Chapter 19 Chinese Folk Art and Handicraft中国民间工艺
1.Paper-cutting
Paper-cutting is one of the most popular forms of Chinese traditional folk art．Its materials are easy to get and low in cost．Paper-cuttings not only reflect the aesthetic interest of the folk artists，but also represent the national mentality of Chinese people．
1)History of Paper-cutting
Paper-cuts are patterns cut on paper by scissors or engraving knife．Among the many traditional handicrafts，the history of paper-cutting is very long and can be dated back to Han Dynasty．It became quite popular in Northern and Southern Dynasties and prospered during the Qing Dynasty．Traditional paper-cuts mostly come form rural areas and are made by women in small hamlets of the countryside．Paper-cutting is an art form that is very suitable for country women who can do the cutting whenever they are free from farm work and use it for both practical and decorative purposes．
2)The Use of Paper-cuts
Paper-cuts were used as the ornament of the offerings to sacrifice ancestors and supernatural beings．Nowadays，paper-cuts are mainly used for interior decoration．People paste paper-cuts on walls，doors，windows，poles，mirrors，lamps and lanterns at wedding ceremonies or festivals to beautify the surroundings and enhance the festive atmosphere．
Gift paper-cuts are often seen as decorations on cakes，birthday noodles，eggs and other gifts．In Shandong Province，people attach gift paper-cuts to the symbolic“happy egg”to celebrate a baby's birth．Paper-cuts themselves are popular presents for friends and family．There are some special paper-cuts of traditional design used as patterns for embroidering clothes，shoes，hats，pillowcases，curtains and door curtains．
Chinese paper-cutting is rich in content and usually has symbolic meanings．The auspicious designs symbolize good luck and the avoidance of evil．For example，papercut based on Chinene character“福”(see picture 19-1)means happiness and luck．The designs of child，lotus and bottle gourd suggest a happy family with a large number of children and grandchildren．Tortoise-patterned paper-cuts symbolize longevity，which are commonly seen in the countryside of Fujian Province．Domestic birds， livestock，fruit，fish and worms are also familiar objects depicted by Chinese folk paper-cutting artists．
3)Regional Features of Paper-cutting
Paper-cutting can be seen all over the country．Different places feature their very unique style，though．Shaanxi window paper-cuts are simple and bold;Hebei and Shanxi paper-cuts are bright in color;Shandong paper-cuts are exquisite and great care is paid to details．Paper-cuts from Jiangsu are delicate and fine;paper-cuts from Guangdong are rich in color and various in cutting techniques．Generally speaking，the paper-cuts of the south are delicate and beautiful and those of the north are bold and straightforward．
2.Chinese Knot
1)Development of Chinese Knot
