern pearl industry to a new stage based on the operation of Ms. He Xiuying, Mr. Shen Zutao and other leaders. During this period, Mr. Wang Shiquan invested and built the first Southern pearl-themed museum and the first Southern pearl-themed cultural hotel in the history of China; Participated in or assisted Beihai to build the only national pearl testing center in China (National Quality Supervision and Inspection Center of Pearl and Pearl Products); Hepu southern pearl passed the national certification, it has become a protected product of geographical indications of the PRC; Pearl Royal participated in the production of the first seawater pearl standard sample; As one of the representatives of traditional cultural products in China, southern pearls have been exhibited to the world for many times, and presented as national gift to dignitaries from many countries.
2021年12月，国家级消费品（珍珠）标准化试点项目落地南珠宫。国家标准委选择了南珠宫，也是选择了南珠行业；南珠宫将通过标准化试点项目的建设，推动南珠行业甚至是整个珍珠行业的高水平发展。
In December 2021, the national consumer goods (pearl) standardization pilot project landed in Pearl Royal. The National Standards Committee chose Pearl Royal, and it also chose the southern pearl industry; Pearl Royal will promote the high-level development of the southern pearl industry and even the entire pearl industry by the construction of standardized pilot projects.
我国现代海水珍珠产业从北海兴起，南珠养殖从单一贝种养殖升级到多贝种养殖。北海成为我国现代海水珍珠产业的中心。
1957年，周恩来总理指示，“要把几千年落后的捕珠改为人工养殖珍珠”，“一定要把南珠生产搞上去。”1958年，南珠宫的前身，合浦专区珍珠养殖试验场培育出了我国现代第一颗海水养殖珍珠。此后数十年内，北海南珠迅猛发展，其产量与技术，屡次获得突破。1962年，在广东海洋大学熊大仁教授的指导下，北海珍珠养殖试验场（南珠宫前身）攻克难关，获得马氏珠母贝人工批量育珠的成功。1966年，我国取得马氏珠母贝人工育苗成功。1985年，激光育苗试验再获突破。1990年，南珠宫育种团队在合浦海域捕获中国迄今最大的天然海水珍珠“南珠王”。1993年，白蝶母贝植核成功；2011年，中国海水珍珠的标准样品发布。这一系列重大事件，见证了南珠行业日新月异的发展。
China's modern seawater pearl industry emerged from Beihai, and the culture of southern pearl was upgraded from using one single oyster species to multiple oyster species. Beihai has become the center of China's modern seawater pearl industry.
In 1957, Premier Zhou Enlai instructed that “We need to transform the backward pearl capturing to artificial culturing and must increase the output of Southern Pearl”. In 1958, the predecessor of Pearl Royal, Hepu Pearl Breeding Test Site cultivated the first seawater cultured pearl in China. In the following decades, southern pearl industry has developed rapidly in Beihai, and its output and technology have repeatedly made breakthroughs. In 1962, under the guidance of Professor Xiong Daren of Guangdong Ocean University, Hepu Pearl Breeding Test Site overcame the difficulties and achieved the success of artificial batch breeding of Pinctada martensii. In1966, China achieved the success of artificial seedling of Pinctada martensii. In 1985, the laser seedling experiment made another breakthrough. In1990, the breeding team of Pearl Royal captured China's largest natural seawater pearl “King of Southern Pearl” in Hepu sea area.In 1993, White-lip oyster nuclear implant succeed; In 2011, the standard sample of Chinese seawater pearls was released. This series of major events has witnessed the rapid development of the Southern Pearl industry.
中国珍珠之父熊大仁教授 右一（1910年-1981年）
Professor Xiong Daren, the father of pearls in China (1910-1981).
400-663-1958
广西北海市茶亭路4-1号
