Exploring the art of making silk-wrapped flowers

The art of "chan hua," or making silk-wrapped flowers, draws on the essence of many types of fine art. It is widely recognized as "three-dimensional embroidery" or "thread art sculpture." Making silk-wrapped flowers is a traditional folk craft and one of China's national intangible cultural heritages. 2024 is the Year of the Dragon. The dragon is the ultimate symbol of power, fortune and prosperity in Chinese culture. CGTN's Caroline Wu caught up with the artist to learn about her passion and to see how a silk-wrapped dragon is made.

"I first encountered silk-wrapped flowers because of their beauty and intricacy. They are made of silk thread, and through careful design and weaving, they present various shapes and patterns with high artistic value. I find this very attractive," said Xu Lei.

"This work is called 'Golden Dragon Blessing'," she said. "2024 happens to be the Year of the Dragon, according to the Chinese zodiac. In ancient China, dragons were considered auspicious beings with mysterious and mighty powers. People believed that dragons could bring them good luck and bless them with safety and happiness."

This silk-wrapped dragon was inspired by a coiled dragon pattern she saw on a screen wall in the Forbidden City, which she found particularly majestic because the colored glazes reflected strong traditional Chinese hues. The body of the dragon is made entirely of silk-wrapped flowers. Its spine was created using a welded copper wire technique, and its claws and horns were painted with gold to create a color gradient.

For Xu Lei, silk-wrapped flowers represent the essence of traditional Chinese culture. "Through these works, I hope to showcase the charm of Chinese culture and convey the importance of inheriting and protecting the skills of intangible cultural heritage."