Chinese people have known how to tie knots with cords ever since they began to learn how to use animal pelts to cover their bodies to keep warm at the end of the Palae Age 70，000 years ago．All sorts of knots have been developed since．As civilization advanced，Chinese people used knots for more than just fastening and wrapping．Some knots were also used to record events，while others had a purely ornamental function．
Traditional Chinese decorative knots，also known as Chinese knots(see picture 19-2)，are typical local arts of China with a very long history．Appeared in ancient time，developed in Tang and Song Dynasties and popularized in Ming and Qing Dynasties，Chinese knot has now become a kind of elegant and colorful arts and crafts from its original practical use．
2)Significance of Chinese Knot
In Chinese，“knot”means reunion，friendliness，warmth，marriage，love，etc．Beside，the Chinese character“结”(knot)is close in pronunciation to“吉”which means anything auspicious including happiness，wealth，longevity，peace and health．Therefore，Chinese knots are often used to express good wishes，including happiness，prosperity，love and the absence of evil．With the pursuit for auspicious things，Chinese knot has been passed down from generation to generation as a folk handicraft with a long history and profound cultural connotations．
The characteristic of Chinese knot is that every knot is made of a single rope and named according to its specific form and meaning．By combining different knots or other auspicious adornments skillfully，a unique auspicious ornament which represents beauty，idea and wishes is formed．For example，“Full of Joy”，“Happiness＆ Longevity”，“Double Happiness”，“Luck and Auspiciousness as One Wishes”and“Wish You a Fair Wind”are Chinese traditional pleasant phrases expressing warmest regards，best wishes and finest ideal．
The Chinese knot，with its classic elegance in design and ever-changing variations，is both practical and ornamental，fully reflecting the grace and depth of Chinese culture．It is of great significance to inherit this traditional cultural asset．
3)Features of Chinese Knot
The Chinese knot is based on over a dozen basic knots named according to their distinctive shapes，usages，or origins．The Two Coins Knot，for example，is shaped like two overlapping coins once used in ancient China representing double happiness．The Button Knot functions as a button，and the Swastika Knot was derived from the Buddhist symbol．
Almost all basic Chinese knots are symmetrical，which has set certain technical limitations on the design and creation of new patterns and themes．Symmetry is consistent with time-honored ornamental and aesthetic standards in China．Visually，the symmetrical designs are more easily accepted and appreciated by Chinese people．
The knots are pulled tightly together and are sturdy enough to be used for binding or wrapping，making them very practical．Furthermore，the complicated structure of the Chinese knot allows all kinds of variations and enhances its decorative value．Crafting the Chinese knot is a three-step process which involves tying knots，tightening them and adding the finishing touches．Knot-tying methods are fixed，but the tightening can determine the degree of tension in a knot，the length of loops (ears)and the smoothness and orderliness of the lines．Thus，how well a Chinese knot has been tightened can demonstrate the skill and artistic merit of a knot artist．Finishing a knot means inlaying pearls or precious stones，starching the knot into certain patterns，or adding any other final touches．
