According to scientifically derived analysis from numerous archeological findings, the birth of silk production falls within the New Stone Age, which is estimated to be between five to six thousand years ago. Silk production is without a doubt a great creation and accomplishment of Chinese culture and wisdom.
Coinciding with this wisdom is a great sense of pride and inspiration. One legend tells of a warm spring day dating back to the New Stone Age. The wife of Emperor Huang, Queen Ling was strolling in the imperial garden alongside a few palace maids. They saw a fairy maiden descending from heaven followed by mysterious and mystical dancing.
In the palace courtyard horse-skins were laid out to sunbath. Suddenly the horse-skins jumped up and ascended into the sky wrapping the maiden on top of the trees. The maiden transformed into a being with a slender worm-like body and the head of a horse. The worm-like being kept spitting shiny thread so that it piled onto the berries in the trees.
Mesmerized by it all, the queen ordered one maid to climb up a tree and collect some berries. Accidentally, one berry dropped into a cup with warm water meant for the queen. In a state of panic, the maid tried to remove it from the cup. Surprised and intrigued the maid saw a string of fine long thread in the cup. It was shiny, pliable, tough but light and it seemed never ending.
Fascinated by it all, the queen searched the land for mulberry trees, raised silkworms and weaved the luxurious fabric called silk.
