English Introduction of Chinese Embroidery

English Introduction of Chinese Embroidery

Chinese embroidery refers to embroidery created by any culture in the area where modern China is located. This is the oldest existing embroidery. The four regional styles of Chinese embroidery are Suzhou embroidery (Su Xiu), Hunan embroidery (Xiang embroidery), Guangdong embroidery (Yue embroidery) and Sichuan embroidery (Shu embroidery). They are all nominated as China's intangible cultural heritage.

Main style

Su Xiu (Suzhou Embroidery)-Suzhou Embroidery was made in Suzhou, Jiangsu, with a history of 2000 years. It is famous for its beautiful patterns, elegant colors, diverse stitches and exquisite craftsmanship. Its stitching is meticulous, subtle and perfect. Suzhou artists can use more than 40 kinds of embroidery and 1 000 different types of thread to make embroidery, usually with the theme of nature and environment on a piece of cloth, such as flowers, birds, animals and even gardens.

A rare subset is Sue Shuang Mianxiu, who needs ultimate skills and art. The front and back of this dress may have different designs, but the ends are not knotted, but woven together, so the back can't be distinguished.

Xiang embroidery-Xiang embroidery comes from Changsha, Hunan. It is unique with its extremely elegant black, white and gray. Its key point is to emphasize the contrast between light and shade, highlight the pattern texture and produce three-dimensional effects. Xiang embroidery works combine imaginary and real images, and use empty space in the same way as China's ink painting.

Guangdong embroidery is made in Chaozhou, Guangdong Province. It consists of tight but symmetrical patterns, bright colors, different stitches and clear knitting. Its use of primary colors and light and shade reminds people of western painting.

Shu Embroidery (Shu Embroidery)-Shu Embroidery comes from the area around Chengdu, Sichuan Province. This is the oldest embroidery style in the history of Chinese embroidery. Its raw materials are satin and colored silk, and its craft is meticulous and exquisite. The emphasis is on uniform stitching, exquisite coloring and local flavor. Sichuan embroidery is used to decorate quilt covers, pillowcases, clothes, shoes and painted screens.

Other styles

Gu embroidery-Gu embroidery is not so much a local style as a family style. Gu embroidery originated from the Gu family in Shanghai in the Ming Dynasty. Gu embroidery, also called Lu Xiangyuan embroidery, is named after the place where Gu lived. Gu embroidery is different from other styles because it specializes in painting and calligraphy. The inventor of Gu embroidery is a concubine of Gu Huihai, the eldest son of Gu. Later, Han Ximeng, the wife of Gu Mingshi's second grandson, developed this skill and was repeatedly named "Needle Saint". . Some of her masterpieces are kept in the Forbidden City. Today, Gu embroidery has become a specialty in Shanghai.