4)Candidature Logo for Olympic Games
The candidature logo for the 2008 Olympic Games features a stylized traditional Chinese handicraft pattern—“Chinese folk knot”．It is known as the“knot of one heart”or，using the typical colors of the five Olympic rings．The design depicts a dynamic human figure in a stance that portrays someone doing“taiji”or shadow boxing．The simple gesture lines symbolize the graceful，harmonious and dynamic movements that connote the unity of，cooperation among，exchange between and development for the peoples all over the world．
3.Kite
Kites were invented by the Chinese people over 2，000 years ago．In the 12th century，Chinese kite spread to the West．Oriental and western kite cultures were formed after years of development．The traditional Chinese culture integrated legends and auspiciousness with the kite craft and finally formed Chinese kite culture with unique characteristics．
1)Development of Kite
Uses of kite have been changed several times in history．According to historical record，kite was first used in military．In the mid Tang Dynasty，the society was stable and peaceful so the use of kites was gradually changed from military to entertainment．With the innovation of papermaking，the raw material of kite changed from silk to paper．Kite became popular among civilians with a richer variety of forms in the Song Dynasty．Participated by the literary，the making and the decoration of kites underwent great development．Due to the great demand，kite making became a profession during that period．
The Ming and Qing Dynasties saw the peak of the development of Chinese kite．The kites underwent great development in size，design，decoration and flying skills．In recent years，kite flying has publicized as a sports activity as well as entertainment．
2)Crafting and Categories of Kites
To make a kite，the right kind of bamboo strips must be selected for the frame first．The regular paper or silk is used to cover the frame．Silk kites，especially，are more durable and generally of higher artistic value．
China has a large area of territory．As a traditional culture and folk art，kite has formed unique style of different regions during its development，among which the most famous ones are the styles of Beijing，Tianjin，Weifang in Shandong Province，Sichuan and Guangdong Province．
Kites could be generally divided into two categories:the Hard Wing and the Soft Wing．The Hard Wing can endure more air pressure and competitively fly higher，whilst the soft wing can fly farther，although it can not fly as high．In patterns，besides the traditional ones of animals，birds，worms，fishes，new patterns of human images emerged in modern times．
3)Poets and Kites
