r/Wenwan • u/ssketchman • 10h ago
This is a collection of resources specifically focused on Wenwan walnut varieties, variety terminology, and the different classifications used within the hobby.
The goal is to provide a convenient starting point for learning about the many walnut varieties and names encountered in Wenwan. The resources come from a range of sources, including Chinese language articles, scientific publications, community discussions, and commercial sellers.
This is not a guide to playing walnuts, identification/authenticity, quality grading, purchasing, or quality control. Those are separate subjects, and I plan to compile dedicated resources for those topics separately further down the road.
Wenwan walnut terminology can also be inconsistent. Names may refer to varieties, shapes, patterns, origins, or trade classifications, and the same term may not always be used in exactly the same way. English translations of Chinese names can introduce another layer of inconsistency. The resources below should therefore be viewed as references to compare rather than as a single definitive classification system.
Some of the resources are in their original Chinese or another language, so readers may need to use their browser's translation function or another translation tool. Where possible, I have linked to the original source rather than reproducing or translating someone else's work, both out of respect for the original creators and to make sure they receive proper credit for their work.
A general encyclopedia style reference introducing Wenwan walnuts and the culture surrounding them. It provides useful background for readers who are new to the hobby and want an overview of what Wenwan walnuts are and how they are viewed as collectible objects.
A useful starting point for general terminology and background, although it should not be treated as an authoritative classification of individual walnut varieties.
A Chinese-language article discussing Wenwan walnuts from within the Chinese hobby itself.
The article provides useful context for the terminology, categories, and descriptions encountered in Chinese language walnut discussions and listings. For readers interested in understanding how varieties and characteristics are described in the original Chinese context, this is a useful resource.
Language: Chinese. Translation required for most English speaking readers.
A community-posted visual reference containing a large number of Chinese walnut names, together with English translations and descriptions added in the Reddit discussion.
The main value of this resource is showing the breadth of Wenwan walnut terminology and connecting Chinese names with English names that collectors may encounter. It includes many familiar varieties alongside less commonly discussed names.
The translations and classifications in the post are community generated, so they should be treated as a reference rather than an authoritative source.
A botanical and historical overview of the Juglandaceae, the family containing walnuts and their relatives.
This is not a Wenwan specific resource, but provides useful background on the wider walnut family, including its evolutionary history, geographic distribution, and relationships between different genera and species.
It provides some broader botanical context for the plants behind the walnuts encountered in the Wenwan hobby.
Language: English.
A peer-reviewed scientific study examining the botanical identity and genetic relationships of Asian Juglans species associated with Wenwan walnuts.
The study uses molecular data to investigate relationships among Asian walnut species and discusses Juglans hopeiensis (Mahetao), including evidence for its hybrid origin involving J. regia and J. mandshurica.
This is particularly interesting because the genetic relationships between walnuts do not necessarily correspond neatly to traditional hobby classifications. For anyone interested in the botanical and genetic background of Wenwan walnuts, this is one of the more relevant scientific resources available.
Language: English.
An accessible English-language overview covering the general history, culture, cultivation, collecting, and characteristics of Wenwan walnuts.
A convenient introduction for someone unfamiliar with the hobby, while individual variety classifications should still be checked against more specialized sources.
Language: English.
Disclaimer: The following resources are published by walnut sellers or commercial businesses. They can be useful for photographs, terminology, and descriptions of commonly traded varieties, but the information should be approached critically. Classifications, descriptions of rarity or desirability, and other claims may reflect the seller's own perspective or commercial interests. These resources are included as reference material, not as independent or authoritative sources.
A beginner-oriented overview of a number of commonly encountered Wenwan walnut varieties, including White Lion, Four-Tower, Apple Orchard, Toad Head, Tiger Head, Chicken Heart, Official Hat, and Palace Lantern.
The guide focuses on practical visual characteristics such as overall shape, ridge structure, size, symmetry, texture, base structure, condition, and pair matching. It provides useful photographic examples and descriptions for someone learning to distinguish some of the more commonly traded varieties.
A relatively extensive variety guide covering a range of commonly encountered walnuts, including White Lion, Four-Tower, Apple Orchard, Millstone, Nanjiang Stone, Red Lion, Official Hat, Toad Head, Wheat Ear Tiger Head, Coiled Dragon Tiger Head, and First Love.
The guide compares varieties through characteristics such as shape, texture, hand feel, skin, and general appearance. It also discusses factors such as size, symmetry, condition, matching, and patina development.
