Danning River Embroidery

Danning River Embroidery

　　Danning River Embroidery, abbreviated as "Ning Embroidery," is mainly distributed in areas within Wuxi County, Chongqing, such as Zhonggang Township, Jianshan Town, Wenfeng Town, Gulu Town, and Shanghuang Town. Known for its delicate realism, reversible uniformity, aesthetic appeal, and durability, Ning Embroidery has a wide market among the local populace. Everyday items such as children’s clothing and hats, women’s dresses, as well as decorative items like wall hangings, cushions, covers, and window trims, are all embroidered by local girls and women on handwoven plain fabrics. They stitch a variety of patterns onto these items. In Wuxi, it has long been a tradition for girls to start learning embroidery at the age of 12, and their creations are used as part of their dowry. As a result, Ning Embroidery is also commonly known as "wedding flowers."

　　Ning Embroidery is divided into two types based on use: practical and decorative. Practical Ning Embroidery is also commonly called "wedding round flower," while decorative Ning Embroidery is known as "wedding panel flower." The designs of Ning Embroidery are ingenious and the techniques unique. It requires starting and ending stitches at the same point, ensuring complete patterns and clear composition. The stitch technique showcases perfect texture and is distinctive in craftsmanship. During the embroidery process, ten key principles must be followed. The techniques of Ning Embroidery also reflect people's moral standards and philosophies. For example, "one stitch through to the end" symbolizes a woman's faithfulness; the movement of the needle reminds one to be honest, humble, and upright; connecting threads and counting yarns require respect for objectivity; the tightness and direction of stitches express the pursuit of harmony; and the overall technique encourages community harmony, diligence, and ambition. These elements reflect the values and ethical standards of the folk culture, embodying a manifestation of ideological culture.

　　The content expressed through Ning Embroidery is extremely rich, with profound cultural meaning. Mountain cottages and pastoral scenes, forests, flowers, and fruits reflect people’s social life and aspirations. Immortal mountains and celestial palaces, as well as zither platforms and heavenly pools, represent the worship and longing in people’s lives. Tigers, mythical beasts, qilins, and dragons and phoenixes symbolize religious beliefs and spiritual support. Flags, gongs, sedan chairs, umbrellas, and legendary tales showcase the folk customs of the Danning River region, representing the most treasured intangible cultural heritage of the area. Mr. Yang Fan, editor-in-chief of Chinese Art and vice president of Beijing Trian Art Academy, spoke highly of it: “Ning Embroidery has strong regional characteristics with beautiful patterns. It combines the vernacular with elegance and possesses a uniquely dynamic and auspicious charm.”

　　However, traditional hand-embroidered Ning Embroidery is now facing endangerment. Factors such as rural young women migrating to cities for work, the overwhelming presence of modern clothing, insufficient promotion, inadequate protection, and a lack of successors make it imperative and urgent to rescue, protect, research, and develop Danning River Embroidery as a remarkable piece of folk culture.

　　Information source: Wuxi Tourism Website