Quite a few men of letters in different dynasties made kites by themselves and sent them to relatives and friends as gifts，regarding it a literary pursuit．There are many classic poems written about kite flying from Tang Dynasty to Qing Dynasty．“Kite”by the Tang poet Gao Pian，“Flying kites”by Li Shizhen，a famous doctor of Chinese traditional medicine of the Ming Dynasty，“Spring”by Guo Lin，a wellknown poet of Qing Dynasty，“Song of Jin City”by Yang Xie，the well-known poet of Qing Dynasty，“Country Life”by poet Gao Ding of Qing Dynasty and“Silly Slang”by Wu Haoshan of Qing Dynasty—all vividly and poetically depict the mood，the joyous kids，the delightful scenes of kite-flying．
4.Embroidery Art
The Four Famous Embroideries of China refer to the Su embroidery in eastern China's Jiangsu Province，Xiang embroidery in central China's Hunan Province，Shu embroidery in western China's Sichuan Province and Yue embroidery in southern China's Guangdong Province．
1)Su Embroidery
With a history of more than 2，000 years，Su embroidery(see picture 19-3)is the general name for embroidery products in areas around Suzhou，Jiangsu Province．The craft，which dates back to the Three Kingdoms Period，became a sideline of people in the Suzhou area during the Ming Dynasty when almost every family kept silkworms and did silk embroidery．
Well known for its smoothness and delicateness，Su embroidery won Suzhou the title City of Embroidery in the Qing Dynasty．In the mid and late Qing，Su embroidery experienced further developments with the invention of double-sided embroidering．There were as many as 65 embroidery stores in Suzhou City at that time．During the Republic of China period，the Su embroidery industry was in decline due to frequent wars and it was restored and regenerated after the founding of new China．In 1950，the central government set up research centers for Su embroidery and launched training courses for the study of embroidery．Stitching methods have developed from 18 to the present 40 kinds．
Su embroidery features a strong folk flavor and its needling techniques are characterized by the following:the product surface must be flat，the rim must be neat，the needle must be thin，the lines must be dense，the color must be harmonious and bright and the picture must be even．Su embroidery products fall into three major categories:costumes，decorations for halls and crafts for daily use，which integrate both decorative and practical values．Double-sided embroidery is an excellent representative of Su embroidery．
2)Xiang Embroidery
Xiang embroidery(see picture 19-4)is well known for its time-honored history，excellent craftsmanship and unique style．The earliest piece of Xiang embroidery was unearthed at the No．1 Tomb of Mawangdui，Changsha City of the Han Dynasty．The stitching technique was almost the same as the one used in modern times，which demonstrated that embroidery had already existed in the Han Dynasty．
In its later development，Xiang Embroidery absorbed the characteristics of traditional Chinese paintings and formed its own unique characteristics．Xiang embroidery experienced its heyday at the end of the Qing Dynasty and in the early Republic of China(early 20th century)，even surpassing Su embroidery．After the founding of the People's Republic of China，Xiang embroidery was further improved and developed to a new level．
