Chinese embroidery has been a traditional practice for thousands of years. It consists of stitching a unique pattern onto a background material using embroidery needles. Through the centuries, many different styles and techniques have been created and perfected, but perhaps the four most prominent are: the Su, the Xiang, the Yue, and the Shu.
The Su technique is very popular throughout China. It was developed around 2000 years ago and has undergone some important changes. During the Song Dynasty, this fine art was produced widely. Since then, though, it has been combined with Japanese and Western fine art sand to produce even brighter effects. It has also grown significantly in the 20th century. In Danyang, irregular embroidery techniques were consummated. The Embroidery Research Institute was founded in 1957. Su embroidery is known for its simple design. A mere strand of thread is divided into 48 smaller threads. They are so small that it is almost invisible to the naked eye. The stitching is smooth, neat, and highly refined.
The Xiang method of embroidery was born in the Chu kingdom at the time of the Warring States. This type of embroidery also has its roots in the Su and Yue techniques. Although Xiang is not as neat as the other techniques are, it is very colorful and harmonious. Different colored threads are carefully sewed into the design showing a gradual color change. Lions and dragons are commonly portrayed in the embroidery. It won the best award in the World Fair in Italy in 1912 and also the Panama World Fair in 1933. It is considered the ideal type of embroidery.
Yue embroidery took its roots in the Tang Dynasty. During those times, embroiders would take peacock feathers and twist them into ornamental designs. Horsetail was also used to make it bolder. Yue embroidery is smooth and even and usually depicts birds, phoenixes, and dragons. Now they are mostly found in Changsha, the capital city of the province, Hunan.
The last technique of the 4 is the Shu. Shu is embroidered by hand and is usually very soft and smooth. A variety of satins and colored threads are used to make the embroidery. They usually portray flowers, birds, fish, dragons, and many other objects. Shu products are found mostly in Chengdu, the capital city of the province, Sichuan.
