Cantonese embroidery

Yue embroidery(Chinese:Việt thêu;Jyutping:Jyut6 sau3), orGuangdong embroidery,is a style ofembroideryfolk art of theChaoshanandPearl River Deltaregion. It encompassesGuangzhouembroidery ( hàng thêu Quảng Đông ) andChaozhouembroidery ( triều thêu ). It is one of the well-known "four greatembroideries of China",the other three beingSichuan embroidery,Suzhou embroideryandXiang embroidery.

Yue embroidery is highly regarded for its full composition, vivid images, bright colors, multiple embroidery techniques, smoothness, and evenness.This style usually use nature or auspicious symbols as the subject matters. Located in asubtropicalregion with plenty of sunshine and rainfall,CantoneseandTeochewhave had access to a diverse set offloraandfauna,resulting in nature being an important source of inspiration for Yue embroidery'saesthetics.Yue embroidery can be further divided into four styles: woolen needlepoint tapestry, bead embroidery, machine embroidery and "Ding Gum Sau" (the use of silver and gold threads). Yue embroidery can be founded on various objects: hanging screen, clothes, shoes, etc.

Among the motifs commonly used in Cantonese embroidery (especially Guang embroidery), the “Hundred Birds” is a favorite, along with flowers, fruits, dragons and phoenixes, fish, landscapes, scenery, and figures. Notably, lychees, red kapok, and the “Three Birds” (chicken, goose, and duck) are prominent examples.

See also

• Cantonese culture
• Teochew culture