Mianhua (Wenxi huamo)

Name of China's national intangible cultural heritage: Mianhua (Wenxi huamo)

Applicant: Wenxi County, Shanxi Province

Project No.: 829

Project No.: Ⅶ - 53

Time of publication: 2008 (second batch)

Category: traditional art

Region: Shanxi Province

Type: new item

Applicant: Wenxi County, Shanxi Province

Protection unit: Wenxi people's Cultural Center

Brief introduction of Mianhua (Wenxi huamo)

Applicant: Wenxi County, Shanxi Province

The common name of dough sculpture is huamo, wowowohua and Gaohua, also known as dough sculpture. It is a kind of traditional food sculpture art popular in Shandong, Shanxi, Henan, Shaanxi, Gansu and other northern regions, and it is also a kind of festival art very close to people's life. The origin of Mianhua is closely related to the traditional folk diet and beliefs and customs. The relics of Tang Dynasty dough sculpture unearthed from Astana tomb in Turpan, Xinjiang, show that this folk art has a long history of development in China. In the northern region, dough sculpture has a deep mass foundation. Every family will make dough according to local customs and practices during traditional festivals. These flour flower products have various forms and different postures, and have many functions, such as offering, viewing and eating. They can also be used as gifts for relatives and friends, and become an important medium of civil society communication. This spontaneous dough sculpture activity fully demonstrates the aesthetic ideal and artistic ability of the people, and makes the cultural tradition contained in the folk customs naturally inherited and highlighted. Different customs and customs all over the country result in the rich expression forms and distinctive regional characteristics of flour flower art. The unique shape and colorful color of flour flower products make the cultural space of traditional festivals beautiful.

Wenxi huamo is a traditional food sculpture art popular in Wenxi County, Shanxi Province. It has a long history and is closely related to the local traditional customs. It is widely used in festivals, sacrifices, weddings, birthdays, funerals, Shangliang, housewarming and other folk activities. Wenxi huamo has neither a model for reference nor an existing sample as a basis. It is made by skillful women, so it is known as "mother's art". When making, first use the harmonious surface to create various ingenious shapes, and then point the water color as decoration. Steamed steamed buns are full in shape, bright in color and full of vitality. Wenxi huamo is exquisitely made and has unique charm, which is deeply loved by the local people. With the in-depth development of market economy, Wenxi huamo has entered the commodity market as a famous local product reflecting the local cultural characteristics of Shanxi. It has been sold at home and abroad, and its reputation is growing with each passing day.