Heritage Category

Traditional Crafts

Geographic Origin

Chengdu, Southwest China

Temporal Peak

Han Dynasty (202 BCE–220 CE)

UNESCO Status

Representative List

Transmission

Master-Apprentice (Hands-on)

Primary Vectors

Oral Tradition

CIVILIZATION OBJECT NO. 020

Shu Embroidery

"A 2,000-year-old embroidery style from Sichuan, known for its smooth stitches, vibrant colors, and photo-realistic silk compositions."

CIVILIZATION CONTEXT

info

This artifact is part of the Intangible Heritage Cluster. It connects to 9 entities across the atlas, spanning 1 region, 1 master, 0 festivals, and 0 skills.

01 / ARCHIVAL ORIGINS

Shu Embroidery: A Living Heritage

Shu embroidery from Sichuan Province is one of China's four famous embroidery styles. Known for its smooth, even stitches and vibrant colors, Shu embroidery often depicts landscapes, flowers, birds, and animals. Using fine silk threads on silk or satin fabric, master embroiderers create pieces that are almost photographic in detail. The craft has been practiced for over 2,000 years, with techniques passed down through generations.

2228+

Years of Unbroken Lineage

0

Related Cultural Vectors

FIG. 01: Shu embroidery detail showing a panda in silk thread
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Stories & Legends

Silk: The Thread That Connected Civilizations

historical

The humble silkworm created the world's first global trade network.

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Related Places

THE LIVING BREATH

Generations Preserved

NATIONAL / GEN 1

Cai Xiaoming

Cai Xiaoming is a master of Shu embroidery from Chengdu, Sichuan Province. Learning from her grandmother at age 12, she has spent over 50 years perfecting the art of single-sided and double-sided embr...

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KNOWLEDGE NETWORK

Relationship Constellation

Tracing the invisible threads that connect Shu Embroidery to the broader civilization ecosystem.

KNOWLEDGE PATHWAY

Continue the Journey

ATLAS INDEX: SHU-EMBROIDERY arrow_right_alt