Xiang embroidery uses pure silk，hard satin，soft satin and nylon as its material， combined with colorful silk and wool threads．Absorbing the spirit of Chinese paintings，the embroidery reaches a high artistic level．Xiang embroidery crafts include valuable works of art，as well as articles for daily use．
3)Shu Embroidery
Shu embroidery(see picture 19-5)，also called Chuan embroidery，is the general name for embroidery products in areas around Chengdu，Sichuan Province．Shu embroidery enjoys a long history，too．As early as the Han Dynasty，Shu embroidery was already famous．The central government even designated an office in this area for its administration．During the Five Dynasties and Ten States periods，a peaceful society and large demand helped the rapid development of the Shu embroidery industry．
Shu embroidery experienced its peak development in the Song Dynasty，ranking first in both production and excellence．In the mid-Qing Dynasty，the Shu embroidery industry was formed．After the founding of the People's Republic of China，Shu embroidery factories were set up and the craft entered a new phase of development，using innovative techniques and a larger variety of forms．
Originated among the folk people in the west of Sichuan Province，Shu embroidery has been influenced by the geographical environment，customs and cultures and has formed its own unique characteristics of being smooth，bright and neat．Altogether，there are 122 approaches in 12 categories for stitching．The needling characteristics lie in the even stitches，bright threads，closeness and softness in texture．
The works incorporated flowers，birds，fish，worms and human figures and landscapes，as their themes．Its craftsmanship is a combination of fine arts and practical uses．Its products include quilt facing，pillowcases，clothes，slippers，scrolls，etc．
4)Yue Embroidery
Also called Guang embroidery，Yue embroidery(see picture 19-6)is a general name for embroidery products of the regions of Guangzhou，Chaozhou and Shantou，Zhongshan，Fanyu and Shunde in Guangdong Province．According to historical records，in the first year of Yongzhen's reign(805)during the Tang Dynasty，a girl named Lu Meiniang in Nanhai County，Guangdong Province embroidered the seven volumes of the Fahua Buddhist Scripture on a piece of thin silk about 30 centimeters long，making Yue embroidery famous all over the country．The prosperous Guangzhou Port of the Song Dynasty promoted the development of Yue embroidery and its products began to be exported．During the Ming Dynasty，folk embroidery artists employed animal hair as the raw material for Yue embroidery，which made the works more vivid．During Qianlong's reign of the Qing Dynasty，the first Yue embroidery industrial organization was established in Guangzhou．At that time，a large number of craftsmen devoted themselves to the craft，inciting further improvements to the stitching technique．Since 1915，the work of Yue embroidery garnered several awards at the Panama Expo．
