Dousu

Beans art, also known as seeds painting, is to use seeds’ original shape, color and other qualities to make a landscape, figures, flowers, birds etc.. It is a unique form of folk arts, which is vivid and humorous with interesting images exhibiting folk stories and traditions, especially of new and old Beijing life.

Rabbit God

Rabbit God is a traditional toy of old Beijing. It was first appearing in the late years of the Ming dynasty, carved out of loess to produce rabbit face with human figure. Originally it was made as a shrine for the moon, later it was worshipped in the Chinese New Year, but had now evolved to a toy for kids.

Paper-cut

Paper-cut, also known as “chuanghua”, is the most popular traditional decorative folk art. Some hollow patterns are cut into paper, gold or silver foil, leaves and cloth with a knife or scissors. Chinese use paper-cut to express their love for life and a better future.

Chinese knotting

Chinese knotting is gradually evolved from knots tying which was used to keep records in history. The "knot" had a variety of emotions and aspirations in a long process of evolution. Chinese knotting is made from a color string, which is consistent from top to bottom, the same on both sides. At present, there are more than 10 basic knotting methods, such as the double-coin knot, buttons knot, cross knot, auspicious knot etc.. It is a symbol of Longevity, happiness and best wishes in Chinese culture.

Beijing embroidery

Beijing embroidery, also known as royal embroidery was originated in the Tang Dynasty and flourishing in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. It was offered as decorations for the Royal palace and the clothing of the nobles in the feudal era. Beijing embroidery is different from other embroideries, due to its luxury, colors, fine workmanship and delicate materials.

Sugar figurine

Sugar figurine, which is made of a variety of shapes, figures, animals, and plants by sucrose and maltose, began in the Song Dynasty. In accordance with the production process, it was divided into blowing, painting and modeling. The craftsmen in old Beijing had been always working on the street. Sugar figurine is not only beautiful and of fun, but also tasty, which makes it a children's favorite.

Facial makeup

Facial makeup is the special-designed pattern drawn on actors/actresses' faces with a variety of colors in Chinese traditional operas. Different colors of facial makeup symbolize different personalities and roles in the opera. For example, red is the color of loyalty, integrity and courage; black suggests a serious and taciturn disposition with strength and roughness; white reveals a crafty and suspicious character; a blue face is outspoken and defiant, and so on.

‘Monkey’art

‘Monkey ’art is an old tradition of handicrafts in Beijing, which reflects the life and work of the old city. ‘Monkey ’art is made of the bud of Magnolia flowers and cicada slough. There is a layer of hair on the surface of Magnolia flower, which can be used for the monkey’s body. Cicada slough can be used for monkey’s head and limbs. A beautiful “monkey” will be done when these two parts are pasted together.

Kite

In 5th century BC, Chinese people began to fly kites, which was made of bamboo and wood chips previously and with a variety of shapes and colors of paper now. Ching Ming (Tomb-sweeping Day) is a good time for kite-flying for adults and children. In ancient times, people wrote their names on the kite, and then cut the line while it was flying to take away their bad luck.

Dough figurine

Dough Figurine is a simple folk handicraft demonstrating high artistic quality. Wheat and rice flour are used as the main raw materials, mixed into different colors with the use of preservatives and mildew-proof processing. Artists create a variety of lifelike images by their hands and simple tools.

Fire gourd painting

Fire gourd painting, also known as ironing painting, is to etch a pattern onto the cover of objects with a hot iron. In ancient times it was etched onto bamboo articles, the coverings of fans or the surface of the furniture, in order to cover up their unsightliness. This skill was gradually moved onto gourds because gourd in Mandarin sounds like the word of good luck and fortune.