Embroidery of the Miao ethnic group

Embroidery of the Miao ethnic group is characterized by extraordinary skills, ingenious designs, rich imagination, strong color contrasts and rustic styles. Featuring a variety of pattern designs, the Miao people living in the Songtao region of Guizhou province love embroidering flowers, birds, insects and fish with pink, blue or velvet threads; those in the Qiandongnan area prefer dragons, fish, butterflies and pomegranates; while those in the central areas of the province excel in geometric patterns in red, green and laundry blue.

Besides bright colors, symmetrical structures and full compositions are also widely employed in Miao embroidery works, adorning their clothes and accessories. The techniques include flat, knotted, braid and cross stitches as well as appliques and barbola. Patterns are usually printed or cut out before embroidering; thus paper-cutting has become another special skill of Miao women.