Han Embroidery

Han Embroidery is a traditional embroidery craft originating from Hubei Province, with a history tracing back to the Warring States Period. It reached its peak during the Ming and Qing Dynasties and was once one of the most representative folk art forms in the Jingchu region. In 2008, it was included in the National Intangible Cultural Heritage List.

Han Embroidery is characterized by "flat gold and embroidery" and excels in using contrasting color combinations, such as bright red, royal blue, and golden yellow, paired with the technique of gold and silver threads for gold-threaded hemming, creating a visually striking decorative effect. Its stitching system is complex and diverse, including dozens of traditional stitches like even stitch, catch stitch, loop stitch, and rolling stitch, as well as unique techniques such as "double-sided embroidery," "raised embroidery," and "appliqué embroidery," which give the embroidery a three-dimensional, bas-relief-like texture and layering. The patterns of Han Embroidery cover a wide range, including traditional auspicious motifs like dragons, phoenixes, qilin, and peonies, as well as elements from Jingchu culture such as myths, legends, historical allusions, and local customs.

During the Qing Dynasty, Han Embroidery was widely used in court ceremonial robes, theatrical costumes, religious artifacts, and folk wedding items, such as dragon and phoenix gowns, canopy edges, and fan pouches. Its exquisite craftsmanship was recorded in local chronicles such as the "Hubei Tongzhi."

Today, Han Embroidery not only preserves the essence of traditional craftsmanship but also incorporates modern design concepts, developing diverse applications such as clothing, home decor, and cultural and creative products. It has become an important artistic carrier connecting the history of Jingchu culture with contemporary life. Its characteristics of "bright colors, dense threads, and neat stitches" and the connotation of "every pattern has a meaning, and every meaning is auspicious" continue to interpret the wisdom and aesthetic pursuit of traditional Chinese craftsmanship.