Influenced by national folk art，Yue embroidery formed its own unique characteristics．The embroidered pictures are mainly of dragons and phoenixes and flowers and birds with neat designs and strong，contrasting colors．Floss，thread and gold-and-silk thread embroidery are used to produce costumes，decorations for halls，hanging screens and works for daily use．
Word Bank
hamlet小村庄
pelt兽皮
swastika卍字饰，万字饰(相传为象征太阳、吉祥等的标志)
candidature候选者的身份(或资格)
sideline兼职，副业
heyday全盛期
satin缎子
incite激励，促使
garner收集，积蓄，得到
参考译文
1.剪纸
剪纸是中国最普及的民间传统艺术形式之一。剪纸材料易得、成本低廉。剪纸不仅表现了民间艺术家的审美爱好，而且蕴含着民族的社会深层心理。
1)剪纸的历史
剪纸，就是用剪刀或刻刀把纸剪刻成图形。在众多的传统工艺中，剪纸艺术历史十分悠久，最早可追溯到汉朝，至南北朝时期剪纸技术已发展得相当精熟，然而真正繁盛却是在清朝中期以后。古老的剪纸多在乡间，出自农家妇女之手，趣味纯朴天然。它最适合农村妇女闲暇制作，既可作实用物，又可美化生活。
2)剪纸的用途
剪纸过去曾被用作祭祀祖先和神仙所用供品的装饰物。现在，剪纸大多用于室内装饰，在婚庆时或节日里贴在墙面、门窗、柱子、镜子以及灯笼上，美化环境，增添节日气氛。
剪纸可为礼品作点缀之用，装饰在蛋糕、生日面、鸡蛋以及其他礼物上。山东人有把剪纸放在庆祝婴儿出生的喜蛋上的风俗。剪纸本身也可作为礼物赠送朋友。剪纸还常作为绣花的纸样，用于服装、鞋帽、枕套、窗帘和门帘上的刺绣花样。
剪纸艺术一般都富有象征意义。吉祥图案寓意吉祥避邪。例如，“福”字(见图19-1)剪纸意味着幸福和好运，娃娃、莲花、葫芦等象征多子多福。福建农村常以乌龟形象的剪纸象征长寿。家禽家畜、瓜果鱼虫是农民熟悉的对象，也是农民剪纸艺术家在他们的作品里表现的主要内容。
3)剪纸的地域特色
全国各地都能见到剪纸，而且形成了不同地方的风格流派。陕西窗花风格粗朴豪放;河北和山西剪纸色彩亮丽;山东剪纸细腻精巧;江苏剪纸华丽工整;广东剪纸色彩富丽、手法多变。总的说来，南方剪纸纤巧秀逸，北方剪纸浑厚苍劲。
2.中国结
1)“中国结”的发展
距今七万年前，旧石器时代的末期，当时的山顶洞人就已经知道使用骨针和线的缝补技巧，将兽皮缝合起来穿在身上蔽体御寒。从此，各式各样的绳结就逐渐发展出来了。随着文明程度的提高，绳结不仅是人们日常生活中的必备用具，同时还具有记载历史的重要功用，有的还用于装饰作用。
“中国结”(见图19-2)是一种中华民族特有的手工编织工艺品，具有悠久的历史。它起始于远古，发展于唐宋，流行于明清。“中国结”已经由原先的生活实用品发展为制作精巧、配色考究的工艺品。
2)“中国结”的意义
在汉语中，“结”字有团聚、友谊、温暖、婚姻和爱情等意味。“结”又与“吉”谐音，“吉”有着丰富多彩的内容，福、禄、寿、安、康无一不属于吉的范畴。中国结经常被用来表示良好的祝愿，包括幸福、繁荣、爱情和避邪。“绳结”这种具有生命力的民间技艺也就自然作为中国传统文化的精髓，兴盛长远，流传至今。
“中国结”每一个结从头到尾都是用一根丝线编结而成，并根据其形和意来命名。把不同的结饰互相结合在一起，或与其他具有吉祥图案的饰物搭配组合，就形成了造型独特的中国传统吉祥装饰物品，用来代表美丽、理想和心愿。如“吉庆有余”“福寿双全”“双喜临门”“吉祥如意”“一帆风顺”等组配，都表示热烈浓郁的美好祝福，赞颂以及传达衷心至诚的祈求和心愿。
中国结造型典雅，富于变化，既实用又美观，展示了中国文化的雅致与精深。因此，对“中国结”这个传统文化财富的继承和发展是极有意义的。
3)“中国结”的特点
中国结的基本结法有十多种，其名称是根据绳结的状、用途或者原始的出处来命名的。例如，双钱结的形状像两个古铜钱半叠的式样，象征“好事成双”;纽扣结常用以扣紧衣服，因其功能而命名;万字结的结体线条走向如同佛门的标志(卍)。
几乎所有的中国结都是对称形的，符合中国传统的装饰和审美标准。也因为中国结具有紧密对称的特性，所以在感观上容易被人所喜爱。
“中国结”紧实牢固，作为绳结非常实用，而且结构复杂，变化无穷，装饰性强。“中国结”的制作包括三个步骤:打结、抽紧、点缀。打结的方法是固定的，但结的松紧程度决定结的长度和平整程度，也可显示结绳者的技巧和艺术水平。最后完成一件“中国结”艺术品需要添加珍珠或宝石，然后上浆定型。
4)申奥标志
北京申奥标志是一幅中国传统手工艺品图案，即“同心结”或“中国结”，它采用的是奥林匹克五环标志的典型颜色。图案表现了一个人打太极拳的动感姿态，其简洁的动作线条蕴涵着优美、和谐及力量，寓意世界各国人民之间的团结、合作、交流和发展。
3.风筝
风筝是中国人发明的，距今已有2 000余年的历史。大约在公元12世纪，中国风筝传到了西方，此后经过不断发展，逐渐形成各具特色的东西方风筝文化。在风筝的发展过程中，具有悠久历史的中国传统文化开始与风筝工艺相融合，将神话故事和吉祥寓意等表现在风筝上，从而形成了独具地方特色的风筝文化。
1)风筝的发展
在历史上，风筝的用途曾有过多次转换。根据史书记载，风筝最初用于军事。到了唐代中期，社会进入了繁荣稳定的发展阶段，风筝的功用开始从军用转向娱乐。同时由于纸业的发展，风筝的制作材料也由丝绢转向纸张。风筝逐渐走向民间，类型也丰富起来。宋代风筝的流传更为广泛。当时由于文人的参加，风筝在扎制和装饰上都有了很大的发展。同时由于社会上对风筝的需求，制作风筝发展为一种专门的职业。
明清时代是中国风筝发展的鼎盛时期，明清风筝在大小、设计、装饰和放飞技艺上都有了巨大进步。近年来，放风筝开始作为体育运动项目和健身娱乐活动普及开来。
2)风筝的制作
制作风筝要选择合适的细竹扎成骨架，再糊以纸或绢。绢制风筝更为结实，艺术价值也更高。
中国地域辽阔，风筝作为中国的传统文化和民间艺术，在长期发展过程中，产生了许多具有不同地域特色的种类、样式和流派。其中以北京、天津、山东潍坊、四川、广东所制的风筝最为著名。
风筝的种类主要分硬翅和软翅两类。硬翅风筝翅膀坚硬，吃风大，飞得高。软翅风筝柔软，飞不高，但飞得远。在样式上，除传统的禽、兽、虫、鱼外，近代还发展出了人物风筝等新样式。
3)风筝诗话
古代文人对风筝也是情有独钟，他们亲手扎绘风筝，除自己放飞外，还赠送亲友，并认为这是一种极为风雅的活动。从唐朝到清朝都留下了不少关于风筝的脍炙人口的精美诗篇。唐诗人高骈的《风筝》，明医学家、药学家李时珍的《放风筝》，清著名诗人郭鳞的《潍县竹枝词》，清著名诗人杨燮的《锦城竹枝词》，清朝诗人高鼎的《村居》以及清朝诗人吴好山的《笨拙俚语》等无不把风筝和放风筝描绘得形神兼备，绘声绘色，寓意颇深。
4.刺绣艺术
在中国的传统刺绣工艺中，常常将产于中国东部江苏省的苏绣、中部湖南省的湘绣、西部四川省的蜀绣和南部广东省的粤绣合称为中国四大名绣。
1)苏绣