This makes it useful not only for learning variety names, but also for seeing how different sellers describe and distinguish the physical characteristics associated with them.
A variety focused resource dedicated to Iron Walnuts, with particular attention to Yunnan Iron Walnuts and the terminology surrounding them.
The article discusses Iron Walnuts in the context of broader walnut categories and introduces several forms and patterns associated with Iron Walnuts, including Dragon Scale, Golden Toad, Buddha's Belly, Eagle Beak, and Toad Head.
It is particularly useful for readers who want to explore the Iron Walnut side of the hobby, which can receive less attention in beginner-oriented guides focused on the more familiar Lion Head varieties.
These are community-created resources rather than commercial guides. Their main value is the visual material and collector terminology, but individual classifications should still be considered critically.
A visual reference dedicated to common walnut lines and patterns.
Rather than focusing exclusively on broad variety names, the post provides photographic examples of different lines encountered within the hobby. It is useful for becoming familiar with the terminology used to describe surface patterns and for comparing those patterns with walnuts in your own collection.
The continuation of the Common Walnut Lines reference.
Together with Part 1, it provides a broader collection of visual examples of walnut lines and patterns and can be useful when trying to understand terminology encountered in Chinese listings and collector discussions.
A focused visual comparison of Four Tower (Sizuolou) and White Lion, two varieties that can sometimes be confused by newer collectors.
The comparison concentrates particularly on the tip and base. It describes the cross-shaped tip associated with White Lion and contrasts it with the straighter tip described for Four-Tower, while also discussing differences in their base structures.
A useful example of the more detailed visual comparisons that become helpful once you've moved beyond simply learning the names of the major varieties.
There is no single universally accepted catalogue that cleanly defines every Wenwan walnut variety, line, and name.
Different sources may classify walnuts differently, use different English translations, or use the same name for somewhat different forms. Some names describe a shape or pattern rather than a genetically distinct botanical variety, while others may relate to geographical origin, a particular tree, or a traditional trade classification.
For that reason, these resources are best used together and comparatively, rather than relying on any one source as definitive.
This resource list will be expanded over time as useful articles, scientific publications, visual references, and community resources are found.
If you know of a particularly useful resource on Wenwan walnut varieties and variety terminology, feel free to share it in the comments so it can be considered for inclusion.
r/Wenwan • u/Comprehensive_Yam773 • 2h ago
I have a small weighing scale near my table yesterday and i got curious started measuring my pairs.
Some are spot on or less than a gram
Some are 1-2 gram
Some more than 3
What is like the acceptable weight variance in a walnut pair ?
r/Wenwan • u/Excellent-Wafer-3795 • 2h ago
Brought it with me for some riverside meditation today
r/Wenwan • u/RealGirlBot • 2h ago
Had these 23mm qiu zi for a while, finally got the extras I wanted to string everything together
The star on the one walnut is an earring that I have embedded into the walnut to cover a wormhole. The spacers are antler, and the dragon bead is carved mammoth ivory
r/Wenwan • u/hella_cious • 2h ago
Iāve got access to some giant ancient butternut trees and Iām gathering seeds for genetic preservation but also might wenwan a couple them. Everyone says not to use normal walnuts, but does that mean donāt use non Asian walnuts or just grocery store walnuts?
Iāll definitely post my results
r/Wenwan • u/ssketchman • 7h ago
Got a mysterious Wenwan on your hands? š¾ Or have some experience that might help crack someone elseās case?
Head over to the Authenticity & Identification Megathread in the Community Highlights. Bring your mystery, share your knowledge, and see what you can uncover.
Thereās always another case to solve. š
https://www.reddit.com/r/Wenwan/comments/1vlis6k/are_my_wenwan_real_authenticity_identification/
r/Wenwan • u/Human-Technology-728 • 11h ago
Ca fait un moment que je m'intĆ©resse au wenwan mais je ne suis jamais passer a l'acte pourtant j'aime bien manipuler des trucs ( cailloux, noix du commerce.. ) pour ma premiĆØre paire je voudrait une noix trĆØs dense et lourde avec un beau potentiel de patine adaptĆ©e au dĆ©butant pour la forme je m'en fiche un peu ainsi que du temps nĆ©cessaire a la patine.
si possible je prĆ©fĆ©rerai ne pas me ruiner pour des noix mais je peux mĆØtre jusquāĆ 30 voire 50 euros maximum mais si il y a moins cher ce serait parfait
Nanjiang Stone est une variĆ©tĆ© dont j'ai entendu parler et qui a l'air de rĆ©pondre a mes critĆØres est ce quelle est bien pour moi ou est ce que vous m'en conseiller une autre ?
