On a summer afternoon, the cultural experience event of “Artistic Depiction of Hongshan Culture” hosted by Liaoning International Communication Center was underway in a courtyard filled with swaying bamboos and fragrant peonies. Three international students from Vietnam, Thailand, and India studying at Shenyang Normal University learned Liaoning province’s traditional folk embroidery techniques of representative artifacts of Hongshan Culture to showcase their unique charm.
At the Guyue Linxi Cultural Space in Shenyang, the students eagerly admired the exquisite embroidered works created by the inheritor of Shenyang Manchu Embroidery, Bei Xiaoli. One particular piece caught their attention: a vivid green Jade Pig-Shaped Dragon on the off-white cloth, because rarely had they seen an embroidered Jade Pig-Shaped Dragon, even though they were already familiar with it. “Is this really stitched with thread, one stitch after another? It’s almost identical to the one we saw in the museum. It’s truly incredible!” the students exclaimed in wonder.
“Manchu embroidery is characterized by exaggerated shapes, a rustic style, vivid colors, and dozens of techniques. This small Jade Pig-Shaped Dragon alone involves three embroidery techniques,” Bei Xiaoli patiently explained to the students about the features and techniques of Manchu embroidery. “Outline stitches, plain stitches, and whip stitches were applied for the outer contour line, the main body and the inner contour line respectively.”
Colorful silk threads of various hues were arranged on a long table with an antique flavor. Dividing a silk thread into two parts, Bei Xiaoli taught the students how to embroider the outline of the Jade Pig-Shaped Dragon on the frame. Nimble-fingered girls soon learned the basic methods of embroidery. The Vietnamese international student Hanh Phuc, though not yet proficient in her technique, was precise with every stitch. “I have seen the Jade Pig-Shaped Dragon at the Liaoning Provincial Museum before. Through learning embroidery, I have not only gained an understanding of this traditional craft, but also deeply felt the unique charm of antiquities of Hongshan Culture,” she said excitedly.
“It’s ingenious and interesting to experience the beauty of artifacts of Hongshan Culture through embroidery, the intangible cultural heritage. This activity not only taught me the basics of Manchu embroidery, but also sparked a deeper interest in the mysterious Hongshan Culture, inspiring me to learn more about the antiques and stories behind them,” said the Thai international student Natthanan.
