Taihang Peach Wood Crafts [Henan Xinxiang Specialty]

What is Taihang peach wood handicraft? Authentic Henan Xinxiang specialty: Taihang peach wood crafts

Content summary:Do you want to know what Taihang peach wood crafts are? This article is a detailed introduction toHenan Xinxiang specialty - Taihang peach wood crafts. It was compiled and edited by the editorial team of China Specialty Network after reviewing and collecting relevant information on Taihang peach wood crafts. The full text takes about 8 minutes to read, mainly including the basic introduction of Taihang peach wood crafts and the product characteristics of Taihang peach wood crafts? How did the history of Taihang peach wood handicrafts come about? The production methods of Taihang peach wood handicrafts, etc

Basic Introduction to Taihang Peach Wood Crafts

Peach wood is also known as "Dragon Subduing Wood" and "Ghostly Art", and is known as the divine wood. It holds an extremely important position in China's folk culture and beliefs, and is said to ward off disasters and evil spirits. Taihang peach wood handicrafts are high-quality Tang Zhuang peach wood crafts that are cut using modern technology to create tourism crafts. They are not only ancient artistic wonders, but also serve as spiritual support for dispelling evil and strengthening the body. The products include: Peach Wood Sword, Ruyi (Sleeping Ruyi, Standing Ruyi), Dragon Phoenix Chengxiang Platform Screen, Double Unicorn, Viewing Plate, Hanging Plate, Guan Gong, and Promotion of Official Rank

In terms of carving techniques, relief carving, through carving, and line carving are flexibly applied separately or comprehensively according to different themes and decorations, in order to express different forms of beauty, pursue the rigor and variation of the picture structure, and the fullness and balance of the composition. By changing and combining realistic images, a perfect combination of decoration and practicality has been achieved

"Living without peaches" is a unique Chinese culture that expresses people's longing and pursuit for good luck, peace, and longevity in life. Countrymen have a special preference for it, which is believed that peach wood can prevent ghosts and evil spirits. There are many myths and legends about peaches in ancient China, among which the most important legend is that there are two divine beings named Shentu and Yulei who are said to be able to cure evil spirits. So the people carved their appearance from peach wood and placed it at their doorstep to ward off evil and prevent harm. Later, people simply carved the names of Shentu and Yulei on peach wood boards, believing that doing so could also suppress evil and eliminate evil. This type of peach wood board was later called "peach talisman". Spring Festival couplets originated from "peach symbols". Although there are many mythological stories and superstitious elements in the descriptions of peaches in ancient Chinese culture, it is an undeniable fact that peach wood can ward off evil! Firstly, we need to understand what 'evil' is. Evil refers to impropriety, immorality, wickedness, evil thoughts, and heretical beliefs. Traditional Chinese Medicine refers to the environmental factors that cause diseases, including external factors such as wind, cold, heat, dampness, dryness, and fire Seven emotions, phlegm, drinking, blood stasis, etc. When evil qi invades the human body, it can cause illness, and illness is evil. Superstitious people refer to the disasters caused by ghosts and gods: evil spirits, strange and bizarre. Avoiding evil means avoiding or expelling evil spirits. Generally used as a superstitious term, it means to subdue demons and monsters so that they do not disturb people. In fact, the simplest way to say it is to ward off evil spirits is to eliminate diseases. In ancient times when medical technology was relatively backward, floods and fierce beasts were not the primary natural enemies threatening human survival, because humans had already mastered the laws of natural survival in their struggle with nature, and what ancient humans could not recognize and explain were "plagues and diseases". Causing extreme fear in people's hearts, believing that gods and ghosts are causing trouble, which is an invisible and ominous evil energy. Even with such advanced science today, there are still many people who don't go to the hospital and focus on their illnesses at home. However, in the process of humans constantly fighting against evil spirits to the death! Discovered that peach wood is a powerful weapon against evil spirits/(diseases) in certain aspects. This has led people to worship peach trees, to the point where "peach trees" play an irreplaceable role in people's hearts. In ancient times, peach trees were revered as "immortal trees"

The production method of Taihang peach wood handicrafts

Material processing

The processing of peach wood handicrafts materials includes the following steps: 1. Fully soak the selected peach wood blank in water, 2. Boil the soaked peach wood in water with caustic soda over high heat, and then continue to boil in boiling water for four to five hours. After boiling, immediately soak it in clean water until the peach wood no longer absorbs water. 3. Take out the cooked peach wood blank and place it in a cool and windless place to cool off some of the water naturally, so that it is basically set. Then place it in a ventilated and dry place for natural drying. 4. Then reinforce and bind the dried peach wood into bundles for drying. After treatment, the peach wood has a beautiful color, no cracking, no deformation, and no insect infestation

Traditional Craftsmanship

Hand carving first requires a good artwork, which determines the future fate of a peach wood craft. Carefully carved by experienced carvers. Secondly, after embryo cutting, rough carving, and fine carving, it is required to achieve a layered and dynamic design, coordinated proportions, stable center of gravity, and a strong overall sense. From bottom to top, from front to back, from the surface to the inside, from shallow to deep, layer by layer promotion is necessary. The knife technique should be smooth and skillful, with sufficient expressive power

Polishing

Using fine carving and thin knife techniques to remove knife marks and dirt from the fine blank, making the surface of the work delicate and perfect. Require clear and fine knife marks, whether smooth, straight, or rough, striving to accurately express the intention of the work

Polishing

According to the needs of the work, use woodworking sandpaper of different thicknesses to polish the wood carving. Request to use coarse sandpaper first, followed by fine sandpaper. Polish along the fiber direction of the wood until the desired effect is achieved

Coloring and polishing

Use a hard brush, small hard brush, and color mixing cylinder. Coloring pigments generally refer to water-soluble materials such as watercolor, watercolor, or shoe polish. Their characteristics are small coverage and strong permeability

Protection

Painting or waxing