Chinese Art and Culture

For centuries, despite the many changes and periods in the country’s history, China has managed to preserve much of its cultural history. This, perhaps, stems from the deep-rooted values that the Chinese people hold dear.

Chinese culture is full of symbols and signs of good luck, and objects that stand to prove that culture and art play a very important role in the country’s future. Traditional handicrafts often represent a nation’s beauty, and the Chinese are set in this belief.

Here are a few things that represent Chinese art and culture:

Calligraphy

Chinese history is known for its highly stylised form of writing, developed and shaped by calligraphers throughout the country. Even today, the four treasures of study – ink stick, ink slab, writing brush and paper – are tools that calligraphers are seldom found without.

Embroidery

Originating as far back as the 16th century, embroidery has played a very important role in shaping China’s culture. Silk, sequins, soft threads, beads, and various other sewing material made their way into the house of various artisans, who made themselves very popular with the nobility. Since then, embroidery has remained an important craft in China. Today, cushion covers, handicrafts, home decor, and souvenirs all bear small patches of embroidery.

Cloisonné

Bright, vivid, and absolutely gorgeous, this enamel artform from Chinese culture has survived the ages. Intricate designs cover every inch of these vases, saucers, pottery, and other decor items. Images of the traditional Chinese dragon is often seen adoring these beautiful vases and saucers.

Porcelain

Fine textures and bright colours highlight Chinese porcelain. The artwork began with the Shang Dynasty in the 16th century, and its popularity has not faded since. Distinctive shapes and patterns have ensured that Chinese porcelain ever remains a favourite of artisans across Asia.

Bronze Vessels

Bronze vessels like pots and vases were invented over 5,000 years ago. It is a mark of how valuable the Chinese deem these to be, that several thousand bronze vessels have survived the test of time in China, and are proudly displayed in households and museums today.