--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: For written messages, the Chinese would…" description: "\"“For written messages, the Chinese would often write on exceedingly thin silk or paper, which they rolled into a ball and covered with wax. The messeng..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/23d/david-kahn-13896_quote_for-written-messages-the-chinese-would-o_1404757.jpg" --- # For written messages, the Chinese would often write on… ![“For written messages, the Chinese would often write on exceedingly thin silk or paper, which they rolled into a ball and covered with wax. The messenger hid the wax ball, or “la wan,” somewhere about his person, or in his rectum, or he sometimes swallowed it.” quote by David Kahn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/23d/david-kahn-13896_quote_for-written-messages-the-chinese-would-o_1404757.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/23d/david-kahn-13896_quote_for-written-messages-the-chinese-would-o_1404757.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/23d/david-kahn-13896_quote_for-written-messages-the-chinese-would-o_1404757.jpg) > ““For written messages, the Chinese would often write on exceedingly thin silk or paper, which they rolled into a ball and covered with wax. The messenger hid the wax ball, or “la wan,” somewhere about his person, or in his rectum, or he sometimes swallowed it.”” [David Kahn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-kahn/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Ancient Chinese messengers used wax‑wrapped silk balls, sometimes concealed in body cavities, for secret communication. **In simple terms:** Secret messages hidden in wax balls. Key Takeaway Recognize creative covert methods. Themes history espionage innovation Mood intrigued serious Type historical educational When to use this quote - museum exhibit - spy thriller - academic lecture - historical reenactment Key Concepts cryptography cultural practices Questions to Reflect On - What motivated such extremes? - How would you secure a message? A Different Perspective Such methods are risky and uncomfortable. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Chinese Write](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chinese-write-4221107/) [Messages Chinese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/messages-chinese-4932785/) [Silk Paper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/silk-paper-971128/) [Wax Messenger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wax-messenger-4932786/) [Written Messages](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/written-messages-4932784/) ## Related quotes > [“And there in the snow lay the pictures, like jewels bedded in white silk. 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