Artist keeps the art of creating Nanjing velvet flower alive

The art of making ronghua, or velvet flower, dates back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907). It refers to the creation of not only floral displays, but also animal shapes made by silk on a twisted wire frame.

Ronghua, homophonic of wealth and glory, was a popular decoration in festivals or weddings in ancient China. The beautiful designs also won the hearts of China's fashion-conscious.

Zhao Shuxian, a craftsman, is striving to keep the ancient Chinese art of velvet flower making alive. Born and raised in Nanjing, East China's Jiangsu province, Zhao began his career as a ronghua creator at a State-owned factory more than 40 years ago when he was 19.

Now, due to changes in people's tastes and production methods, Zhao is one of the few people still making velvet flowers. In 2006, Nanjing velvet flower was included in the Intangible Cultural Heritage List of Jiangsu Province.