[Fine Arts] Huayao Cross-stitch Work

Cross-stitch work is a pure manual art of embroidery with strong decorating function. The time it takes to finish one piece of work ranges from three or five days to a month. Huayao cross-stich work is a unique handicraft art popular among Yao minority girls in Longhui County of Hunan Province. The girls are called "Huayao" for the bright decoration of cross-stitch work on their skirts.

Huayao cross-stitch work was formed in Han Dynasty and matured in Ming and Qing Dynasties. The materials are navy or white homespun cloth and yarns of various colors. Models or designs are not necessary because hand- stitching girls can stitch on homespun cloth following its warp or weft, with mounted patterns. The patterns designed from over one thousand items mainly fall into four categories, namely animals, plants, history and customs, among which animals are the most common seen. Cross-stitch work enjoys extraordinary craft, bold and exaggerating mold, well-balanced symmetrical layout and sharply contrasted lights and darks, bringing incredible visual impact.