Embroidery has held a special place in cultures around the world for thousands of years. While its origins are unclear, there are surviving examples from China, which are estimated to have been created as early as the 5th-3rd century BC. Evidence also points to the presence of embroidery in Ancient Egypt, the Middle East, pre-historical Japan and South America.
Embroidery is a folk art and has been a symbol of prestige around the world and has survived as such for many years. This isn't all of them, but here are some ideas of embroidery throughout the globe.
Medieval Europe held embroidery in high esteem as it was used by nuns to record history. The Bayeaux Tapestry is 20 inches high and 250 feet long and contains embroidered pictures of the Norman Invasion of Britain, the Battle of Hastings and William the Conqueror. While called a tapestry, it is, in fact, an embroidered cloth
In Mongolia today, Kazakh women begin working on elaborate embroidered wall hangings when their children are very young to serve as a future wedding present. Kazakhs live in tents called 'ger', and use the hangings to line the inner walls, hiding the wooden lattice framework from view and providing insulation plus cheerful and colorful decoration.
The Kazakh women use a hand chain stitch technique while using a special bradle tool. They select a traditional design with bright geometric patterns. One panel is always blank to give honor to the Muslim belief that only God can make something perfect and complete. Each hanging is individual and unique because they embroider names, dates, and symbolic protections while all along keeping them a part of ancient tradition.
A young girl in the Qiang nation of China is taught at a young age the symbolism of embroidery. She is to learn this embroidery and have it mastered by the time she is married. When older, her embroidery will determine her diligence, dexterity and intelligence. The symbolism she may embroider into a piece for her love interest may be on a cigarette case or flying birds to show lasting love. The elderly may receive pieces that show symbols of health. Children might receive pieces with flowers to show growth or something to protect them from evil spirits. - 32000
Embroidery is a folk art and has been a symbol of prestige around the world and has survived as such for many years. This isn't all of them, but here are some ideas of embroidery throughout the globe.
Medieval Europe held embroidery in high esteem as it was used by nuns to record history. The Bayeaux Tapestry is 20 inches high and 250 feet long and contains embroidered pictures of the Norman Invasion of Britain, the Battle of Hastings and William the Conqueror. While called a tapestry, it is, in fact, an embroidered cloth
In Mongolia today, Kazakh women begin working on elaborate embroidered wall hangings when their children are very young to serve as a future wedding present. Kazakhs live in tents called 'ger', and use the hangings to line the inner walls, hiding the wooden lattice framework from view and providing insulation plus cheerful and colorful decoration.
The Kazakh women use a hand chain stitch technique while using a special bradle tool. They select a traditional design with bright geometric patterns. One panel is always blank to give honor to the Muslim belief that only God can make something perfect and complete. Each hanging is individual and unique because they embroider names, dates, and symbolic protections while all along keeping them a part of ancient tradition.
A young girl in the Qiang nation of China is taught at a young age the symbolism of embroidery. She is to learn this embroidery and have it mastered by the time she is married. When older, her embroidery will determine her diligence, dexterity and intelligence. The symbolism she may embroider into a piece for her love interest may be on a cigarette case or flying birds to show lasting love. The elderly may receive pieces that show symbols of health. Children might receive pieces with flowers to show growth or something to protect them from evil spirits. - 32000
