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Top 9 Facts about Cài Lún

Cai Lun is also known as Tsai Lun was a Chinese eunuch court official of the Eastern Han dynasty. Cai is known as the inventor of paper as well as the papermaking process.

Although there were different types of paper before his great invention; Cai’s paper was of much better quality and lasted longer.

His addition to the paper industry was through the introduction of new material. He added tree barks and hemp ends.

These resulted in the large-scale manufacturing and fast distribution of the paper. The production cost of this paper was also affordable.

Cai rose in rank from being a serviceman at the imperial palace to be a chief eunuch. Other than this, not much about his early life is known.

The information available is not comprehensive and was written 300 years after his death.  

Here are the top 9 facts about Cai Lun.

1. Cai Lun invented writing paper

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China is said to be the first country to use paper, this is traced back to AD 105. By AD 751, it had reached the far East and Europe at the end of the 14^th century.

Cai Lun is the man credited for this great invention together with the papermaking process. He significantly improved on the previously used paper.

Lun added new materials like tree bark, hemp, old rags and fishnets to make the paper long-lasting. This paper making process was fast and cheaper. The use of this paper picked up rapidly in China.   

This invention earned Cai the marquess title in 114.

2. Cai Lun served two Chinese emperors

Cai was born in Leiyang, Guiyang Commandery. He started working at the imperial court in AD 75. His role was that of a chamberlain to Emperor Zhang.

Later on, Cai Lun served under Emperor He as his political counsellor. He had assisted the emperor in a coup against Dowager Empress Dou. Cai got promoted to head of the Imperial Supply Department.

It is interesting to note that Cai had a close relationship with Dowager Empress Deng Sui. She had worked as the marquis for a small village. He was later made in charge of 100 scholars’ new edition of the Five Classics.

3. Cai Lun got promoted by Emperor Hu

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Although Cai had a close relationship with the Dou family, he was not fazed when Hu planned a coup against them. Cai quickly took a job with emperor Hu.

His new position at the imperial court was overseeing the production of ceremonial weapons. This new role expanded his scope and he was said to display exemplary craftsmanship.

It was while working for Emperor Hu that Cai Lun shared his paper making invention. The emperor approved of his invention.

Cai’s paper quickly surpassed the use of bamboo and wooden slips. This invention made Cai wealthy and famous.  

4. His successful achievements were recorded by other dynasties

Cai’s invention was acknowledged by dynasties that ruled China. The Song dynasty included his work in papermaking.

Some dynasties did not acknowledge his invention just because he was a palace eunuch. They regarded him as a low member of society and were controlled.

5. How Cai Lun got his job at the imperial court is unknown

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It is not known how Cai Lun started working at the imperial court. The reason for this is because the palace was a fair distance from his home town.

He started working at the palace in AD 75 during the reign of Emperor Ming. It is believed that he may have known people with a connection to the palace.

Cai knew some ironsmith that was in charge of an iron foundry. They gave him an opportunity to work in the capital where the palace was.

This came in handy for Cai when he was made the head of the weapon production at the palace.   

6. Cai Lun was a Eunuch

Cai is said to have been a castrated eunuch in AD 75. His previous workstation is not known but it is believed he worked in an iron smelting factory.

As a eunuch, Cai worked in imperial service; a role that was eligible for people with specialized tasks. He was tasked with watching the imperial harem and household.

Cai worked as a chamberlain for the royal family. He was able to have close contact with the council and the emperor. This position gave him the opportunity to interact with the mighty and powerful in the empire.  

During his time of service to the palace, Cai rose up the ranks.

7. His paper invention was highly appreciated

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In AD 105, Cai Lun made his paper invention public. This was after he shared this invention with emperor Hu.

Before his invention, the Chinese used bamboo and wooden slips to write. They were heavy and not easy to write on, leave alone store information.

Other methods that were tried like using an animal hair brush, silk or cloth were too expensive.

Cai was motivated to find a practical solution that was also cost-effective. He boiled tree barks, hemp waste, old rags and fishnets. He then dunks the pulp in wooden sieves then dried it. This process was known as Cai Lun paper.

8. There is a Cai Lun shrine in his hometown

When his friend Deng died in AD 121, Cai was accused of attempting to cause harm to the emperor. He was also accused of getting involved in the death of Consort Song.

This led Cai to end his life due to shame.  After his death, a shrine was built at his grave in his hometown. The shrine was however neglected and got damaged by floods.

He was declared a god by the Tang dynasty. Cai was knoen as the god of papermaking. His image would be printed in paper mills and paper shops.

Cheng Tsunghsi raised funds and renovated his damaged shrine. He included a statue and a mausoleum.   

There was a ceremony during the unveiling of the new mausoleum. It was renovated again in 1955.

9. His hometown is famous for papermaking

Cai Lun’s hometown, Leiyang, is still famous for paper making. His name is synonymous with the process.

There is a Cai Lun Paper Culture Museum in his home and about five roads named after him. A religious group was formed by papermakers; they were known as Cai Lun associations.