PR100572

HEZE, China, Dec. 13, 2023 /Xinhua-AsiaNet/--

The traditional craft of hand-printed blue cloth in Dongming has a history of

over 200 years. Sun Chaobin, the fifth-generation inheritor of the Sun family's

blue cloth printing tradition in Longshanji Village, Datun Town, Dongming

County, Shandong Province, started learning the craft from his father at the

age of 13 and is now in his sixties.

The craft of blue cloth with white designs is renowned for its traditional folk

techniques of hand spinning, hand weaving, and hand dyeing, showcasing a pure,

simple, vibrant, and harmonious blue-and-white beauty. Widely used in rural

households, this craft is entirely manually dyed, with intricately

hand-engraved patterns and an exceptionally complex production process. The

clear white motifs against the blue backdrop resemble white clouds in a blue

sky, evoking a sense of simple, elegant, refreshing, and serene beauty. This

craft holds significant practical importance in the daily lives of rural

households.

The patterns on blue cloth with white designs typically feature plant and

floral motifs, animal patterns, and sometimes simple geometric shapes. These

patterns are crafted from various natural forms using rich techniques,

resulting in a diverse array of designs. The lively and elegantly simple

patterns are a testament to the long-term accumulation of wisdom through labor

and daily life. With their exquisite form, rich symbolism, unique style, and

auspicious connotations, patterns such as "Phoenix Playing with Peony," "Kylin

Sending Sons," and "Festive Celebration" are beloved by the people.

Source: News Office of the People's Government of Dongming County