Silk Velvet Flowers: A Thousand-Year Tradition
Silk velvet flowers (绒花.), or Rong Hua, are delicate hair decorations made from silkworm silk threads and thin copper wires. These intricate pieces have a history of over a thousand years.
The name “Rong Hua” (绒花.) sounds phonetically similar to “Rong Hua” (荣华), which means “wealth and splendor” in Chinese. This dual meaning reflects the grandeur and elegance of silk velvet flowers. Historically, these hair ornaments were reserved for royal women, earning them the title “Gong Hua” (宫花), or “Royal Flowers.” Their exclusive use by the imperial court symbolized prestige, opulence, and status. As time passed, silk velvet flowers transcended the confines of the palace and became cherished by people outside the court, especially for joyous occasions. They were often referred to as “Xi Hua” (喜花), or “Happy Flowers,” due to their association with celebrations, weddings, and other auspicious events.
Creating silk velvet flowers is a highly labor-intensive process, requiring skill, patience, and precision. The journey begins with silkworm silk threads, which undergo several preparation steps:
Cooking and Dyeing: The raw silk threads are boiled to remove impurities and then dyed into the desired vibrant colours.
Thread Arrangement: The dyed threads are arranged flat and secured using thin copper wires. This step ensures the threads remain evenly aligned for the next stages.
Cutting and Twisting: The silk threads, now secured with copper wires, are cut into strips and twisted to form slender sticks. These sticks serve as the structural foundation for the petals, leaves, and other components.
Shaping and Ironing: Using precise cuts and shapes, the artisan carefully crafts individual petals and leaves. These elements are then ironed flat to achieve their delicate, lifelike appearance.
Assembly: The petals, leaves, and other components are meticulously arranged and bound together to create the final flower. Each piece is crafted with the final design in mind, ensuring harmony and balance.
Attachment: The completed silk velvet flower is attached to a comb, pin, or other accessory, ready to adorn the wearer.
The creation of a single silk velvet flower can take hours or even days, depending on the complexity of the design. They represent a unique intersection of art and functionality. Their petals, leaves, and twigs can be gently bent and shaped to the owner’s preference, and flowers can be displayed in full bloom or delicately closed. They offer versatility and personalisation, bringing a touch of traditional Chinese craftsmanship into everyday life.
