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Chinese Folk Toys |
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As an indispensable part of traditional folk art, toys are a unique expression of the long and uninterrupted Chinese history. Religious beliefs, world view, taste, classical works and local customs, especially festivals and the “Four Great Classical Chinese Literatures”, are alls represented by the use of various techniques requiring artisans’ deepest wisdom and creativity. The advantage is that the greater majority of people can enjoy the pleasure of toys that are easier to make and more widely available than other artistic works such as jade or silver wares, as they tend to utilize common articles that are readily available, such as cloth, grass, straw, lay, paper, and so on. Even so, it should be noted that these toys are not coarse manufactures, but of rustic simplicity and vivacity.
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Toys during festivals are quite flowery and customary. In the Spring Festival, people use firecrackers and fireworks; in the Lantern Festival, there are lanterns in the shape of lotus, monkeys, dragons, etc; in the Pure Brightness festival kites will be flown in the blue sky; and during the Dragon Boat Festival, people will take sachet with them. Old people’s sachet looks like a peach, symbolizing longevity while children’s sachets are of lovely patterns, with fragrant herbs inside to ward off evil spirits. In ancient times, they were also a token of love that a girl would give to her beloved. |
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During the very early period of Chinese cultural development, the ancestors had worshiped the immortals. Rope, pronounced  as “Sheng”, shared a similar pronunciation with the word for gods (“Shen” in Chinese), and when written, it looked like a dragon, an auspicious animal in Chinese culture; knots, in Chinese “jie” means vigor, harmony, and unification. Therefore, this unique Chinese knots artwork has been a popular gift for thousands of years and embodies best wishes. People wore it in the beginning as a decorative addition to clothing, and later, used it to decorate their houses.
Though the weaving techniques are complicated, ropes, in hands of a deft craftsman appear effortless moving the shuttle in between the rows of ropes.
A Chinese knot is usually symmetrical in structure and colorful with jade or porcelain beads. This no doubt, adds more jubilation to any festive atmosphere. |
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| For Chinese who attach a great importance to the development of children’s wisdom, jigsaw puzzle (“Qiqiaoban”) might be the most ideal choice. Composed of 7 pieces in a certain shape, this toy requires one’s brain exertion to join those pieces into a given pattern without leaving any gaps. The puzzle ring is another well-known game. It is said to originate from the Warring States Period (476-221 BC). Appearing to be one of the most incomprehensible games in the human history, it even aroused the attention of Western mathematicians. To separate the nine rings which are buckled together or to join separated nine rings together is quite intricate indeed. |
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Besides being for play, folk toys can also be of practical use, as part of finery, bedding and foodstuff. Children love animal-shaped pillows or hats. Today, the mascot of Asian Games 2008 in Guangzhou is the lovely sheep hat to numerous zealots. For the foodstuff, flour’s plasticity helps people’s imagination come true. In Shanxi province, people are still experts at streaming flour figures. Suppose how pleasant they will be when seeing vivid edible flour rabbis and pigs. |
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