湘绣
Xiang Embroidery
Xiang embroidery, or "Xiang Xiu" (湘绣), is world-renowned for creating astonishingly lifelike animal portraits—especially the legendary tiger embroideries that seem to breathe with life. This art form captures the bold, passionate spirit of Hunan province.
Cultural Heritage
文化传承 · The Living Tradition
Rooted in the ancient Chu Kingdom's artistic traditions, Xiang embroidery reflects Hunan's reputation for producing bold innovators and fierce warriors. The same spirit that created the region's famous spicy cuisine infuses its embroidery with dramatic vitality and emotional power.
Warring States Period (475-221 BCE)
Excavations from the Mawangdui Han Tombs near Changsha revealed exquisite embroidered silk garments over 2,100 years old, proving Hunan's ancient mastery. The modern Xiang embroidery tradition took shape in the late Qing Dynasty when a revolutionary technique for creating photorealistic animal portraits was developed. In 1912, Xiang embroidery tiger pieces won the Gold Medal at the Turin International Exposition, stunning Western audiences and establishing its worldwide reputation.
UNESCO Recognition
Inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2006
Masterful Techniques
工艺特点 · The Art of the Stitch
Mao Zhen (毛针) - Fur Stitch
The signature technique for creating lifelike animal fur, where each strand is individually embroidered with perfect light and shadow.
Gui Zhen (鬼针) - Ghost Stitch
Invisible stitches that create seamless color transitions, giving animals their lifelike dimensionality.
Ink Wash Painting Style
Techniques that recreate the subtle gradations of traditional Chinese ink painting in silk thread.
Eye Technique
A specialized method requiring 1,000+ stitches for a single animal eye, capturing the soul within.
Signature Themes
- •Majestic tigers with piercing eyes
- •Lions with flowing manes
- •Eagles and other birds of prey
- •Traditional Chinese landscape paintings
- •Portraits of historical figures
“A tiger's eye must contain its soul. One thousand stitches for a single eye—that is how we bring silk to life. When someone looks at my tiger and feels its power, I know I have succeeded.”
Master Li Jian
National Inheritor of Xiang Embroidery, 45 years experience
Preserving the Future
The Hunan Embroidery Research Institute leads preservation efforts, while master embroiderers continue pushing artistic boundaries. Recent innovations include three-dimensional tiger sculptures entirely made of embroidered silk.
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