Editor's Note:

Throughout the long history of Hainan, different cultural treasures have emerged in many parts of the island. This series, titled ‘Rebirth of Cultural Relics’, will systematically sort through these ancient wonders, delve deeply into the stories and meanings behind them, and bring them back to life as more and more people begin to understand what makes them so special.

Once, there were special quilts that were sent as tribute to the imperial courts of different Chinese dynasties by the Li people of Hainan. These quilts were not made to keep you warm in bed. Instead, they bear witness to the cultural exchange between the Li and Han peoples. In this episode of Rebirth of Relics, we will introduce you to the family of the Li Dragon Quilts.

Rebirth

Hello everyone, I’m a Li Dragon Quilt. The Li Dragon Quilts are considered the pinnacle of the Li Brocade art. In our Dragon Quilt family, you can see many auspicious patterns of the Han people, such as dragons, phoenixes, and carp. This gives us a glimpse of the cultural exchange between the Li and Han peoples.

This Qing Dynasty Carp Leaping Over the Dragon Gate Li Dragon Quilt is made of three panels that have been stitched together, and features a blue-black background and patterns embroidered with red, white, purple, green, and yellow threads. The rectangular frame is composed of a repeating, recursive pattern. The main pattern inside the frame is composed of double dragons and carp leaping over the Dragon Gate, and the outer edge is decorated with different floral patterns, making this a rare, exquisite Dragon Quilt.

Class 1 Cultural Relic: Qing Dynasty Five Dragons of the Sea Li Brocade

Imperial Court Tributes Bear Witness to Cultural Exchange

Although these relics are called Dragon Quilts, they were not made for the emperor’s bed. They are a unique tapestry art of the Li people, a type of Li Brocade usually made to serve as tribute or decoration.

The Dragon Quilt is one of the most technically difficult and intricate types of Li Brocade, involving all four of the traditional skills of the art: spinning, dyeing, weaving, and embroidery. These masterpieces were once sent as tribute from the Li people to the imperial court.

A Li Brocade artisan demonstrates the craft.

The origin of the Dragon Quilt is closely tied to the development of the art of Li Brocade. During the Song Dynasty period, the textile industry of the Li people had already reached a high level of development, and the traditional design and method of making Li Brocades follows the style of this era.

By the time of the late Ming Dynasty, China’s maritime industry was developing rapidly, and Hainan Island became better connected with the rest of the country. At this time, the traditional patterns of the Han culture were woven into Dragon Quilt designs, showing how China’s national culture had deeply permeated all parts of the country.

Li Brocade: A Colorful Past and a Bright Future

In 2006, the ‘Traditional Spinning, Dyeing, Weaving, and Embroidery Skills of the Li People’ were included on China’s first National Intangible Cultural Heritage Arts List. At that time, as some raw materials and processes were no longer sustainable, the art of creating Dragon Quilts was almost lost, and the traditional spinning, dyeing, weaving, and embroidery arts of the Li people nearly died out.

The hand-spun cotton thread used to create Li Brocade.

In 2009, the ‘Traditional Spinning, Dyeing, Weaving, and Embroidery Skills of the Li People’ were added to the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding. Thanks to hard work by all involved, in 2019 the Tai Chi Bagua Qilin Phoenix Auspicious Li Brocade was successfully replicated, and technical specifications for the replication and popularization of the art were created.

On Dec. 5, 2024, UNESCO transferred the ‘Traditional Spinning, Dyeing, Weaving, and Embroidery Skills of the Li People’ from the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding to the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.