Jade axes appeared in the late Neolithic period. Made of sapphire, the quality of the jade is delicate, and the body of the vessel is mostly tinged with color, simple and natural, with holes on the upper end, which can be tied to the handle, and a blade on the lower end. In the early days, the jade ax was a symbol of royal power held by clan chiefs or leaders of tribal alliances. 玉斧出現於新石器時代的晚期。早在近萬年前的舊石器時代晚期，到新石器時代，古人就已經發現並開始使用玉石了。青玉製成，玉質細膩，器體多出帶有沁色，古樸自然，上端有孔，可縛扎執柄，下端有刃。玉斧在早期為氏族酋長或部落聯盟首領執掌的王權象徵物。