The textile folk crafts of China are known throughout the world for their elegant designs, unique stitch work and cultural significance. Each piece of magnificent embroidery and brocade represents the cultural and traditional heritage of China with many telling stories and legends from certain periods in China’s long history.

Chinese embroidery is the favoured souvenir of many tourists visiting China. The traditional history of embroidery is centuries old and has created some of the most beautiful needlework art known to the world.

Embroidery is a form of needlework which involves sewing designs and patterns on textiles with thread. Coloured thread is pulled through a background material to create a stitched design. There are many different varieties of textiles which can be used including cotton, linen, silk and wool. Embroidered art often includes other materials such as metal strips, pearls, beads and sequins. China is famous for its elaborate embroidery on silk. There are over seventy different embroidery methods throughout the world with many originating in China. These methods include chain stitch, button hole, blanket stitch, running stitch, satin stitch and Beijing stitch.

The history of Chinese embroidery can be officially traced back to the Warring States Period (475-221 BC); however, many believe it began in the Neolithic Period (10000-2000 BC) around six thousand years ago. The earliest form of Chinese embroidery discovered was in the tomb of Mashan in the Hubei province. It is believed to be from the Warring States Period around 300 BC.

During the Han Dynasty (206BC-220AD), embroidery became a popular craft for wealthy women and members of the court to partake in. Embroidery skills and techniques began to increase dramatically. Due to its elegant detailing, embroidered silk textiles became a symbol of wealth and status and this custom was carried down to the Qing dynasty (1644-1912).

Chinese embroidery started to be introduced to the outside world early in the Song Dynasty (960-1279). It was constantly exported through the Silk Road that connected China to Europe. During this time, new embroidery designs and techniques were brought to China from the West and other Asian countries such as Japan and Korea. Many famous embroidered works were created during the Song Dynasty. Many replicas of these art works were produced in the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1912) Dynasties making it hard to distinguish when the original textile was created.

There are four major embroidery styles within China. They are represented by the province they are associated with which are Suzhou, Hunan, Guangdong and Sichuan. The styles are known respectively as Su Xiu, Xiang Xiu, Yue Xiu and Shu Xiu. Each style has been named as an Intangible Cultural Heritage in China.

Chinese cultural symbols are the main subjects used within embroidered art work. Included in many textiles are mandarin ducks for love, pomegranates for fertility and fruit for integrity. Embroidery was also heavily used for religious purposes. Embroidered cloths and banners were often featured in Buddhist temples and rituals. Sutras, statues and prayer flags were popular themes for religious embroidery. Ancient Chinese gods and goddesses are also prominently featured designs.

Handmade silk embroidery is highly sought after in all parts of the world. Due to the development of machine embroidery, the quality of embroidered products has deteriorated making it harder to find authentic silk embroidery. There are still a number of workshops and artisans within China who specialize in silk embroidery and create striking embroidered art works. China continues to encourage the development of handmade embroidery and acknowledges it as a large part of Chinese tradition.

Brocade is the process of weaving raised designs onto a textile. A loom is mainly used to create the amazing patterns. Many styles exist throughout China with the designs and techniques differing from province to province.

Brocade was once regarded the highest technology in Chinese silks and is still created and sold within many provinces. During the Tang Dynasty (618-907), brocade became a well respected art form and was worn by most nobles and scholars of the time. It continued to grow in the Song (960-1279) and Yuan (1271-1368) Dynasties. Brocaded imperial clothing was worn by the emperors of the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1912) Dynasties. Today, brocade is mainly used for curtains, evening dresses, tablecloths and upholstery.

Silk brocade is famous for its exquisite texture and patterns made in satin and twill weaves. Brocaded textiles make beautiful Chinese gifts and souvenirs.

Along with other exquisite textile arts, embroidery and brocade are folk arts which capture the beauty and unique flavor of each different province of China. Many of the techniques and skills which have been passed down from generation to generation have slowly been forgotten leaving only relics of ancient brocade and embroidery styles. China is now turning to current technology to help unravel the mysteries of lost textile styles. Hopefully, the forgotten textile skills and techniques are not lost forever and future generations can continue to produce amazing textile art.