苏绣(见图19-3)是以江苏苏州为中心的刺绣产品的总称。苏州刺绣至今已有2 000余年的历史，早在三国时期就有了关于苏绣制作的记载。到明代时，苏绣已成为苏州地区一项普遍的群众性副业产品，形成了家家养蚕，户户刺绣的局面。
清代的苏绣以精细雅洁而闻名，当时的苏州更有了“绣市”的誉称。清代中后期，苏绣在绣制技术上有了进一步发展，新出现了精美的双面绣，仅苏州一地专门经营刺绣的商家就有65家之多。民国时期由于常年战乱，苏绣业曾一度衰落。新中国成立后，苏绣得到进一步的恢复和发展。1950年后，国家专门设立了苏绣研究所，并开办刺绣训练班。苏绣的针法由18种发展到40余种。
苏绣地方特色浓郁，绣技具有平、齐、细、密、和、光、顺、匀等特点。平，指绣面平展;齐，指图案边缘齐整;细，指用针细巧，绣线精细;密，指线条排列紧凑，不露针迹;和，指设色适宜;光，指光彩夺目，色泽鲜明;顺，指丝理圆转自如;匀，指线条精细均匀，疏密一致。苏绣作品的种类主要可分为戏衣、挂屏和零剪三大类，装饰性与实用性兼备，其中以双面绣作品最为精美。
2)湘绣
作为中国四大名绣之一的湘绣(见图19-4)，向来以历史悠久、工艺精湛、风格独特而闻名海内外。迄今为止发现最早的湘绣制品，是长沙马王堆一号汉代墓葬出土的一件丝织品，它所使用的针法与现代湘绣相差无几，说明早在汉代，湘绣工艺就已经产生了。
此后，经过漫长的发展，湘绣逐渐将国画传统特点引入其中，从而形成了自身的独特风格。至清末民初(20世纪初期)，湘绣的发展达到鼎盛时期，甚至超越了苏绣，在中国刺绣业中独占鳌头。新中国成立后，湘绣工作者在继承传统的基础上致力创新，使湘绣工艺提高到一个崭新的水平。
湘绣主要以纯丝、硬缎、软缎、尼龙等为原料，配以各色的丝线、绒线绣制而成。它以中国画为神，达到了很高的艺术境界。绣品中既有名贵的欣赏艺术品，也有美观适用的日用品。
3)蜀绣
蜀绣(见图19-5)也称川绣，它是以四川成都为中心的刺绣产品的总称。蜀绣也具有悠久的历史。早在汉代，蜀绣之名就已誉满天下，汉朝政府还在成都专门设置了“锦官”进行管理。汉代以后至五代十国时期，四川相对安定的局面为蜀绣的发展创造了有利的条件，社会需求的不断增大，刺激了蜀绣业的飞速发展。
到了宋代，蜀绣的发展达到鼎盛时期，绣品在工艺、产销量和精美程度上都独步天下。清朝中叶以后，蜀绣逐渐形成行业。新中国成立后，四川设立了成都蜀绣厂，使蜀绣工艺的发展进入了一个新阶段，技术上不断创新，品种日益增多。
蜀绣起源于川西民间，在长期的发展过程中，由于受地理环境、风俗习惯、文化艺术等方面的影响，逐渐形成了严谨细腻、光亮平整的独特风格。针法包括12大类共122种，针脚整齐，线片光亮，紧密柔和。
蜀绣作品选材丰富，有花鸟鱼虫和人物山水等。绣品的种类繁多，包括被面、枕套、衣、鞋和画屏等，是观赏性与实用性兼备的精美艺术品。
4)粤绣
粤绣(见图19-6)也称广绣。它是出产于广东省广州、潮州、汕头、中山、番禺、顺德一带的刺绣品的总称。据史料记载，唐代的永贞元年(公元805年)，广东省南海县一位名叫卢媚娘的少女曾在一块一尺左右的绢面上绣出七卷《法华经》，粤绣从此名扬天下。宋元时期，广州港的繁荣促进了粤绣工艺的飞速发展，粤绣品开始输出国外。明代，广州的刺绣艺人已经能够娴熟地运用各色丝绒线刺绣，并创造性地使用动物的尾羽缠绒作线，使绣品更加自然生动。到清代的乾隆年间，第一个粤绣行业组织“粤绣行”在广州成立，当时从事刺绣的艺人众多，粤绣在工艺和针法上都得以不断发展完善。1915年后，粤绣作品在巴拿马国际博览会等国际赛会上多次获得大奖。
粤绣受到各民族民间艺术的影响，在兼收并蓄、融会贯通的基础上，逐渐形成了自身独特的艺术风格。绣品主要取材于龙凤、花鸟等，图案构图饱满、均齐对称，色彩对比强烈、富丽堂皇。在种类上粤绣可分为绒绣、线绣、金银线绣三类，品种包括戏服、厅堂装饰、挂屏和各种日用绣品。
Exercises
Section A Thought-provoking questions
1．What are paper-cuttings？
2．What are the main characteristics of Chinese knot？
3．What have you learned about Chinese folk art？
4．What other Chinese handicrafts do you know？
Section B Decide whether the following statements are true or false
(1)Purely hand-made，each knot is woven out of one entire silk thread，and bestowed a name in tune with its shape and implied meaning．
(2)In Chinese characters，“knot”and“luck，felicity”have exactly the same pronunciation．
(3)Today，people are fond of Chinese Knot for its characteristic form，colorfulness and profound meaning．
(4)The Ming and Qing dynasties witnessed the heyday of the development of the Chinese kite．
(5)Su embroidery，Xiang embroidery，Shu embroidery and Yue embroidery are the only 4 types of embroidery in China．
(6)Machine-embroidered products are more precious and expensive than hand-embroidered products．
(7)Weifang has earned itself a proud name of the International Capital of Kites．
(8)The Weifang Kite Festival has become an annual feature of the city，drawing thousands of participants each May from home and many foreign countries．
※A gentleman is contented but not conceited;a lesser man is conceited but not contented.
From Analects of Confucius
(君子泰而不骄，小人骄而不泰。)
——《论语》
※A gentleman gets along well with others but does not agree to unprincipled act ions;a lesser man agrees to unprincipled actions but does not get along with others.
From Analects of Confucius
(君子和而不同，小人同而不和。)
——《论语》