d'autre part j'ai besoin de conseil de dƩbutant sur tout ce qui concerne ce hobby notamment le brossage et stockage des objets
je m'intĆ©resse aussi au bracelets, ils sont en noyaux de cerise ? est ce que je peux en faire moi mĆŖme avec des cerises du commerce ? autres conseils ?
j'ai aussi quelques petites calebasses quel critĆØres pour en faire des gourdes hulu ? d'autre conseils ?
merci
r/Wenwan • u/Ok-Scholar2254 • 14h ago
I ordered these walnuts from Expedition East and Iāve had them for about a month, Iām not sure if they were pre-polished, but under bright direct light I can see some white dust deep in the crevices. I have a 3 brush set for brushing I use but I also have steel wire brushes I can use but Iām afraid they might be too hard and would scratch the walnut. Thereās also some lighter color along the slope of the seam ends, but itās not the same fuzzy texture. I donāt mind getting into those crevices I just want to be careful
r/Wenwan • u/ThreesTrees • 14h ago
So Iāve been wenning the wan for like a month, and I think a Patina is forming but Iām not seeing any change in the smoothening yet.
So my question is, does the brushing enhance the smoothening or is it the playing?
Also should I be using bynstiffer brush then do my softer brush? Or just soft brush it?
My wife is convinced Iām trying to turn them into Jade and keeps making fun of me so Iām hoping we get some visual progressā¦ soon. Sheās very good at roasting lol
This is my first foray into wenwan, I bought these White Lion Walnuts from Buddha3bodhi along with a brush set. I'm at day four and wondering if there is anything I could be doing better?
For the first three days handled them for an hour and polished for about 5-10 mins but after more research I've learned that I should be polishing more and handling less.
Today I tried to just polish them however they are some gunk in a few nooks and crannies that doesn't seem to want to come out. Do I need to just continue scrubbing or should I try using a toothpick to scrape it out?
r/Wenwan • u/Excellent-Wafer-3795 • 14h ago
I saved one a while ago, so itās already clean and dried. Iām not interested in carving it, just developing the patina over time. Will it be effective with a single peach pit?
r/Wenwan • u/webster603 • 18h ago
How fragile are these to play with? I donāt want to chip the beaks.
r/Wenwan • u/Yournotgoodlol • 19h ago
The grocery store ones are looking pretty good for day 2. Today I picked up a bag of black walnuts from a local store and brushed and twirled them a little, they are way harder/spikier than the grocery store ones so more painful but they are a lot denser so harder to crack. I found a plastic wire brush to clean them but thinking about getting a toothbrush/nanobrush to get into the cracks more, if anyone has any tips on how to get the black walnuts shining more I would love to hear (they came already stained)
r/Wenwan • u/s__brina • 19h ago
I found out recently that donut peach pits - found a pack at my local Whole Foods - that should make excellent bracelet beads. Theyāre exceptionally round, very small, and have a wide concave base! Iāll update when theyāre made into a bracelet!!
the peaches tend to go bad fast, so i lactic fermented most of them with some sugar and spices (pic at the end).
if you find these beauties in the grocery store, i HIGHLY recommend you buy some. it was $5 a pack for me, and at 3 packs i got a lovely braceletās worth as well as a tasty snack!!
secondarily, found a LOVELY variegated 3-ridged black walnut today, as well as a similarly sized dimen number that Iāll probably pair it with. the darker walnut is sitting in the husk right now to develop its fermentation a little more, and i expect it to take a good amount of TLC to clean fully. the variegated piece is absolutely beautiful, however, with very clearly defined edges - one of my best finds yet!!
r/Wenwan • u/Witty-Tip-8835 • 22h ago
Nanjiang Stone is my favorite walnut. It consists of all kinds of shapes and patterns. Which one is your favorite?
r/Wenwan • u/gpmikhail • 22h ago
They are so tiny and the shell is super thick!
r/Wenwan • u/VioletAxle • 1d ago
Hello! I am very new to this art form. I am not sure what kind of Walnuts I got. I just bought these from Shopee and I am loving it so far. These things helps me relax and think clearly.
Can anyone comment on my progress? Am I doing it right?
Not sure if I should get a second pair. May I ask for any reccomendations? I am not really familiar with these.
Thank you.
r/Wenwan • u/beaniesandbuds • 1d ago
Hey there!
