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Chinese embroidery as a kind of decorative needlework has a history of over 2,000 years. Archaeological findings suggest that the embroidery work started in the Zhou dynasty. In the Ming dynasty, this industry reached its peak. Ancient merchants who came to China through the Silk Route carried beautiful embroideries produced in this country to every corner of the world. Now, you can see many beautiful embroidery shops when shopping in Beijing.

Admire a piece of Chinese embroidery, and you can discover that its gorgeous details remind you of a beautiful woman: its elegance, grace, and depth all make you think of a cultured person in China’s past. This is one reason needlework in China is called “Nu Hong,” or “Lady’s Red.”

Of all the local embroidery styles in China, the “Four Major Embroideries” are the most famous. They are Su embroidery, Xiang embroidery, Yue embroidery, and Shu embroidery.

Su embroidery is produced in areas around Suzhou, Jiangsu province. It is the most well-known of all styles, and the most intricate. The works often show animals, natural landscapes, and ancient Chinese gardens. Subtle yet refined colors make the people and animals look especially vivid and lifelike. One famous work shows a cat with bright eyes and smooth, fluffy hair that looks so beautiful and lifelike, a real cat would look dull in comparison.

Xiang embroidery originated in areas around Changsha, Hunan province. Of all styles, this style bears the closest resemblance to Chinese brush painting. You can often appreciate the same kind of void and solid imagery found in a traditional Chinese painting. Its excellent use of contrast of light and shade creates an impressive three-dimensional effect. All of this helps bring out the inner beauty of things. It is said that on a Xiang embroidery work, “Flowers give off fragrance, birds sing songs, tigers run, and figures come alive.”

Yue embroidery is made in areas around Chaozhou, Guangdong province. While Su embroidery plays on subtlety, and Xiang embroidery focuses on inner beauty, Yue embroidery is direct and focuses on depicting outer beauty. The works show vivid patterns, vibrant colors, and closely arranged details.

Shu embroidery is the local style of Sichuan province. It became famous as a kind of artwork as early as the Eastern Han dynasty. For hundreds of years it remained the most popular embroidery style in China. A lot of people like it for its delicate colors and very regular stitching. Many everyday items in China’s markets, like quilts, pillows, and clothes are decorated with Shu embroidery.

There are other embroidery styles in China, including Gu embroidery, Long embroidery, Xinzhou embroidery, Jinnan embroidery, and a number of ethnic styles used by the different ethnic minority groups living in China.

When shopping, look for embroidery work that uses high quality thread, has intricate designs, and demonstrates a high level of workmanship. The notion of fake work doesn’t apply here, since any style can be used by anyone to create embroidery items.

Keep the embroidery work you buy in a dry place with sufficient air and no direct sunlight, and it can keep its like-new condition for a very long time. For more information on selecting high quality works and how to preserve them well, ask the artist himself or find a personal shopper when shopping in Beijing.

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