在山西高平，流传着一项古老而精湛的民间手工技艺——高平绣活。作为国家级非物质文化遗产，这项民间技艺不仅承载着晋东南地区的民俗密码，更在经纬交织间诉说着华夏文明的瑰丽篇章。
In Gaoping, Shanxi Province, there is a long-standing and exquisite folk handicraft known as Gaoping embroidery. As a national intangible cultural heritage, this folk art not only carries the folk customs of the southeastern part of Shanxi but also tells the magnificent chapters of Chinese civilisation through the interweaving of warp and weft.
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匠／绣／巧 / 慧
绣韵悠长
高平绣活的历史可以追溯到明代中期。高平在历史上就遍植桑麻，缫丝养蚕，妇女们大多能纺善绣，她们用灵巧的双手，将对生活的热爱与向往绣入每一寸丝帛之中。
高平绣活与当地的婚丧嫁娶、小孩满月等民间习俗紧密相连，是当地民俗文化不可或缺的一部分。
匠／绣／巧 / 慧
Every stitch and thread weaves the splendid chapter of intangible cultural heritage, each stitch concealing the artisan's dedication and perseverance.
The history of Gaoping embroidery can be traced back to the middle of the Ming Dynasty. Gaoping has been widely cultivating mulberry and hemp throughout history, and women there have been skilled at spinning and embroidery. With their dexterous hands, they embroidered their love and yearning for life into every inch of silk and satin. Gaoping embroidery is closely linked to local customs such as weddings, funerals, and the first birthday of children, and is an indispensable part of the local folk culture.
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匠／绣／巧 / 慧
穿针引线
高平绣活与当地的婚丧嫁娶、小孩满月等民间习俗紧密相连，是当地民俗文化不可或缺的一部分。
高平刺绣分丝线绣和布贴绣两种类型。丝线绣有平针绣、打籽绣、盘金绣、披金绣等针法，平针绣表现力丰富，打籽绣结实耐磨，盘金绣、披金绣则效果富丽堂皇。布贴绣是对服装裁剪剩余布头加以利用，将布头剪裁成一定图形，堆贴在底面上锁边而成，成品朴素大方，色彩艳丽。
匠／绣／巧 / 慧
Every stitch and thread weaves the splendid chapter of intangible cultural heritage, each stitch concealing the artisan's dedication and perseverance.
Gao Ping embroidery is closely linked to local customs such as weddings, funerals, and the celebration of a baby's first month, and is an indispensable part of the local folk culture. Gao Ping embroidery is divided into two types: silk thread embroidery and fabric patch embroidery. Silk thread embroidery includes techniques such as flat stitch embroidery, seed stitch embroidery, gold thread embroidery, and gold thread overlay embroidery. Flat stitch embroidery is rich in expression, seed stitch embroidery is durable and wear-resistant, and gold thread embroidery and gold thread overlay embroidery are magnificent in effect. Fabric patch embroidery makes use of leftover fabric from clothing cutting, cutting the fabric into certain shapes and sewing them onto the base fabric to form a lock stitch. The finished product is simple and elegant, with bright colours.
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匠／绣／巧 / 慧
图案赏析
高平绣活的题材广泛，内容丰富。
花卉瓜果：牡丹、莲花、梅花、桃花、石榴、佛手、葡萄等是高平绣活中常见的花卉瓜果图案。这些图案通常寓意着吉祥、美好和幸福。例如，牡丹象征着富贵荣华，莲花寓意着纯洁高雅，石榴代表着多子多福。
虫鱼鸟兽：蝴蝶、蜜蜂、蜻蜓、鱼、鸟、凤凰、麒麟、狮子、老虎等虫鱼鸟兽也是高平绣活的重要图案元素。这些图案寓意着吉祥、幸福、长寿和美好。例如，蝴蝶象征着爱情和美满，鱼寓意着年年有余，凤凰代表着吉祥如意，麒麟象征着祥瑞和幸福。
戏曲人物：高平绣活中常常出现一些传统戏曲人物图案，如《三娘教子》《白蛇传》《转云山》《杨家将》等。这些图案通过刺绣的形式展现了戏曲人物的形象和故事情节，具有浓郁的地方特色和文化内涵。
吉祥文字：高平绣活中常常会绣上一些吉祥文字，如“福”“禄”“寿”“喜”“财”“吉”“祥”等。这些文字寓意着人们对美好生活的向往和追求，具有浓郁的传统文化内涵。
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匠／绣／巧 / 慧
Every stitch and thread weaves the splendid chapter of intangible cultural heritage, each stitch concealing the artisan's dedication and perseverance.
The subjects of Gaoping embroidery are extensive, and the contents are rich.
Flowers and fruits: Peony, lotus, plum blossom, peach blossom, pomegranate, Buddha's hand, grape, etc., are common patterns of flowers and fruits in Gaoping embroidery. These patterns usually symbolise auspiciousness, beauty and happiness. For example, peony symbolises wealth and honour, lotus implies purity and elegance, and pomegranate represents having many children and much happiness.
Insects, fish, birds and beasts: Butterflies, bees, dragonflies, fish, birds, phoenixes, qilins, lions, tigers and other creatures are also important pattern elements of Gaoping embroidery. These patterns symbolise auspiciousness, happiness, longevity and beauty. For instance, butterflies symbolise love and marital bliss, fish imply an abundance every year, phoenixes represent good fortune and auspiciousness, and qilins symbolise auspiciousness and happiness.
Traditional opera characters: Traditional opera character patterns often appear in Gao Ping embroidery, such as "Three Ladies Educating Their Sons", "The Legend of the White Snake", "Zhuanyun Mountain", "The Yang Family Generals", etc. These patterns present the images and storylines of the opera characters through embroidery, featuring strong local characteristics and cultural connotations.
In the embroidery of Gaoping, auspicious characters such as "Fu" (happiness), "Lu" (prosperity), "Shou" (longevity), "Xi" (joy), "Cai" (wealth), "Ji" (good luck), and "Xiang" (auspiciousness) are often embroidered. These characters symbolise people's yearning and pursuit of a better life and carry rich traditional cultural connotations.
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匠／绣／巧 / 慧
薪火相传
2008年，“高平绣活”入选第二批国家级非物质文化遗产名录。
近年来，高平绣活持续焕发新生。绣工们积极探索传统技艺与现代设计的融合之路，打造出既时尚又实用的新型绣品。同时，他们还不断尝试运用新材料和新技法，让高平绣活在传承经典的同时，更好地满足现代人的审美追求。
高平绣活，这门古老而精湛的手工技艺，记录着岁月的变迁与时代的更迭。用千丝万缕织就出一幅幅绚烂多彩的画卷，让我们在欣赏美丽艺术品的同时，也深深感受到中华优秀传统文化的博大精深。
匠／绣／巧 / 慧
Every stitch and thread weaves the splendid chapter of intangible cultural heritage, each stitch concealing the artisan's dedication and perseverance.
In 2008, "Gaoping Embroidery" was included in the second batch of the National Intangible Cultural Heritage List.
In recent years, Gaoping embroidery has been continuously rejuvenated. Embroiderers have been actively exploring the integration of traditional techniques with modern designs, creating new types of embroidery that are both fashionable and practical. At the same time, they have been constantly trying out new materials and techniques, enabling Gaoping embroidery to not only carry forward the classics but also better meet the aesthetic pursuits of modern people.
Gao Ping embroidery, an ancient and exquisite handicraft, records the changes of time and the evolution of eras. With countless threads, it weaves splendid and colourful pictures, allowing us to appreciate the beauty of the artworks while deeply feeling the profoundness and vastness of China's excellent traditional culture.
