What does tie-dyeing mean?

Tie-dyeing (also called tying, twisting, clamping and dyeing) is a traditional and unique dyeing process in China. When dyeing, the fabric is partially knotted so that it cannot be dyed, which is one of the traditional manual dyeing processes in China. According to records, knotted anti-dye twisted valerian silk originated in the Eastern Jin Dynasty. It is a printing and dyeing technology which uses yarn, thread and rope to tie, sew, knot and weave fabrics in various forms. [1] Its technological feature is that the dyed fabric is twisted into knots with threads, then printed and dyed, and then the twisted threads are removed. The tie-dyeing skills of Bai people in Dali, Yunnan and Zigong, Sichuan are listed as national intangible cultural heritage by the Ministry of Culture.

Tie dyeing has a long history. Originated in the Yellow River Basin. When it originated is uncertain. The earliest existing tie-dyed products come from Xinjiang. According to records, as early as the Eastern Jin Dynasty, knotted and dye-proof twisted valerian silk was produced in large quantities. Tie-dyeing was a mature technology in the Eastern Jin Dynasty in 408 AD. At that time, the twisted Valeriana products had simple small clusters, such as butterflies, wintersweet and begonia. There are also overall patterns, such as "roe valerian" with white dots, "agate valerian" with larger dots and "deer fetus valerian" with purple spots, which are shaped like sika deer. [2] During the Southern and Northern Dynasties, tie-dyed products were widely used in women's wear. The Tang Dynasty was the heyday of China's ancient culture. Woven fabrics were very popular and common, and "sapphire skirt" became the basic fashion style in the Tang Dynasty. In the Northern Song Dynasty, Valeriana officinalis products were very popular in the Central Plains and northern regions.