CHONGQING (CQNEWS) -- Recently, internet influencer Li Ziqi made her return by releasing several videos related to intangible cultural heritage, including one on the traditional art of creating velvet flowers, which garnered widespread praise from netizens. In Dianjiang, Chongqing, a girl leads a group of young artisans, showcasing the timeless beauty of velvet flowers to a broader audience through their craftsmanship.

Velvet flowers are symbols of auspiciousness and well-wishing. They are gorgeous and often used in folk celebrations and ceremonial decorations. It is common to see velvet flowers used to embellish weddings, the Spring Festival, the Dragon Boat Festival, and the Mid-Autumn Festival, among other traditional occasions.

"Before the window, I arrange my hair and apply floral makeup in the mirror." Velvet flower-making is an ancient craft dating back to the Tang Dynasty when it was already recognized as a tribute to the royal family. During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, it reached new heights, with the peak of its production occurring during the Kangxi and Qianlong periods. The range of traditional velvet flower varieties is vast, including head flowers, hat flowers, and theatrical flowers, among which head flowers are the most beloved.

The velvet flower-making technique from Dianjiang was officially recognized as part of the sixth batch of intangible cultural heritage at the county level in 2023. Liu Xiaoli, the representative inheritor of this craft, is also a vocational education teacher. She often says that her mission is not just to impart knowledge; more importantly, it is to ensure the transmission of these culturally rich, traditional techniques across generations.