Chinese Dragon in Folk Art: Dough Figurine

By Wang Ruoxin, Wang Jinhong, Zhang Junye

Dough figurine, a time-honored folk art, is hailed as the "living fossil of traditional Chinese art." The fourth episode of “Chinese Dragon in Folk Art” will lead the audience into the Wuhan Dough Figurine Base, known as "Yisu Fang," to discover the dragons within dough figurines.

According to Liu Jie, a master of arts and crafts in Hubei Province and a representative inheritor of Wuhan dough figurine intangible cultural heritage, dough figurines are closely intertwined with people's lives. They first appeared in sacrificial ceremonies and festive banquets, with written records dating back to the Han Dynasty, accumulating a history of nearly 2000 years.

To welcome the Year of the Dragon, Liu Jie has created a special red Chinese dragon-themed dough figurine. Inspired by ancient structures like the Nine-Dragon Wall, this piece not only showcases exceptional dough figurine craftsmanship but also conveys heartfelt wishes for the prosperity and success of the motherland. Through this artwork, he extends warm wishes to the people of the country for a vibrant and promising future.