The Chaoshan region, situated in the eastern part of Guangdong Province, China, encompasses three cities: Chaozhou, Shantou, and Jieyang. It is celebrated for its unique language, cuisine, and culture. Chaozhou embroidery (潮绣), part of China's four renowned embroideries, originates from this area.
Chaozhou embroidery, along with Guangzhou embroidery (广绣), is known as Yue embroidery (粤绣), which is one of the four famous embroideries in China. It stands out for its padding embroidery (垫高绣), giving the patterns a three-dimensional effect and a sense of depth. Ornament for the First Day of the Chinese Calendar is a prime example of Chaozhou embroidery, showcasing the craftsmanship and artistic vision of the Chaoshan region. It captures the tradition of ancient Chinese people placing seasonal flowers, fruits, and items with auspicious meanings at home to enjoy and wish for good luck at the beginning of the year. This tradition has lasted until now and can be tangibly felt in Guangzhou City.
During the Spring Festival, visiting the flower market is a common tradition among Guangzhou residents. Vendors set up stalls featuring a variety of flowers, each carrying its own symbolic meaning, such as tangerine trees representing good fortune and peach blossoms representing romance. People buy flowers, tangerine trees, and ornaments in the market to bring good luck to their homes. The whole market is filled with laughter at that time.
Author | Li Muzi
Videographer | Pan Jiajun
Video Editor | Ou Nanying
Editor | Hu Nan, James, Shen He
