China’s Maritime Silk Road began when Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty sent Zhang Qian as envoy to the Western Regions, from Southeast Asia to India, crossed the Indian Ocean, entered the Persian Gulf, and then reached Arabia and other places. It has so far It has a history of more than two thousand years.
In the Ming Dynasty, due to the invasion of European colonists and the opening of Zhangzhou Yuegang in Fujian to private ports, Chinese fabrics were transported to the American continent via the Pacific Ocean. Then transported across the Atlantic to various parts of Europe, this gradually formed a global trade route running through the East and West.
Due to the development of the Silk Road, Chinese and Western art merged.
As one of the commodities in foreign trade, Chinese silk fabrics are continuously transported to the world and are widely loved by people from all over the world.
This article will introduce the brocade culture from the two perspectives of transportation and unearthed cultural relics, combined with the Maritime Silk Road.
What is brocade?
Brocade, simply put, is to use dyed colored threads to weave patterned fabrics through processes such as jacquard and weaving.
According to records, silk fabrics began to appear in China as early as the Yin and Shang Dynasties.
The silk fabric patterns in the Zhou Dynasty were very colorful and the technology was relatively skilled. In the Han Dynasty, weaving rooms began to be set up specifically for palace production. Because silk fabrics Influenced by the Silk Road, after Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, Chinese brocades were introduced to countries around the world through the Silk Road.
①Nanjing Yunjin
In the Southern Jin Dynasty, a government office (Jin Shu) was specially set up to manage brocade. With a history of more than 1,600 years, Nanjing Yunjin is one of the most famous silk handicrafts.
Among the ancient silk fabrics, “brocade” embodies the fabric with the highest technical level and is one of the most precious historical and cultural heritage of the Chinese nation.
Until now, Yunjin still maintains the traditional hand-weaving craftsmanship and cannot be replaced by machines.
China’s exquisite silk fabrics have become the most representative commodities because of the Silk Road, andNanjing Yunjin is also one of the products of civilization that best reflects the technology and art of that time.
②Sichuan Shu Brocade
Sichuan was called in ancient times “Shu” is also the earliest origin of the sericulture and silk industry.
Shu brocade is the oldest type of brocade. It originated in the Qin and Han Dynasties and flourished in the Tang and Song Dynasties. It was named after it was produced in Shu. Under the influence of the Silk Road, Shu brocade was continuously exported to the outside world, which not only accelerated the development of the silk industry, but also enhanced the exchanges between Eastern and Western cultures.
The combined patterns in Shu brocade often contain auspiciousness, wishful thinking, etc. It has also become an important feature of our brocade patterns, What is embroidered is a pattern, but what is woven into it is the soul of the Chinese nation, and it is also a kind of spirituality. inherited.
③ Suzhou Song Jin
Song brocade is produced in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province. It is named after its unique weaving technology and was woven in the Northern Song Dynasty.
It is divided into heavy brocade and fine brocade. Heavy brocade is generally used for palace furnishings, while fine brocade is used for clothing.
Suzhou Song Brocade is known as the “Crown of Brocades”, and together with the Nanjing Yun Brocade and Sichuan Shu Brocade mentioned just now, it is known as the three most famous brocades in my country.
The texture of Song brocade is more precise and detailed, and the color is relatively bright, with a classical charm.
Looking at the relationship between brocade and the Silk Road from the perspective of transportation in different dynasties:
First glance at this unearthed cultural relic , I felt the strong exotic atmosphere. The pattern in the picture is called “Lianzhu Tuanhu”.
The linked beads pattern on the outside is very unique, and the outside of the tuan nest is decorated with a cross flower pattern. The pattern in the group nest is a winged horse pattern.
The winged horse is Poseid, the god of the sea in ancient Greek mythology Pegasus, the son of Winter and Medusa, is a winged horse. It is said that spring water will flow out wherever his horse’s hooves step on it, and those who drink it will gain inspiration.
The Silk Road allowed Chinese and Western cultures to blend, bringing the mysterious religious atmosphere and exotic customs into cotton design.
The cultural significance of brocade culture and the “Maritime Silk Road”
The Maritime Silk Road brought my country’s brocade culture to the world. The continuous development of maritime trade allowed the world to understand the civilization of the Chinese nation.
Since Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty sent Zhang Qian as an envoy to the Western Regions, the Maritime Silk Road has gradually turned into a global trade route running through the east and west. It allows silk fabrics, the product of Chinese culture, to be continuously transported to all corners of the world, allowing Chinese and Western arts to blend.
Bamboo tapestry that combines “painting” and “weaving” Through a large number of graphic arts, exquisite handcrafts, and under the influence of the Maritime Silk Road, Chinese traditional culture and Western culture are combined to create a Unique work of art.
The Maritime Silk Road brought silk and goods, as well as the integration of nationalities.
Our joint efforts will make the flowers of folk culture bloom more and more brightly, and make the cultural spring of the Chinese nation eternal.
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Our joint efforts will make the flowers of folk culture bloom more and more brightly, and make the cultural spring of the Chinese nation eternal.
