In the heart of China's Shandong Province, artisans in Heze City's Caoxian County are breathing life into history through an unlikely medium: peony flowers. Using humble materials like dough, paper, and wood, local inheritors of intangible culture transform raw elements into intricate floral art that captures daily life and folklore.
The craft, passed down through generations, sees renewed vitality as young apprentices learn alongside masters. 'It's a delicate dance of hands shaping dough into petals and stories,' says one third-generation artisan, whose family has preserved the tradition since the 1950s. The peony—a symbol of prosperity in Chinese culture—serves as both muse and bridge between past and present.
Heze, often called China's peony capital, now blends heritage with modern appeal. Workshops attract cultural enthusiasts while sustaining local livelihoods. Recent initiatives documenting these techniques aim to safeguard them for future generations, proving that tradition thrives not through preservation alone, but through adaptation and shared passion.
