Using needle and thread as its brush, Bian embroidery weaves a millennium of splendor into the tapestry of time. As a national intangible cultural heritage originating from the Northern Song Dynasty, it has distinguished itself as a radiant gem among Chinese cultural traditions, celebrated for its "exquisite craftsmanship, meticulous stitching, and delicately elegant coloration."

A representative masterpiece of Bian embroidery is its rendition of "Along the River During the Qingming Festival." This 5.28-meter-long embroidered scroll employs 18 distinct stitching techniques to recreate over 800 figures, boats, and structures. Flat stitches bring the characters to life, mist stitches evoke the hazy surface of the water, rolling stitches capture the fluidity of waves, and seed stitches emphasize the fullness of grains, vividly resurrecting the bustling urban life of the Song Dynasty on fabric.

In the hands of Cheng Manping, a representative inheritor of Bian embroidery, the scattered set stitch has come to symbolize the "most challenging technique." Using a sparse base of foundational colors and blending threads in shades of blue, yellow, and bronze, the colors of mountains and rivers merge naturally, recreating the majestic grandeur of intertwined waterways, reminiscent of the masterpiece "A Thousand Li of Rivers and Mountains."

The allure of Bian embroidery lies not only in its replication of famous historical paintings but also in its innovative evolution. From an initial repertoire of over 20 stitching techniques expanding to more than 40, and from traditional bases like silk satin and silk gauze to young creators exploring the fusion of Bian embroidery with contemporary art, this ancient craft is now thriving in diverse forms.

During the Qixi Festival, Bian embroidery takes on a romantic significance. "The Meeting of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl on the Magpie Bridge" uses delicate stitches to convey the beautiful wish of harmonious union. These handcrafted pieces, imbued with the warmth of the artisan's touch, possess an artistic quality that machines cannot replicate, reflecting the Chinese people's dedication to cultural heritage and their passion for life.

Stitch by stitch, Bian embroidery pays homage to Chinese cultural traditions, allowing this millennia-old craft to blossom gracefully in the new era.

 Web editors: Shen Jianqi, Li Siyao