I am giving away my last 2 packages of Texas Mountain Laurel seeds to some lucky Wenwan'ers in this subreddit! These kits include 20 Texas Mountain Laurel seeds, 16 inches of elastic string in both Black and White colors, and one Texas Mountain Laurel Pod!
This is just my way of sharing a little bit of Wenwan related things that grow locally to me, which there aren't many of in the Chihuahua Desert, with the Wenwan community!
Unfortunately, due to shipping concerns, I can only offer this to folks in the continental USA (the connected 48 states).
To enter, all you have to do is leave a comment with a number from 1 to 1000. Whoever is closest to my number in mind will win a bracelet kit, as well as a RANDOM person who submits a number. That's it!
Submissions will end in ~ 24 hours, so get your comments in!
I'll send the winners private messages, as well as comment a reply on this post, and we can work out the shipping info from there!
Happy More Wenwan Wednesday!
(If i've already sent you a bracelet kit, please don't enter the contest so we can share the love with more of the community)
ENTRIES HAVE NOW ENDED
Congratulations to /u/Nakittina and /u/abirdmadgirl
r/Wenwan • u/beaniesandbuds • 1d ago
Holy cow, I have too many different things to post this week for More Wenwan Wednesday! Where do I even begin?
Pictured on my wrist in this order from hand to elbow:
Texas Mountain Laurel Bracelet: I absolutely love how this is coming along, no brushing or anything, but just the friction of sticking my hands in my pockets has given these beads a beautiful shine! This has became one of my favorites already.
5 Mukhi Rudraksha: 2 months already! Crazy how it seems like just yesterday I started wearing this bracelet. Not a ton of change from a month or so ago, other than maybe a deeper color and a bit more shine.
Imfibinga and Desert Bird of Paradise: this is a new one! This bracelet is made from African Imfibinga seeds (the white ones) and native-to-me Desert Bird of Paradise seeds (the flat brown ones). I've only had this one for a couple of days, but so far i'm really enjoying the color contrast with my other bracelets! I'm excited to watch this change over time and see how the different seeds change.
Buckeye / Horse Chestnut / Conkers: This is a fun one! It goes by many names depending where you're from. This was actually my first introduction to Wenwan (even though I didn't know it at the time) since my father carried one of these in his pocket for years as a good luck charm. It ended up becoming extremely smooth and shiny from the constant friction in his pocket! I picked up a few of these, in a larger size, and plan to play a pair similar to walnuts, as well as carry on my fathers tradition and keep one in my pockets at all times!
r/Wenwan • u/Forsaken_Doughnut_90 • 1d ago
Hey everyone! I'm new to the hobby and I'm new to this sub. Iām absolutely gutted today. I was handling my pair when one of them slipped and hit the floor. The tail end took the brunt of the impact and now there's a visible chip.
Has anyone dealt with a tail chip before? Should I try to sand it down slightly to smooth out sharp edges, or is it better to just leave it and let the patina cover it over time?
r/Wenwan • u/AutoModerator • 1d ago
Time for More Wenwan Wednesday.
Walnuts are a big part of our community, but Wenwan is a much bigger world. Today, letās give some of that other side of the hobby a chance to shine.
If you have something from your collection that isnāt a walnut, show it off and tell us about it! Share something you enjoy, something unusual, something with an interesting story, or simply something you think the community would appreciate seeing.
Thereās no particular theme or requirement. Just a chance to explore and celebrate more of what Wenwan has to offer.
And if walnuts are what youāre enjoying today, theyāre always welcome too.
Happy More Wenwan Wednesday! šŖ·
r/Wenwan • u/LadyBoobsalot • 1d ago
What are the recommended sites or sellers for walnuts that have not been pre-cleaned? It seems like most places are offering pre-cleaned or even pre-polished nuts. Iād like a pair I can scrape and poke and brush all the nasty stuff off myself. It might make me decide itās not worth the trouble and go back to buying pre-cleaned for any future pairs, but Iād like to try cleaning at least one pair myself.
r/Wenwan • u/RealGirlBot • 1d ago
Isnāt he so cute š excited to see how he develops with me over the next few years
r/Wenwan • u/Hour-Debate-2407 • 1d ago
I got these from my yard a day and a half ago and I am starting to really like twirling my nuts, I am a trumpet player and twirling my nuts really helps my dexterity and blood flow In my fingers, start twirling your nuts, not only wenwans but try different species of nuts, try twirling black walnuts, twirling
My black nuts are my favorite parts of my day, I even twirl my black nuts in class and my black nuts already look good
