Chinese hair embroidery uses human hair instead of silk thread to create ultra-fine portraits
Por Fran Lu — South China Morning Post – News feed
Advertisement Trending in China People & Culture Trending in China Chinese hair embroidery uses human hair instead of silk thread to create ultra-fine portraits
Some artists split the hair into finer strands or blend it with silk and gold threads for expressionistic effects
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Fran Lu in Beijing Published: 6:00pm, 1 Oct 2026
While China’s iconic silk embroidery is world-renowned for its exquisite detail and painterly effects, an even more meticulous traditional technique surpasses it.
Originating in Dongtai, located in eastern China’s Jiangsu province, during the Tang dynasty (618–907), hair embroidery relies on the incredibly fragile medium of human hair. With a rich history spanning over 1,000 years, a single intricate piece can take skilled artisans anywhere from several months to multiple years to complete.
It is said that young women in Dongtai first used their own hair to weave images of Buddha as a demonstration of their piety.
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